Q 01/05

The modern custom of decorating an evergreen tree for Christmas began in the 16th century in which country?

A) England

B) Germany

C) France

D) Austria

Answer · why

B) Germany

Germany's Lutherans were the first recorded tree decorators; one stood in Strasbourg Cathedral in 1539, and Prince Albert made the custom fashionable ...

Q 02/05

In Iceland, what do the Yule Lads leave in the shoe of a child who has misbehaved?

A) A lump of coal

B) A rotten potato

C) A dried fish head

D) A birch switch

Answer · why

B) A rotten potato

The Yule Lads leave a rotten potato in a misbehaving child's shoe; well-behaved children find small gifts instead, one lad arriving each night in the ...

Q 03/05

Eating twelve grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve, one per chime of the clock, is a tradition from which country?

A) Italy

B) Portugal

C) Spain

D) Greece

Answer · why

C) Spain

Spain's grapes are swallowed to the chimes of the clock in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, broadcast nationwide, and the custom has spread across Latin Ameri...

Q 04/05

Among the German Lutherans who first told of the 'Easter Hare', what role did the animal originally play?

A) A judge of children's conduct

B) A guardian of church bells

C) A herald of spring planting

D) A protector of new lambs

Answer · why

A) A judge of children's conduct

Much like Santa's naughty-or-nice list, the hare decided who deserved eggs; a 1572 German text already warns that if he escapes, 'we will cook the nes...

Q 05/05

Diwali, often called the Festival of Lights, primarily symbolizes the triumph of what?

A) Good over evil

B) Strength over weakness

C) Harvest over drought

D) Winter over spring

Answer · why

A) Good over evil

Diwali is a significant festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, knowledge ove...