Halloween

1.

What was the name of the Celtic harvest festival that historians say was the source of the present-day Halloween celebration?
- A.
  
  Samhain
- B.
  
  Feralia
- C.
  
  Carnelevarium
Correct Answer
A. Samhain

Explanation
Many believe the festival of Samhain to be the beginning of the Celtic year. At Samhain, farmers brought livestock in from summer pastures, and people gathered to build shelter for winter.

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2.

Apples became associated with Halloween because of harvest festivals celebrating what Roman goddess?
- A.
  
  Diana
- B.
  
  Pomona
- C.
  
  Juno
Correct Answer
B. Pomona
3.

Jack-o-lanterns are lanterns carved out of what?
- A.
  
  Apples
- B.
  
  Pumpkins
- C.
  
  Watermelons
Correct Answer
B. Pumpkins

Explanation
Jack-o'-lanterns are hollowed-out pumpkins with a face cut into one side.People in Scotland and Ireland once carved out large beets or turnips to use as lanterns on Halloween. After this custom reached America, pumpkins began to be used.

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4.

What group of people first wore costumes during harvest festivals?
- A.
  
  Celts
- B.
  
  Romans
- C.
  
  Germans
Correct Answer
A. Celts

Explanation
Costumes were worn in Celtic festivities. Adults sometimes wore costumes when they begged house-to-house for a Halloween feast. In County Cork, Ireland, a man wearing a white robe and holding a wooden horse's head led the group. In parts of Scotland, costumed beggars out on Halloween were known as skeklets. In Wales, boys dressed as girls and girls dressed as boys to go house-to-house singing Halloween rhymes.

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5.

What Christian holy day, established in the 800's, adopted pagan harvest festival customs into its celebration?
- A.
  
  Halloween
- B.
  
  All Saint's Day
- C.
  
  All Soul's Day
Correct Answer
B. All Saint's Day

Explanation
In the 800's, the church established All Saints' Day on November 1. About two hundred years later, it added All Souls' Day on November 2. This day was set aside for people to pray for friends and family who had died. People made many of the old pagan customs part of this Christian holy day.

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Halloween

What was the name of the Celtic harvest festival that historians say was the source of the present-day Halloween celebration?

Apples became associated with Halloween because of harvest festivals celebrating what Roman goddess?

Jack-o-lanterns are lanterns carved out of what?

What group of people first wore costumes during harvest festivals?

What Christian holy day, established in the 800's, adopted pagan harvest festival customs into its celebration?