Can You Pass This Lent Quiz?

By: Talin Vartanian
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Pass This Lent Quiz?
Image: stevenallan/E+/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Lent is a period of different types of fasting, which includes giving up meals, particular food groups, items or leisurely activities. This also depends on the religion, church and a person's own morals and ethics regarding Lent.

Some people like to give up sweets, soda, video games or TV during the spring period of Lent, while others take it more seriously by not eating for several days out of the week. There are also different types of rules on what you can and cannot eat during Lent, but that also depends on the particular church you're involved with. For example, Eastern Orthodox Churches are more strict regarding Lent rules than Roman Catholic Churches.

Lent is observed during the spring months, right before Easter. Aside from fasting, it also involves enhancing and maintaining a spiritual connection with the Lord. This can be through various activities, such as reading certain scriptures of the Bible or going on prayer walks.

In this quiz, we'll take a look at the history of Lent, the types of "rules" that certain churches follow and what should not be consumed in terms of food and drinks. If you think you're an expert on Lent, try and score 90 percent on this quiz now!

When does Lent start?
On Ash Wednesday
On Easter Day
The day before Ash Wednesday
The first Sunday of March
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lent starts on Ash Wednesday. It is considered to be 46 days long (Sundays don't count), and goes until Easter.

"Lent" originates from which of these words?
Lex legis
Lencten
Linteum
Lino
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Lencten" has Old English origins, which translates to the word, "spring." Hence, Lent occurs during the spring months.

What is Good Friday?
The day Lent ends
The day Jesus rose from the dead
A day of over-eating
The day Jesus was crucified on the cross
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus was crucified on the cross on Good Friday. This is also the Friday that comes before Easter Sunday.

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Why is the day called "Ash" Wednesday?
It represents a day of indulgence and over-eating
It was the day that Jesus rose from the dead
Devoted followers burn the palms from Palm Sunday into ash, and smear it on their foreheads.
It signifies Jesus' birthday
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The day is called "Ash" Wednesday because of the ash that followers smear on their foreheads. It comes from the ashes of the palms from Palm Sunday.

Which of these holidays represents Fat Tuesday?
Valentine's Day
Easter
Christmas
Mardi Gras
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On Fat Tuesday, a big party is held in New Orleans, Louisiana, which is known as Mardi Gras. This is a day of overindulgence in eating and drinking and eating​ since Lent starts the day after (on Ash Wednesday).

According to old Catholic tradition, what can't you eat during Lent?
Warm-blooded animals
Cold-blooded animals
Plants
Candy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mammals are warm-blooded creatures and should not be consumed during Lent, according to old Catholic tradition. Examples of warm-blooded animals include pigs and chicken.

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What is the official color of Lent?
Red
Violet
Turquoise
Yellow
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Violet is a type of purple color that also represents Lent. Violet is also a royal color that is used to acknowledge the resurrection of Jesus.

When does Lent end?
Easter
Good Friday
Good Thursday
Ash Wednesday
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Good Thursday is when Lent officially ends. This is due to The Last Supper, which was the last meal Jesus consumed before he was crucified.

Which of these days is NOT part of Lent?
Friday
Sunday
Saturday
Wednesday
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sundays are actually not part of Lent. This makes Lent 46 days long (because it excludes Sundays), rather than 40 days long.

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Why do we celebrate Lent?
To be gluttonous and eat whatever we want
It celebrates Jesus' birthday
Jesus spent 40 days in the desert
It celebrates the construction of churches
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Since Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert, Lent is about giving something up to honor this. This also occurred after his baptism.

What is Easter Sunday?
The day Jesus rose from the dead
Jesus' birthday
The day Jesus was crucified
The Last Supper of Jesus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An Easter bunny and fun-colored eggs are part of the non-religious festivities associated with Easter Sunday. This was the day when Jesus rose from the dead.

According to the Conference of Catholic Bishops, what is the age range for those who should fast on Ash Wednesday?
18-59
14-95
16-46
17-54
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The correct answer is 18-59. On Ash Wednesday (and Good Friday as well), those in this age group are expected to fast.

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Which type of meat are you allowed to consume on the Fridays during Lent?
Pork
Beef
Chicken
Fish
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the traditions of Lent, you're not supposed to eat any meat on Fridays. The only exception is fish.

Which of the following are you supposed to give up for Lent?
TV
Candy
Any leisurely activity or item
Video games
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lent is about honoring the fasting that Jesus went through for 40 days in the desert. Although there are certain days of fasting during Lent, the tradition is now more about giving up any leisurely activity or item.

