GK Quiz Questions on Stanford University with Answers

Stanford University, officially known as Leland Stanford Junior University, stands as a beacon of academic prowess, innovation, and research. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, California, this private research university has consistently ranked among the world's leading institutions. Founded in 1885 by Leland and Jane Stanford in memory of their only child, Leland Jr., who died of typhoid fever at 15, the university opened its doors to students in 1891. From its inception, the Stanfords envisioned a coeducational, non-denominational, and practical institution, aiming "to qualify its students for personal success, and direct usefulness in life" and "to promote the public welfare by exercising an influence in behalf of humanity and civilization." Often referred to as "The Farm" due to its original use as the Stanfords' Palo Alto Stock Farm, the sprawling 8,180-acre campus is one of the largest in the United States, fostering a vibrant academic and social environment. Stanford's influence extends far beyond its picturesque campus, with its alumni and faculty making profound contributions across diverse fields, from technology and business to politics and the arts.

The Stanford University Quiz

This quiz will test your knowledge about Stanford University, covering its history, notable facts, traditions, and well-known alumni. See how well you know The Farm and its incredible legacy!

1. Who founded Stanford University?

a) Bill Gates and Paul Allen

b) Leland and Jane Stanford

c) John D. Rockefeller

d) Andrew Carnegie

Answer: b) Leland and Jane Stanford

Explanation: Leland Stanford, a railroad magnate, and his wife, Jane Stanford, founded the university in memory of their only son, Leland Stanford Junior, who died in his youth.

2. In what year did Stanford University officially open its doors to students?

a) 1876

b) 1885

c) 1891

d) 1906

Answer:  c) 1891

Explanation: While the university was founded in 1885, it officially welcomed its first students on October 1, 1891.

3. What is the unofficial nickname of the Stanford University campus, referencing its historical use?

a) The Orchard

b) The Ranch

c) The Farm

d) The Grove

Answer: c) The Farm

Explanation: The campus is affectionately known as "The Farm" because it was originally Stanford's Palo Alto Stock Farm, a site for breeding and training trotting horses.

4. Which major natural disaster significantly damaged the Stanford campus in its early years?

a) The Great Chicago Fire

b) The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

c) The Galveston Hurricane

d) The Mount St. Helens eruption

Answer: b) The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

Explanation: The devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake caused extensive damage to many of Stanford's original buildings, including Memorial Church

5. Which of the following is a well-known tradition at Stanford University, often involving students gathering on the Main Quad during the first full moon of the academic year?

a) The Big Game Bonfire

b) The Primal Scream

c) Full Moon on the Quad

d) The Wacky Walk

Answer: c) Full Moon on the Quad

Explanation: Full Moon on the Quad is a beloved tradition where students gather to exchange roses, serenades, and even kisses under the moonlight during the first full moon of the academic year.

6. Stanford University is located in which region of California, famously known as a global center for high technology and innovation?

a) Hollywood

b) Silicon Valley

c) Napa Valley

d) Death Valley

Answer: b) Silicon Valley

Explanation: Stanford University is strategically located in Silicon Valley, fostering a strong connection between academia and the thriving tech industry.

7. Which of these tech giants is famously co-founded by Stanford alumni Larry Page and Sergey Brin?

a) Microsoft

b) Apple

c) Google

d) Facebook

Answer: c) Google

Explanation: Larry Page and Sergey Brin met at Stanford while pursuing their Ph.D.s in computer science and went on to co-found Google.

8. What is the approximate size of the Stanford University main campus?

a) 500 acres

b) 2,000 acres

c) 8,180 acres

d) 15,000 acres

Answer:  b) Herbert Hoover

Explanation: Herbert Hoover, the 31st U.S. President, was a member of Stanford's Pioneer Class and the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace is named after him.

9. Which former U.S. President is a Stanford alumnus and the namesake of a prominent institution on campus dedicated to public policy research?

a) Franklin D. Roosevelt

b) Herbert Hoover

c) John F. Kennedy

d) Ronald Reagan

Answer: c) 8,180 acres

Explanation: Stanford boasts one of the largest university campuses in the United States, covering approximately 8,180 acres.

10. What is Stanford University's athletic mascot?

a) The Cardinals

b) The Bears

c) The Tigers

d) The Elephants

Answer: a) The Cardinal

Explanation: Stanford's athletic teams are known as the "Stanford Cardinal," a colour, not an animal.