World New Year Traditions Quiz

Name:

Date:

Instructions: How well do you know New Year celebration customs from around the world?

1.
In which country do people eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve for good luck?
A
Portugal
B
France
C
Spain
D
Italy
2.
In Japan, Buddhist temples ring their bells how many times at midnight on New Year's Eve?
A
12
B
108
C
365
D
50
3.
In Denmark, people throw unused plates and glasses against the doors of friends to bring what?
A
Good luck
B
Wealth
C
Health
D
Happiness
4.
Chinese New Year is determined by which calendar?
A
Lunar calendar
B
Julian calendar
C
Solar calendar
D
Gregorian calendar
5.
In Scotland, the New Year celebration is traditionally called what?
A
Burns Night
B
Highland Fling
C
Hogmanay
D
Beltane
6.
In Brazil, people traditionally wear which color on New Year's Eve for peace?
A
Green
B
Blue
C
White
D
Red
7.
In the Philippines, round shapes and objects are displayed on New Year because they symbolize what?
A
Coins and prosperity
B
Eternity
C
The sun
D
Unity
8.
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, traditionally involves eating apples dipped in what?
A
Cinnamon
B
Caramel
C
Chocolate
D
Honey
9.
In Ecuador and Colombia, burning effigies on New Year's Eve symbolizes what?
A
Welcoming spring
B
Celebrating harvest
C
Honoring ancestors
D
Burning away the old year
10.
Nowruz, the Persian New Year, falls on which astronomical event?
A
Summer solstice
B
Winter solstice
C
Autumn equinox
D
Spring equinox
11.
In Italy, it is traditional to eat which legume on New Year's Day for good fortune?
A
Chickpeas
B
Lentils
C
Black beans
D
Lima beans
12.
In the southern United States, which dish is traditionally eaten on New Year's Day for luck?
A
Cornbread
B
Sweet potato pie
C
Fried chicken
D
Black-eyed peas
13.
In Turkey, pomegranates are smashed on the doorstep at New Year to symbolize what?
A
Good health
B
Warding off evil
C
Abundance and prosperity
D
New beginnings
14.
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is celebrated in which month?
A
January
B
March
C
June
D
April
15.
The tradition of singing 'Auld Lang Syne' at midnight on New Year's Eve originated in which country?
A
Wales
B
England
C
Ireland
D
Scotland

Answer Key

Question 1

C. Spain

Question 2

B. 108

Question 3

A. Good luck

Question 4

A. Lunar calendar

Question 5

C. Hogmanay

Question 6

C. White

Question 7

A. Coins and prosperity

Question 8

D. Honey

Question 9

D. Burning away the old year

Question 10

D. Spring equinox

Question 11

B. Lentils

Question 12

D. Black-eyed peas

Question 13

C. Abundance and prosperity

Question 14

D. April

Question 15

D. Scotland

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