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Witches, legends and superstitions quiz

Twelve questions on the things we touch wood about. Do not walk under any ladders.

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

Question sheet

1. Breaking a mirror is traditionally said to bring how many years of bad luck?
- A. Three
- B. Five
- C. Seven
- D. Thirteen
2. What is the fear of the number 13 called?
- A. Triskaidekaphobia
- B. Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia
- C. Arithmophobia
- D. Numerophobia
3. In the UK, a black cat crossing your path is traditionally considered what?
- A. Bad luck
- B. Good luck
- C. A sign of rain
- D. A sign of visitors
4. Which school does Harry Potter attend?
- A. Durmstrang
- B. Hogwarts
- C. Beauxbatons
- D. Ilvermorny
5. In 'The Wizard of Oz', what melts the Wicked Witch of the West?
- A. Fire
- B. Sunlight
- C. Water
- D. Salt
6. How many witches appear together in the opening of Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'?
- A. Two
- B. Three
- C. Four
- D. Five
7. What is traditionally thrown over your left shoulder to ward off bad luck?
- A. Sugar
- B. Salt
- C. Rice
- D. Pepper
8. Which garlic-hating creature of legend has no reflection?
- A. Werewolf
- B. Vampire
- C. Zombie
- D. Ghoul
9. A werewolf traditionally transforms under what?
- A. A new moon
- B. A full moon
- C. An eclipse
- D. A blood moon
10. Which famous witch trials took place in Massachusetts in 1692?
- A. Salem
- B. Boston
- C. Plymouth
- D. Concord
11. What does "touch wood" aim to do?
- A. Summon luck
- B. Avoid tempting fate
- C. Ward off ghosts
- D. Make a wish come true
12. A four-leaf clover is a symbol of luck in which country's folklore especially?
- A. Scotland
- B. Ireland
- C. Wales
- D. Norway

Team answer sheet

Team name

Date

Write the letter or your answer beside each question.

Total score / 12

1. C - Seven
The belief that a broken mirror brings bad luck goes back to old folklore about reflections.
2. A - Triskaidekaphobia
Triskaidekaphobia combines Greek roots referring to thirteen and fear.
3. B - Good luck
In Britain black cats are often lucky, unlike much of the USA.
4. B - Hogwarts
Hogwarts is a fictional school of magic in the Harry Potter stories.
5. C - Water
In the original 'Wizard of Oz' story, the witch is defeated by water.
6. B - Three
The witches in 'Macbeth' are also known as the Weird Sisters.
7. B - Salt
The salt-over-the-shoulder ritual is a long-standing European superstition.
8. B - Vampire
The idea that vampires cast no reflection appears in many versions of vampire folklore.
9. B - A full moon
The full-moon transformation is a popular werewolf story convention, not a scientific fact.
10. A - Salem
The Salem witch trials led to the execution of 20 people.
11. B - Avoid tempting fate
People in several cultures use a similar phrase to ward off bad luck after tempting fate.
12. B - Ireland
The four-leaf clover is rare because most clovers have three leaflets.