World Calendar Systems Quiz

Name:

Date:

Instructions: How well do you know the different calendar systems used by cultures throughout history?

1.
The Gregorian calendar, used worldwide today, was introduced by which Pope in 1582?
A
Pope Pius V
B
Pope Sixtus V
C
Pope Clement VIII
D
Pope Gregory XIII
2.
The Chinese calendar is primarily based on which astronomical cycles?
A
Lunar only
B
Solar only
C
Lunisolar (both moon and sun)
D
Stellar
3.
The Islamic (Hijri) calendar is based on which cycle and has how many months?
A
Lunisolar cycle, 12 months
B
Solar cycle, 13 months
C
Lunar cycle, 12 months
D
Lunar cycle, 13 months
4.
The Hebrew calendar counts years from what event?
A
The birth of Abraham
B
The creation of the world
C
The Exodus from Egypt
D
The building of the Temple
5.
The ancient Maya developed a calendar system known as the Long Count. What date did it famously 'end' in the modern calendar?
A
December 21, 2012
B
January 1, 2020
C
December 21, 2000
D
June 21, 2012
6.
The Ethiopian calendar is how many years behind the Gregorian calendar?
A
7-8 years
B
10-11 years
C
5-6 years
D
12-13 years
7.
The Hindu calendar uses which recurring cycle of 60 years?
A
Manvantara cycle
B
Kalpa cycle
C
Yuga cycle
D
Samvatsara cycle
8.
The Julian calendar, predecessor to the Gregorian, was introduced by whom?
A
Augustus Caesar
B
Julius Caesar
C
Marcus Aurelius
D
Emperor Constantine
9.
The Japanese calendar traditionally names its eras after what?
A
Zodiac animals
B
The reigning emperor
C
Seasons
D
Celestial events
10.
The Persian (Solar Hijri) calendar begins its year on which astronomical event?
A
Autumn equinox
B
Spring equinox (Nowruz)
C
Summer solstice
D
Winter solstice
11.
The Chinese zodiac operates on a cycle of how many years?
A
8
B
14
C
10
D
12
12.
The ancient Egyptian calendar had how many days in a year?
A
365
B
354
C
366
D
360
13.
The Aztec calendar stone (Sun Stone) was used by which Mesoamerican civilization?
A
Olmec
B
Inca
C
Maya
D
Aztec
14.
The Buddhist calendar counts years from which event?
A
Buddha's enlightenment
B
Buddha's birth
C
Buddha's death (parinirvana)
D
Buddha's first sermon
15.
The Thai calendar year is based on the Buddhist Era and is how many years ahead of the Gregorian calendar?
A
343 years
B
743 years
C
543 years
D
643 years

Answer Key

Question 1

D. Pope Gregory XIII

Question 2

C. Lunisolar (both moon and sun)

Question 3

C. Lunar cycle, 12 months

Question 4

B. The creation of the world

Question 5

A. December 21, 2012

Question 6

A. 7-8 years

Question 7

D. Samvatsara cycle

Question 8

B. Julius Caesar

Question 9

B. The reigning emperor

Question 10

B. Spring equinox (Nowruz)

Question 11

D. 12

Question 12

A. 365

Question 13

D. Aztec

Question 14

C. Buddha's death (parinirvana)

Question 15

C. 543 years

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