The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who are the people that inhabited the house at 29 Arlington Avenue, Islington while Douglas Adams was living there?

the Arlingtonians

Who wrote this book?

Douglas Adams

What did most of the solutions for people's happiness concern?

the movement of small green pieces of paper (money)

How primitive are the people of Earth said to be?

so primitive that they still think digital watches are a 'pretty neat idea' Signup and view all the answers

Who realized that the people of Earth had it wrong and thought she could finally know how the world could be made a good and happy place?

a girl sitting in a small café in Rickmansworth Signup and view all the answers

Why was the café girl's idea lost forever?

a 'terrible, stupid catastrophe occurred' Signup and view all the answers

When was The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy finally seen by an Earthman?

when the terrible catastrophe occurred Signup and view all the answers

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was probably the most remarkable book ever to come out of which great publishing corporation?

Ursa Minor Signup and view all the answers

Why is The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy the standard repository of all knowledge and wisdom in the more relaxed civilizations of the galaxy? (Select all that apply)

It has the words DON'T PANIC inscribed in large friendly letters on its cover Signup and view all the answers

What does the story begin with?

It begins with a house. Signup and view all the answers

Who lived in the house mentioned at the beginning of the book?

Arthur Dent Signup and view all the answers

What does Arthur Dent see outside his house, and why?

bulldozers; the council wanted to knock down his house and build a bypass instead Signup and view all the answers

Why wasn't Arthur particularly worried about the bulldozers in front of his house?

homeboy was hung over from drinking too much at the pub the night before Signup and view all the answers

Who is Mr. L. Prosser a direct male-line descendant of?

Genghis Khan Signup and view all the answers

Why didn't Arthur know about the bypass until it was too late?

the council hadn't told anyone and the only place the notice could be found was in the cellar in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory Signup and view all the answers

What visions were Mr. Prosser often bothered with, and how did they make him feel?

basically psychotic visions of violent things; they made him feel nervous Signup and view all the answers

Where was Arthur Dent's closest friend (Ford Prefect) from?

a small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse Signup and view all the answers

What is Ford Prefect looking for?

a flying saucer to take him back to his home planet Betelgeuse Signup and view all the answers

Do they have sarcasm in Betelgeuse?

False Signup and view all the answers

Why do Arthur and Ford need to be at the pub when Ford tells him the 'most important thing he's ever heard'?

because he's going to need a stiff drink when he hears it, also because it will cushion his system from the matter transference beam Signup and view all the answers

What was the drinking game Ford had learned to play in the hyperspace ports that served the madranite mining belts in the star system of Orion Beta?

two contestants would sit either side of a table with a glass in front of them and try to telepathically tip their glass of Janx Spirit into their opponent's glass Signup and view all the answers

What deal does Ford make with Mr. Prosser?

That he will take Arthur to the pub if Mr. Prosser takes Arthur's place lying in front of the bulldozer Signup and view all the answers

What does The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy say about alcohol?

It says that the best drink in existence is the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Ford tell the barman of the Horse and Groom to hurry with his drink?

because the world is about to end Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characters and Entities

Arlingtonians: Residents of 29 Arlington Avenue, Islington, during Douglas Adams's time there.
Douglas Adams: Author of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."
Arthur Dent: Main character who lives at the initially mentioned house and is oblivious to impending bulldozer actions.
Ford Prefect: Arthur's closest friend, from a small planet near Betelgeuse, stranded on Earth while researching for the Guide.
Mr. L. Prosser: He is a direct descendant of Genghis Khan.

Themes and Concepts

Money: Significant influence over people's happiness, symbolized by the movement of small green pieces of paper.
Primitive Earth: Earth's inhabitants are described as primitive, believing digital watches to be a remarkable concept.
Missed Ideas: A café girl proposed ideas for improving the world, but the concept was lost due to a "terrible, stupid catastrophe."

Plot Points

Beginning: The story kicks off with the mention of Arthur Dent's house.
Bypass Plans: Arthur discovers bulldozers planning to demolish his house for a bypass, which he is unaware of due to a lack of proper notice.
Pub Importance: Ford insists they need to be at the pub for a vital piece of information, emphasizing it as a coping mechanism for the news about Earth's end.

Significant Events

Game Description: A drinking game played in hyperspace ports involving telepathic abilities to tip glasses.
Deal with Prosser: Ford convinces Mr. Prosser to lie down in front of the bulldozer in Arthur's place, unexpectedly convincing him.
Alcohol Reference: The Guide emphasizes that the Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster is the best drink, contrasting its informal approach with the more formal Encyclopedia Galactica.

Miscellaneous

Idea Loss: The café girl’s insights are irretrievably lost, illustrating the theme of missed opportunities.
Sarcasm on Betelgeuse: Ford shares that sarcasm does not exist on his home planet, highlighting cultural differences.
Pre-End Urgency: Ford's urgency for drinks stems from the impending destruction of Earth.

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Test your knowledge of key concepts and characters from 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.' This quiz includes important terms related to Douglas Adams and the themes of the book. Perfect for fans and students looking to deepen their understanding of this classic science fiction work.