Q 01/05

In Spain and Latin America, which animal collects children's lost teeth instead of the Tooth Fairy?

A) A rabbit

B) A swallow

C) A mouse

D) A cat

Answer · why

C) A mouse

A mouse called Ratoncito Pérez does the job, swapping the tooth under the pillow for a coin or small gift. The writer Luis Coloma gave him the role in...

Q 02/05

In Hispanic countries, which day of the week replaces Friday as the unlucky 13th of the month?

A) Monday

B) Tuesday

C) Wednesday

D) Sunday

Answer · why

B) Tuesday

Tuesday is the day to fear: martes trece plays the part that Friday the 13th plays elsewhere. Greeks share the superstition and tie the day to Ares, t...

Q 03/05

Which fruit do Spaniards eat at midnight on New Year's Eve, one for each chime of the clock?

A) Grapes

B) Cherries

C) Dates

D) Oranges

Answer · why

A) Grapes

Grapes are the answer: twelve of them, one swallowed on each bell strike, are said to bring a lucky year. Vine growers in Alicante spread the custom i...

Q 04/05

The Panama hat, despite the name, is woven from toquilla straw in which South American country?

A) Bolivia

B) Venezuela

C) Chile

D) Ecuador

Answer · why

D) Ecuador

Ecuador is the hat's true home, and its weaving there is on UNESCO's heritage list. The misleading name stuck because the hats were shipped out to the...

Q 05/05

A Spanish tortilla is not a flatbread but a thick omelette of eggs and which vegetable?

A) Potatoes

B) Artichokes

C) Peppers

D) Spinach

Answer · why

A) Potatoes

Potatoes are the heart of the tortilla de patatas. Whether onion belongs in it splits Spain into two camps, the concebollistas and the sincebollistas.