New Year's History
Q: Why did Julius Caesar change the calendar so that January 1 was New Year’s Day?
A) To honor the god Janus 为了纪念雅努斯神
B) To celebrate spring planting 庆祝春耕
C) To mark his birthday 庆祝他的生日
D) To match the lunar cycle 以配合月亮的周期
Answer: A) To honor the god Janus
Q: What is a New Year’s resolution? 什么是新年决心？
A) A promise to improve yourself 一个提升自己的承诺
B) A law passed by the government 政府通过的法律
C) A type of holiday song 一种节日歌曲
D) A new calendar design 新的日历设计
Answer: A) A promise to improve yourself
Q: Chinese New Year is based on which calendar? 中国新年是基于哪个历法？
A) Solar calendar 阳历
B) Lunar calendar 农历
C) Gregorian calendar 公历
D) Roman calendar 罗马历
Answer: B) Lunar calendar
Q: In the southern United States, people eat black-eyed peas for… 在美国南部，人们吃黑眼豆是为了……
A) Luck
B) Strength
C) Speed
D) Fun
Answer: A) Luck
Q: How many seconds are in one minute?
A) 30
B) 60
C) 100
D) 120
Answer: B) 60
The first recorded New Year’s celebrations happened in Mesopotamia. What did they celebrate? 第一个有记载的新年庆祝活动发生在美索不达米亚。他们庆祝什么
A) The harvest season 收获的季节
B) The spring equinox 春分（24节气之一）
C) The winter solstice 冬至
D) The king’s birthday
Answer: B) The spring equinox
Q: In Spain, people eat 12 grapes at midnight. What do the grapes represent? 在西班牙，人们在午夜吃12颗葡萄。葡萄代表什么？
A) The 12 months of the year 一年中的12个月
B) The 12 zodiac signs 十二生肖
C) The 12 apostles 耶稣之十二信徒
D) The 12 hours on a clock 时钟上的12个小时
Answer: A) The 12 months of the year
Q: In Brazil, people wear white clothes on New Year’s Eve. What does white symbolize? 在巴西，人们在新年前夜穿白色的衣服。白色象征着什么？
A) Peace
B) Wealth
C) Happiness
D) Friendship
Q: In Italy, lentils are eaten because they look like… 在意大利，人们吃扁豆是因为它们看起来像……
A) Coins for wealth 财富硬币
B) Stars for guidance 指引方向的星星
C) Seeds for growth 生长的种子
D) Buttons for clothing 衣服钮扣
Answer: A) Coins for wealth
Q: The Times Square ball is covered in crystals. What do they symbolize? 时代广场的球上覆盖着水晶。它们象征着什么？
A) Hope and renewal 希望与复兴
B) Wealth and power 财富与权力
C) Stars and planets 恒星和行星
D) Snow and ice 冰雪
Answer: A) Hope and renewal
Q: The Gregorian calendar we use today was introduced in 1582. Who introduced it? 我们今天使用的公历是在1582年引入的。谁提出的?
A) Pope Gregory XIII
B) Julius Caesar
C) King Henry VIII
D) Galileo Galilei
Answer: A) Pope Gregory XIII
Q: In Scotland, Hogmanay includes “first footing.” What does the first visitor bring? 在苏格兰，Hogmanay包括“第一次立足点”。第一个来访者带来了什么？
A) Coal, bread, and whiskey 煤、面包和威士忌
B) Flowers and fruit 花和果实
C) Coins and candles 硬币和蜡烛
D) Bells and fireworks 钟声和焰火
Answer: A) Coal, bread, and whiskey
Q: In the Philippines, people display round fruits. Why round? 在菲律宾，人们展示圆形的水果。为什么是圆的吗?
A) They look like coins for wealth 它们看起来像代表财富的硬币
B) They represent the moon 它们代表月亮
C) They symbolize family unity 它们象征着家庭团结
D) They are easier to share 它们更容易分享
Answer: A) They look like coins for wealth
Q: In Japan, people eat long noodles called “toshikoshi soba.” What do the noodles symbolize? 在日本，人们吃被称为“toshikoshi荞麦面”的长面条。面条象征着什么？
A) Long life
B) Long journeys
C) Long friendships
D) Long nights
Answer: A) Long life
Q: How many time zones celebrate New Year’s across the world? 世界上有多少个时区庆祝新年？
A) About 12
B) About 24
C) About 50
D) About 100
Answer: B) About 24
Q: Why do many cultures celebrate New Year’s with fireworks? 为什么许多文化用烟花来庆祝新年?
A) To scare away evil spirits 吓走恶灵
B) To honor ancient gods 向古代神灵致敬
C) To light up the sky for fun 照亮天空，寻找乐趣
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Q: In Japan, temple bells ring 108 times. What does this number symbolize? 在日本，寺庙的钟声响108次。这个数字象征着什么？
A) The number of gods 神的数量
B) Human sins or desires 人类的罪恶或欲望
C) Days in winter 冬天的日子
D) Lucky stars 幸运星
Answer: B) Human sins or desires
Q: In Denmark, smashing plates on friends’ doors is meant to bring… 在丹麦，砸朋友门上的盘子意味着……
A) Good luck
B) Bad luck
C) A funny prank
D) A loud noise
Answer: A) Good luck
Q: In Mexico, people eat grapes at midnight. What do they wish for with each grape? 在墨西哥，人们在午夜吃葡萄。他们对每一颗葡萄有什么愿望？
A) A different dream for each month
B) A different friend
C) A different holiday
D) A different food
Answer: A) A different dream for each month
Q: Which country celebrates New Year’s with a giant pinecone drop instead of a ball? 哪个国家用巨大的松果而不是球来庆祝新年？
A) Arizona, USA
B) Spain
C) Canada
D) Brazil
Answer: A) Arizona, USA
Q: Which country celebrates New Year’s first each year because of its location near the International Date Line? 哪个国家每年都是第一个庆祝新年，因为它靠近国际日期变更线？
A) Japan
B) Australia
C) Kiribati
D) New Zealand
Answer: C) Kiribati
Q: In Greece, families bake a cake called “Vasilopita.” What is hidden inside? 在希腊，家家户户都会烤一种叫做“Vasilopita”的蛋糕。里面藏着什么？
A) A coin for good luck 一枚代表好运的硬币
B) A piece of fruit 一块水果
C) A small bell 一个小铃铛
D) A candle 蜡烛
Answer: A) A coin for good luck
Q: In Ethiopia, New Year is called “Enkutatash.” When is it celebrated? 在埃塞俄比亚，新年被称为“Enkutatash”。什么时候庆祝？
A) January 1
B) September 11
C) March 21
D) December 31
Answer: B) September 11
Q: In Turkey, people sprinkle salt on their doorstep at midnight. Why? 在土耳其，人们会在午夜时分在家门口撒盐。为什么?
A) To bring peace and prosperity 带来和平与繁荣
B) To keep away animals 远离动物
C) To make the ground safe 确保地面安全
D) To honor the sea 向大海致敬
Answer: A) To bring peace and prosperity
Q: How many days are in a leap year? 闰年有多少天？
A) 364
B) 365
C) 366
D) 367
Answer: C) 366