City Quiz

Day of the Dead quiz (Día de Muertos)

10 questions about Mexico's Day of the Dead. One question at a time, the explanation and a source link after each answer, and your score at the end. Free, no account. Works offline once loaded.

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  1. Read the question and tap one of four answers.
  2. You see at once whether you were right, with the explanation and a link to the source.
  3. After 10 questions you get your score and a result to copy and share.

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All 10 questions

  1. 1. In which year was Day of the Dead inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity?

    1. 2001
    2. 2013
    3. 2008
    4. 2018
    Show answer

    C. 2008

    UNESCO inscribed the Day of the Dead in 2008 on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It was first proclaimed in 2003.

    Source: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/indigenous-festivity-dedicated-to-the-dead-00054

  2. 2. According to UNESCO, when do the Day of the Dead festivities take place each year?

    1. From the end of October to the beginning of November
    2. From January to March
    3. From June to August
    4. In mid-December
    Show answer

    A. From the end of October to the beginning of November

    UNESCO states that the festivities take place every year from late October to early November.

    Source: https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/indigenous-festivity-dedicated-to-the-dead-00054

  3. 3. Who created La Catrina, the elegant skeleton that symbolizes Day of the Dead?

    1. Frida Kahlo
    2. Rufino Tamayo
    3. Juan Rulfo
    4. José Guadalupe Posada
    Show answer

    D. José Guadalupe Posada

    Mexico City's government credits engraver José Guadalupe Posada (1852–1913) with creating La Catrina, a key Day of the Dead symbol.

    Source: https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/venues/jose-guadalupe-posada-monument/

  4. 4. According to an INAH article on the Tepehua community of Santoro, which day is dedicated to deceased children?

    1. October 12
    2. November 1
    3. September 15
    4. December 25
    Show answer

    B. November 1

    INAH notes that in the Tepehua community of Santoro, November 1 is dedicated to deceased children, with offerings of papatla leaves, soft drinks and sweets.

    Source: https://www.inah.gob.mx/foto-del-dia/santoro-tepehua-el-reencuentro-con-los-difuntos

  5. 5. What is the name of the sugar paste used to mold calaveritas de azúcar?

    1. Alfeñique
    2. Meringue
    3. Nougat
    4. Sorbet
    Show answer

    A. Alfeñique

    The Secretaría de Cultura says calaveritas de azúcar are made of alfeñique, a pure cane-sugar paste that can be molded. The technique came from Spain.

    Source: https://www.cultura.gob.mx/noticias/patrimonio-cultural-arquitectura-y-turismo/16743-las-calaveritas-de-azucar-una-dulce-tradicion-para-el-dia-de-muertos.html

  6. 6. Where do calaveritas de azúcar originate?

    1. The convents of Seville
    2. Victorian fairs in London
    3. The Mesoamerican tzompantli
    4. The carnivals of Venice
    Show answer

    C. The Mesoamerican tzompantli

    The Secretaría de Cultura says calaveritas de azúcar originate in the tzompantli, a Mesoamerican altar lined with rows of skulls.

    Source: https://www.cultura.gob.mx/noticias/patrimonio-cultural-arquitectura-y-turismo/16743-las-calaveritas-de-azucar-una-dulce-tradicion-para-el-dia-de-muertos.html

  7. 7. According to Mexico City's government, why is water offered on the ofrenda?

    1. To water the cempasúchil flowers
    2. To quench the thirst of the dead, who were believed to arrive thirsty after the long journey
    3. To wash the candles before lighting them
    4. To cook the bread of the dead
    Show answer

    B. To quench the thirst of the dead, who were believed to arrive thirsty after the long journey

    Ancestors offered water because the dead were believed to arrive thirsty after the long journey. Today it keeps its meaning of purification.

    Source: https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/day-of-the-dead-ofrendas/

  8. 8. According to Mexico City's government, why is salt placed on the ofrenda?

    1. To season the bread of the dead
    2. To protect the house from thieves
    3. To decorate the altar
    4. As a purifying element, so the body does not decay
    Show answer

    D. As a purifying element, so the body does not decay

    According to Mexico City's government, salt is offered as a purifying element so that the body does not decay.

    Source: https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/day-of-the-dead-ofrendas/

  9. 9. According to the legend recorded by Mexico City's government, why was cempasúchil given to mortals?

    1. At the request of the god Tenoch, who was deeply saddened by the deaths after the conquest of Tenochtitlan
    2. At the request of a Spanish friar who wanted to decorate the cemeteries
    3. To pay the dead for their passage to Mictlan
    4. Because it bloomed only in the rainy season
    Show answer

    A. At the request of the god Tenoch, who was deeply saddened by the deaths after the conquest of Tenochtitlan

    According to the legend, the god Tenoch asked that cempasúchil be given to mortals, saddened by the dead after the conquest of Tenochtitlan.

    Source: https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/day-of-the-dead-ofrendas/

  10. 10. Which place in Mexico City is most famous for its Day of the Dead celebrations?

    1. Teotihuacán
    2. San Andrés Mixquic, in Tláhuac
    3. Taxco
    4. Tulum
    Show answer

    B. San Andrés Mixquic, in Tláhuac

    Mexico City's official site says San Andrés Mixquic, in Tláhuac, is best known for its Day of the Dead celebrations.

    Source: https://mexicocity.cdmx.gob.mx/venues/san-andres-mixquic/

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