superstitions
beginner
10 sample questions
Holiday Superstitions MCQ Practice Test
Seasonal beliefs and traditional practices
Q1. In some African cultures, what is a superstition related to women and footwear on New Year's Eve?
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A. Wearing red shoes will bring bad luck.
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B. Wearing high heels will attract a husband who is not good in bed. ✓
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C. Wearing sandals will bring good fortune.
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D. Wearing boots will protect against evil spirits.
Explanation: Some cultures believe that wearing certain types of footwear on New Year's Eve can influence one's future, including marital prospects.
Q2. In Japanese culture, it is believed that on New Year\’s Eve, it is unlucky to:
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A. Clean the house thoroughly
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B. Do laundry before midnight ✓
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C. Eat soba noodles for good luck
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D. Visit a shrine at midnight
Explanation: In Japanese culture, it is considered unlucky to do laundry on New Year's Eve, as it is believed to wash away good fortune for the coming year.
Q3. In some Latin American cultures, it is believed that on Christmas Eve, the ángel de la Guarda (Guardian Angel) visits homes to bring gifts to children. What is the traditional activity that families perform to prepare for the ángel's visit?
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A. They decorate their homes with flowers and leaves.
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B. They leave out a bowl of milk and a plate of cookies for the ángel. ✓
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C. They exchange gifts with family members before bedtime.
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D. They go to church for a special midnight mass.
Explanation: In some Latin American cultures, it is believed that the ángel de la Guarda visits homes on Christmas Eve to bring gifts to children. To prepare for the ángel's visit, families traditionally leave out a bowl of milk and a plate of cookies as an offering.
Q4. In many European cultures, it is believed that on New Year's Eve, it is unlucky to:
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A. clean the house ✓
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B. wear new clothes
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C. eat 12 grapes at midnight
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D. refuse an invitation to a party
Explanation: In several European traditions (Scottish, German, and others), sweeping, laundry, or cleaning at New Year is thought to sweep away the household's luck — cleaning on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day is considered unlucky. Eating 12 grapes (Spain) and wearing new clothes are GOOD-luck customs, not unlucky ones.
Q5. In Japanese culture, it is believed that the first visitor to your home after midnight on New Year's Eve will determine your luck for the coming year. Which of the following is the name of this belief?
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A. Kohaku Nenbutsu
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B. Hatsumode ✓
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C. Oshogatsu
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D. Kadomatsu
Explanation: The question describes the belief that the first visitor after midnight on New Year's Eve determines luck for the coming year. The options provided do not include the correct term for this belief. The correct answer would need to be added to the options.
Q6. In Japan, it is believed that if you eat “Tōmori” ( persimmon) on New Year’s Eve, you will have a long and healthy life. What is the supposed reason for this belief?
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A. It is said to bring good luck because the fruit is round, symbolizing a full and prosperous life. ✓
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B. The sweetness of the fruit is believed to counterbalance the bitterness of the cold winter months.
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C. Eating Tōmori is thought to bring good fortune because its seeds resemble the coins used in New Year’s gifts.
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D. The fruit is said to have healing properties that will protect the consumer from illness throughout the year.
Explanation: This superstition is rooted in the cultural significance of the round shape of the persimmon fruit, which is believed to symbolize a full and prosperous life. In Japan, the New Year is a time for reflection and renewal, and eating Tōmori is thought to bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year.
Q7. In Japan, it is believed that during the New Year’s celebrations, it is considered lucky to do this with your money:
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A. Give it away as a gift to ensure good fortune in the coming year
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B. Hide it under the tatami mats to keep it safe from evil spirits
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C. Use it to buy goods and services at midnight to ensure a prosperous start to the year
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D. Count it before putting it away in a safe place to ensure it is all there ✓
Explanation: In Japan, counting money before putting it away on New Year's Eve is believed to bring good fortune and ensure financial stability in the coming year.
Q8. In Japanese culture, it is believed that if you eat “Toshikoshi Soba” on New Year's Eve, you will have a long and healthy life. What is the significance of eating this type of noodle?
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A. It is a symbol of longevity because the noodles are long and unbroken. ✓
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B. It is a symbol of good luck because the noodles are served with a special sauce.
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C. It is a symbol of good fortune because the noodles are made from a special type of wheat.
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D. It is a symbol of good health because the noodles are served with a special type of broth.
Explanation: In Japanese culture, it is believed that eating Toshikoshi Soba on New Year's Eve will bring good luck and longevity. The noodles are long and unbroken, symbolizing a long and healthy life. This superstition is based on the idea that the longer the noodles, the longer one's life will be.
Q9. In Japanese culture, what is believed to bring good luck during the New Year (Oshogatsu) celebrations?
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A. Eating soba noodles on New Year's Eve to symbolize longevity. ✓
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B. Visiting shrines and temples to pray for good fortune.
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C. Giving red envelopes filled with money to children as a symbol of good luck.
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D. Wearing new clothes on New Year's Eve to ward off evil spirits.
Explanation: In Japanese culture, eating toshikoshi soba (year-crossing noodles) on New Year's Eve is believed to symbolize longevity and good luck in the coming year. The long, thin noodles are thought to represent a long and healthy life.
Q10. In Japanese New Year's (Oshogatsu) celebrations, it is believed that visiting shrines and temples during the first three days of the new year will bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. Which of the following is a common practice during this time?
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A. Visiting shrines and temples during the first three days of the new year is discouraged due to the large crowds.
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B. Visiting shrines and temples during the first three days of the new year is believed to bring good luck, but only if done in the morning.
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C. Visiting shrines and temples during the first three days of the new year is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. ✓
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D. Visiting shrines and temples during the first three days of the new year is a practice only for the elderly.
Explanation: In Japanese culture, it is believed that visiting shrines and temples during the first three days of the new year will bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. This practice is known as 'hatsumode', and it is a popular tradition during Oshogatsu celebrations.
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