1.
Dia de los Muertos coincides with what two Catholic holidays?
Correct Answer
C. All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day
Explanation
Dia de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that celebrates and honors deceased loved ones. It coincides with two Catholic holidays: All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day. All Souls' Day, celebrated on November 2nd, is a day to pray for and remember the souls of the faithful departed. All Saints' Day, celebrated on November 1st, honors all the saints of the Church, known and unknown. These two Catholic holidays align with the themes of Dia de los Muertos, which focuses on remembering and honoring the deceased.
2.
The holiday originated about 3,000 years ago from indigenous peoples of what country?
Correct Answer
B. Mexico
Explanation
The holiday being referred to in this question is likely Day of the Dead, also known as Dia de los Muertos. This holiday originated in Mexico about 3,000 years ago from indigenous peoples. It is a celebration that honors and remembers deceased loved ones. Mexico has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its vibrant traditions, making it the most likely country of origin for this holiday.
3.
Dia de los Muertos is a very serious and somber holiday.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
Dia de los Muertos is not a serious and somber holiday. It is actually a festive and joyful celebration in Mexican culture, where people gather to honor and remember their deceased loved ones. The holiday is characterized by vibrant decorations, music, dancing, and the creation of altars and offerings. It is a time to celebrate the lives of the departed and to believe that their spirits return to be with their families during this period.
4.
Which of the following is NOT a common tradition associated with Día de los Muertos?
Correct Answer
D. Giving gifts to children, like toys and candy
Explanation
While Día de los Muertos involves festive celebrations, it is primarily a time to honor and remember deceased loved ones. The focus is on welcoming the spirits of the departed back to the world of the living, not on exchanging gifts. The other options, such as building ofrendas, visiting cemeteries, and participating in parades, are all common traditions associated with Día de los Muertos.
5.
Which of the following items would not be found on a traditional altar as part of the Dia de los Muertos holiday?
Correct Answer
D. A box of tissues for the family of the deceased to use as they weep over their lost loved one
Explanation
On a traditional altar as part of the Dia de los Muertos holiday, pictures of the deceased being honored are typically found as a way to remember and pay respects to the departed. Food and drink are also placed on the altar for the deceased to enjoy when they return. Candles are lit to guide the spirits back to their loved ones. However, a box of tissues for the family of the deceased to use as they weep over their lost loved one would not typically be found on the altar. The focus of the altar is to celebrate the lives of the deceased rather than to mourn their loss.
6.
Which of the following is not made as part of the traditional Dia de los Muertos festivities?
Correct Answer
B. Chocolate Bats
Explanation
Chocolate Bats are not made as part of the traditional Dia de los Muertos festivities. Dia de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that honors and celebrates deceased loved ones. During this time, families create altars and decorate them with various traditional items such as sugar skulls or Calaveras de Azucar, dead bread or Pan de Muerto, and hand-made paper flowers. However, Chocolate Bats are not typically associated with this holiday and are not made as part of the traditional festivities.
7.
According to the Native Aztecs and Meso-Americans who began the Dia de los Muertos tradition...
Correct Answer
A. Life is a dream and only in death does a person become truly awake
Explanation
According to the Native Aztecs and Meso-Americans, life is perceived as a dream, and it is only in death that a person truly awakens. This belief suggests that death is seen as a transformative experience, where the soul transcends the limitations of the physical world and attains a higher state of consciousness. It implies that life is but a temporary state of existence, and death is the gateway to a more enlightened and awakened state.
8.
What is a traditional flower of Dia de los Muertos that is often worn by women and used to decorate altars?
Correct Answer
C. Yellow Marigolds
Explanation
Yellow Marigolds are the traditional flowers of Dia de los Muertos that are often worn by women and used to decorate altars. These flowers hold great significance in the Mexican culture during this holiday as they are believed to guide the spirits of the deceased back to their loved ones. The vibrant yellow color of the marigolds is thought to attract and welcome the spirits, while their strong fragrance helps to create a path for them to follow.