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Halloween quiz

Twelve questions for the end of October. Works with or without anybody dressing up.

Free to use with your own team, courtesy of WorkplaceHero - workplacehero.co.uk

Question sheet

  1. 1. Halloween has its roots in which ancient festival?
    • A. Saturnalia
    • B. Samhain
    • C. Beltane
    • D. Yule
  2. 2. Before pumpkins, what was traditionally carved for lanterns in Ireland?
    • A. Turnips
    • B. Marrows
    • C. Apples
    • D. Potatoes
  3. 3. What is the fear of Halloween called?
    • A. Nyctophobia
    • B. Samhainophobia
    • C. Arachnophobia
    • D. Phasmophobia
  4. 4. Who wrote 'Dracula'?
    • A. Mary Shelley
    • B. Bram Stoker
    • C. Edgar Allan Poe
    • D. Robert Louis Stevenson
  5. 5. In 'Frankenstein', what is the name of the monster?
    • A. Frankenstein
    • B. Victor
    • C. It has no name
    • D. Igor
  6. 6. Which country holds the Day of the Dead celebrations at the start of November?
    • A. Spain
    • B. Mexico
    • C. Peru
    • D. Portugal
  7. 7. A group of witches is traditionally called what?
    • A. A coven
    • B. A cackle
    • C. A circle
    • D. A charm
  8. 8. Which animal is most associated with bad luck crossing your path?
    • A. A black cat
    • B. A magpie
    • C. A raven
    • D. A fox
  9. 9. 'Trick or treat' became widespread in which country first?
    • A. Ireland
    • B. The United States
    • C. Scotland
    • D. Canada
  10. 10. What is a 'guising' tradition in Scotland?
    • A. Children perform for their treat
    • B. Carving a lantern
    • C. Lighting a bonfire
    • D. Bobbing for apples
  11. 11. Which 1978 horror film features the character Michael Myers?
    • A. The Exorcist
    • B. Halloween
    • C. Psycho
    • D. Carrie
  12. 12. Bobbing for apples is linked to which Roman goddess?
    • A. Pomona
    • B. Diana
    • C. Ceres
    • D. Juno

Answer sheet (for the quizmaster)

  1. 1. B - Samhain
    Samhain marked the end of the harvest in Gaelic tradition.
  2. 2. A - Turnips
  3. 3. B - Samhainophobia
  4. 4. B - Bram Stoker
  5. 5. C - It has no name
    Frankenstein is the scientist; the creature is unnamed.
  6. 6. B - Mexico
  7. 7. A - A coven
  8. 8. A - A black cat
  9. 9. D - Canada
    The phrase is first recorded in Canada in the 1920s.
  10. 10. A - Children perform for their treat
    You had to earn the treat with a song, joke or poem.
  11. 11. B - Halloween
  12. 12. A - Pomona
    Pomona, goddess of fruit and orchards.