Halloween: A Global Perspective
Halloween is known for its spooky costumes, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating, but have you wondered about its origins? Halloween, celebrated every year on October 31, originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts believed that on this day, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, and the dead would come back to cause trouble. Interestingly, Halloween is not only an American phenomenon. In Mexico, for example, they celebrate "El Dia de los Muertos" or "The Day of the Dead" around the same time. This holiday, unlike Halloween, is a time to remember and honor loved ones who have passed. In recent years, Halloween has become a heavily commercialized event. In fact, it is the second largest commercial holiday after Christmas in the United States. This commercialization, while boosting the economy, has also sparked debates about the loss of cultural significance of the holiday.
Question 1
What festival did Halloween originate from?
Easter
Thanksgiving
Samhain
Harvest Festival
Christmas
Question 2
Which country celebrates 'The Day of the Dead' around the same time as Halloween?
Germany
Italy
Mexico
Canada
China
Question 3
What was the belief of the Celts about the boundary between the living and the dead on Samhain?
It strengthened
It disappeared
It blurred
It became visible
It shifted
Question 4
What is the economic significance of Halloween in the United States?
It's the least commercialized holiday
It's the most expensive holiday
It's the second largest commercial holiday
It's not very significant commercially
It's the biggest holiday for candy sales
Question 5
What is 'El Dia de los Muertos'?
A celebration of harvest
A day of pranks
A time to remember and honor loved ones who have passed
A day for costumes and parties
A festival of lights
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