Alan Turing

Question 1

Who is considered the father of modern computer science?

Answer 1

Alan Turing

Question 2

When and where was Alan Turing born?

Answer 2

June 23, 1912, in London, England

Question 3

What major theoretical model did Turing introduce that laid the foundation for modern computers?

Answer 3

The Turing Machine

Question 4

During which war did Alan Turing work on codebreaking?

Answer 4

World War II

Question 5

What was the name of the machine Turing designed to break the Enigma code?

Answer 5

The Bombe

Question 6

What was the Enigma machine used for?

Answer 6

Encrypting military communications by Nazi Germany

Question 7

What test did Alan Turing propose to assess a machine’s ability to exhibit intelligent behavior?

Answer 7

The Turing Test

Question 8

In which year did Alan Turing propose the Turing Test?

Answer 8

1950

Question 9

Where did Alan Turing work during World War II?

Answer 9

Bletchley Park

Question 10

What was Alan Turing’s sexual orientation, and how did it affect his life?

Answer 10

He was openly homosexual, and he was prosecuted for it in 1952

Question 11

What punishment was Alan Turing given after being convicted of ‘gross indecency’ in 1952?

Answer 11

Chemical castration

Question 12

What was the likely cause of Alan Turing’s death?

Answer 12

Cyanide poisoning, suspected to be suicide

Question 13

What British institution apologized for the way Alan Turing was treated after his death?

Answer 13

The British government

Question 14

What award is named in Alan Turing’s honor that is considered the highest in computer science?

Answer 14

The Turing Award

Question 15

How did Turing contribute to the Allied victory in World War II?

Answer 15

By breaking the Enigma code, he helped shorten the war and save lives

Question 16

What was the social context during Turing’s lifetime regarding homosexuality in the UK?

Answer 16

Homosexuality was illegal and widely persecuted

Question 17

What year did Alan Turing die?

Answer 17

1954

Question 18

What sport did Alan Turing excel in?

Answer 18

Long-distance running

Question 19

What was Turing’s quirky habit at Bletchley Park involving his tea mug?

Answer 19

He chained his tea mug to a radiator to prevent others from using it

Question 20

What was the historical importance of Turing’s work on the Enigma code?

Answer 20

It helped to significantly shorten World War II and save lives

Question 21

What university did Alan Turing attend in the US?

Answer 21

Princeton University

Question 22

What type of machine did Turing simulate manually when creating an early chess program?

Answer 22

A computer, as none were powerful enough to run the program at the time

Question 23

In which year was Alan Turing granted a posthumous royal pardon?

Answer 23

2013

Question 24

What is the name of the codebreaking center where Alan Turing worked?

Answer 24

Bletchley Park