A quiz is a short test or set of questions used to check what someone knows or remembers about a subject. Teachers give quizzes to see if students understand recent lessons. Unlike major tests, quizzes usually cover less material and count for fewer points toward your grade. A spelling quiz might have ten words instead of the fifty on a final test.

The word also means questioning someone, often in a persistent or curious way. A detective might quiz a witness about what they saw, or your parents might quiz you about where you've been. When used this way, it suggests asking several questions in a row, trying to get detailed information.

Quizzes aren't always serious. People enjoy trivia quizzes at parties or online, testing their knowledge of movies, geography, or random facts. Game shows like Jeopardy! are essentially quizzes for entertainment. These fun quizzes remind us that testing our knowledge can be enjoyable.

The informal term pop quiz refers to a surprise quiz given without warning. Teachers use pop quizzes to encourage students to keep up with their work daily, since you never know when one might appear. Being ready for a pop quiz means staying prepared all the time, keeping up with material continuously rather than cramming before announced tests.