The quizzes have been taken, and the scores tabulated, recorded and reviewed! Now it is our pleasure to announce the results of the 2017 DAAD Annual Contest, which was concluded on April 18th.

Out of a total of 126 verified contestants, the winners of the first, second and third prizes are as follows:

1st Prize:
William Rivers of the University of South Carolina (round-trip airfare to Germany)
2nd Prize:
Dzhalal Agakishiev of John Hopkins University (Go Pro Hero Camera)
3rd Prize:
Justin Wilck of Stanford University ($ 50 gift certificate for a book on Martin Luther)

The theme of this year’s annual contest was centered on the major life events of the theologian and thinker, Martin Luther in honor of the 500th anniversary of his Ninety-Five Theses. Luther’s writings transformed religious institutions of 16th century Europe and fundamentally influenced and changed the German language.

Contestants were required to test their Luther IQ by taking a timed 15-question quiz (answers below).

Many thanks to all who participated in the contest!

Quiz Questions and Answers: 

  1. Where was Martin Luther born?  – Eisleben.
  2. How many siblings did Luther have? – 8
  3. Where did Luther complete his MA?  – University of Erfurt
  4. What happened to cause Luther to vow to become a monk? – Lightening stroke
  5. To whom was he praying when he made this vow? – St. Anne
  6. When was Luther sanctified a priest? – 1507
  7. Where did Luther earn his PhD? – Wittenberg
  8. What did Luther publish in October 1517? – 95 Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences
  9. What did the Roman Catholic Church accuse Martin Luther of in 1518? – Heresy
  10.  In which city did Luther refuse to deny his writings in front of the Emperor Karl V.? – Worms
  11. Who was Junker Jörg? – Martin Luther
  12. What is considered to be the foundation of the Modern High German written language? – Luther’s translation of the New Testament into German
  13. Who is Katharina of Bora? – Martin Luther’s wife 
  14. When did Martin Luther die? – February 18, 1546 
  15. What is considered to be Luther’s main accomplishment? – His bible translation