Dewey Decimal Classification Quiz
1. Who invented the Dewey Decimal Classification system?
- A) Charles Ammi Cutter
- B) Melvil Dewey
- C) Paul Otlet
- D) Benjamin A. Custer
Answer: B) Melvil Dewey
Description: The Dewey Decimal Classification system was invented by Melvil Dewey in 1876 while he was working at the Amherst College library.
2. What is the main purpose of the Dewey Decimal Classification system?
- A) To arrange books based on their popularity
- B) To organize books in libraries by their subject
- C) To categorize books alphabetically by author
- D) To store books in digital formats
Answer: B) To organize books in libraries by their subject
Description: The Dewey Decimal Classification system organizes books into categories based on their subject, making it easier to locate specific topics within the library.
3. What is the latest edition of the Dewey Decimal Classification system?
- A) 22nd edition
- B) 23rd edition
- C) 24th edition
- D) 25th edition
Answer: B) 23rd edition
Description: The latest printed edition of the Dewey Decimal Classification is the 23rd edition, published in 2011. OCLC also maintains a continuously updated online version, WebDewey.
4. What is the function of the “Auxiliary numbers” in the Dewey Decimal Classification system?
- A) To provide additional author details
- B) To identify a specific book’s popularity
- C) To extend the classification system to specific topics, like geography or biography
- D) To specify the book’s edition
Answer: C) To extend the classification system to specific topics, like geography or biography
Description: Auxiliary numbers allow the Dewey Decimal Classification system to further specify subjects, such as including a geographic or biographical detail within a more general subject class.
5. How many classes are there in the Dewey Decimal Classification system?
- A) 5
- B) 8
- C) 10
- D) 15
Answer: C) 10
Description: The Dewey Decimal Classification system consists of 10 main classes, which are divided further into divisions and sections.
6. Who was the first editor of the Dewey Decimal Classification system after Melvil Dewey?
- A) May Seymour
- B) Dorcas Fellows
- C) Milton Ferguson
- D) Joan Mitchell
Answer: A) May Seymour
Description: May Seymour was the first editor after Melvil Dewey, and she served as the editor until her death in 1921.
7. Which organization currently maintains and updates the Dewey Decimal Classification system?
- A) The American Library Association (ALA)
- B) The Library of Congress
- C) OCLC
- D) The Lake Placid Club Educational Foundation
Answer: C) OCLC
Description: OCLC, a non-profit organization, currently maintains and updates the Dewey Decimal Classification system and offers access to it via WebDewey.
8. What is the primary difference between the full and abridged versions of the Dewey Decimal Classification?
- A) The abridged version has fewer classes
- B) The abridged version is meant for smaller libraries
- C) The full version uses more decimals for classification
- D) The full version only applies to public libraries
Answer: B) The abridged version is meant for smaller libraries
Description: The abridged version of the Dewey Decimal Classification is designed for smaller libraries with fewer books, making it easier to use than the full edition.
9. What is the purpose of the “Cutter number” in the Dewey Decimal Classification system?
- A) To indicate the book’s publication date
- B) To categorize books by geographic region
- C) To distinguish books by the author within the same topic
- D) To identify the genre of a book
Answer: C) To distinguish books by the author within the same topic
Description: The “Cutter number” is used to distinguish books by the same author within the same topic, preventing confusion among works on the same subject.
10. In which year did the first electronic version of the Dewey Decimal Classification system appear?
- A) 1988
- B) 1993
- C) 2000
- D) 2011
Answer: B) 1993
Description: The first electronic version of the Dewey Decimal Classification system was created in 1993, marking a significant shift towards digital access.
11. Which of the following is the correct notation for the “Mathematics” category in the Dewey Decimal Classification?
- A) 520
- B) 510
- C) 505
- D) 500
Answer: B) 510
Description: The Dewey Decimal Classification system uses the notation “510” for Mathematics, which is a part of the Natural Sciences class (500).
12. Which section of the Dewey Decimal Classification covers “Religion”?
- A) 100
- B) 200
- C) 300
- D) 400
Answer: B) 200
Description: The “Religion” section of the Dewey Decimal Classification is categorized under the 200 class.
13. What is the main challenge faced by larger libraries with the Dewey Decimal Classification system?
- A) It is too simple
- B) It is difficult to amend and complex
- C) It does not have enough categories
- D) It is not widely used
Answer: B) It is difficult to amend and complex
Description: Large libraries often find the Dewey Decimal Classification complex and difficult to amend due to its size and the sheer number of categories and subcategories.
14. What was the key feature introduced by Dewey’s system that differed from traditional library systems?
- A) Books were classified alphabetically by author
- B) Books were classified based on acquisition date
- C) Books were classified based on subject and relative location
- D) Books were grouped by size
Answer: C) Books were classified based on subject and relative location
Description: Dewey introduced the concept of relative location, classifying books based on their subject and positioning them relative to similar books on the shelf.
15. What is the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC)?
- A) A simpler version of the Dewey system
- B) A classification system based on Dewey’s Decimal system
- C) A classification system for large libraries
- D) A system that organizes books alphabetically
Answer: B) A classification system based on Dewey’s Decimal system
Description: The Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) is a system that expands on the Dewey Decimal system, adding punctuation marks and more details for complex subjects.