Q 01/05

What is the classic filling of a traditional Cantonese mooncake?

A) Lotus seed paste and salted yolk

B) Red bean paste and walnut halves

C) Pork floss and toasted sesame

D) Chestnut purée and taro chunks

Answer · why

A) Lotus seed paste and salted yolk

The whole yolk in the centre stands for the full moon that the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates.

Q 02/05

When are mooncakes traditionally eaten?

A) The Lantern Festival

B) The Dragon Boat Festival

C) The Mid-Autumn Festival

D) The Qingming Festival

Answer · why

C) The Mid-Autumn Festival

The festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month and is tied to legends of the moon goddess Chang'e.

Q 03/05

What are zongzi wrapped in?

A) Rice paper

B) Bamboo leaves

C) Lotus leaves

D) Banana leaves

Answer · why

B) Bamboo leaves

The glutinous-rice parcels are eaten at the Dragon Boat Festival, popularly linked to the poet Qu Yuan who drowned himself in 278 BC.

Q 04/05

Which poet's death is commemorated with zongzi and dragon boat races?

A) Su Shi

B) Qu Yuan

C) Du Fu

D) Li Bai

Answer · why

B) Qu Yuan

He died in 278 BC, though the earliest documented link between him and the rice dumplings dates from the 5th century AD.

Q 05/05

Jiaozi dumplings are said to bring prosperity because they resemble which object?

A) Gold and silver ingots

B) A full harvest moon

C) A leaping carp fish

D) A red paper lantern

Answer · why

A) Gold and silver ingots

Many families eat them at midnight on New Year's Eve, and some hide a clean coin inside one for luck.