Q 01/05

Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is traditionally celebrated by lighting what?

A) Diyas, or small oil lamps

B) Ceremonial bonfires

C) Floating paper lanterns

D) Coloured smoke flares

Answer · why

A) Diyas, or small oil lamps

The five-day festival also marks Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and honours Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity.

Q 02/05

Which bright orange flower is used to decorate altars and graves during Mexico's Day of the Dead?

A) Poinsettia

B) Dahlia

C) Marigold

D) Sunflower

Answer · why

C) Marigold

Known as cempasúchil, it decorates home altars called ofrendas that hold the favourite foods and drinks of the departed.

Q 03/05

On which dates is the Day of the Dead traditionally celebrated?

A) The last two days of October

B) The first two days of December

C) The whole of Halloween week

D) The first two days of November

Answer · why

D) The first two days of November

UNESCO added the tradition to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.

Q 04/05

Holi, the Hindu festival of coloured powder and water, marks the arrival of which season?

A) Monsoon

B) Winter

C) Autumn

D) Spring

Answer · why

D) Spring

The night before, bonfires are lit for Holika Dahan, the burning of the demoness Holika.

Q 05/05

Thailand's Songkran new year festival, celebrated on 13 April, is famous for what?

A) Public water fights

B) Lantern releases

C) Elephant parades

D) Kite battles

Answer · why

A) Public water fights

The splashing symbolises ritual cleansing to wash away the old year.