Which of the following is NOT part of Lent?
Overindulgence
Acts of charity
Giving up something
Only eating fish on Fridays
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Overindulgence is NOT part of Lent, but it is a part of Fat Tuesday, which occurs the day before Lent begins. Acts of charity are also a big part of Lent, such as giving away money or toys.

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According to the Conference of Catholic Bishops, what is considered fasting on Ash Wednesday?
Consuming several meals that contain meat
Consuming one meal that may also contain meat
Consuming one meal that doesn't contain meat
Not eating at all
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Those who follow Lent practices according to the Conference of Catholic Bishops should only eat one meal during Ash Wednesday (and Good Friday). This meal must not have meat in it.

The day after Good Friday is called...?
Fat Saturday
Easter Saturday
Harmonious Saturday
Holy Saturday
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The last day of Holy Week is Holy Saturday, which is the day before Easter Sunday. On this day, Jesus rested in his tomb after his crucifixion.

"Mini-Easter" days occur on which days during Lent?
Tuesdays
Sundays
Saturdays
Mondays
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sundays during Lent are known as "mini-Easter" days. These days don't count toward Lent, hence why Lent is actually 46 days long.

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When does Lent begin for Eastern churches?
On Monday, seven weeks before Easter
On Sunday, five weeks before Easter
On Tuesday, five weeks before Easter
On Wednesday, seven weeks before Easter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

For Eastern churches, Lent begins on Monday, seven weeks before the Easter holiday. It also ends on a Friday for a total of 40 days.

Which of the following observes "Great Lent"?
Anglicans
Roman Catholics
Lutherans
Eastern Orthodox
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate "Great Lent," which lasts for 40 days. With "Great Lent," the tradition starts on a Monday and ends on a Friday, and also includes both Saturdays and Sundays.

When did Lent become official?
During the Post-diluvian Period
During the Noachian Age
During the First Council of Nicaea
During the Mosaic Age
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During 325 CE, the First Council of Nicaea took place, which made Lent official. Now known as Ä°znik,Turkey, Nicaea was where this first council was held.

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When Lent became official, which of the following could be consumed?
Fish
Plants
Butter
Eggs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Plants could be consumed during the early days of Lent, but not fish, eggs or butter. This also included all types of meat as well.

During the early days of Lent, when were you allowed to consume your one meal?
During the evening
During the afternoon
During the morning
No meals were allowed.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During the early days of Lent, you had to wait until the evenings to consume your meal. Only one meal was allowed, which only occur now on Good Friday and Ash Wednesday.

For Orthodox Christians, which of the following is allowed for consumption during Lent?
Water
Wine
Milk
Olive oil
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Water is allowed for liquid consumption for Orthodox Christians during Lent. Olive oil, milk and wine are all prohibited.

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When did the Roman Catholics become more lenient regarding traditional Lenten rules?
During WWI
During WWII
During the Hundred Years' War
During the American Revolution
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

During WWII, the Roman Catholics became more lenient regarding traditional Lenten rules. This meant that only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday were "strict" days of fasting.

Which of these churches does NOT traditionally observe Lent?
Roman Catholic
Lutheran
Evangelical
Anglican
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Evangelical churches don't traditionally observe Lent. Many other types of Protestants also don't traditionally observe Lent, as well as some nondenominational churches.

The "Book of Common Prayer" is studied and practiced by Anglican churches. What does this book say regarding Lent?
The duration of Lent is only 36 days.
One should give up an item or leisurely activity during Lent.
One should not have to fast during Lent.
Lent should be practiced along with fasting.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to the "Book of Common Prayer," Anglicans should fast during Lent. Other churches, like Lutheran, denote giving up an item or activity during Lent.

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"Cheesefare Week" refers to the week _______ Lent.
Before
During
After
It doesn't refer to Lent
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The week before Lent is known as "Cheesefare Week," which is also called "Pancake Week." This is the week of preparation for fasting for Eastern Orthodox churches.

What does a "media" fast refer to during Lent?
Abstaining from media, such as movies and TV shows
Indulging in a variety of media, including video games and movies
Abstaining from certain food groups
Abstaining from eating at all during certain days
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If someone is on a "media" fast during Lent, that means that the person has chosen to give up certain aspects of media. This includes movies, TV shows, video games, the news, etc.

What does a "partial" fast refer to during Lent?
Not praying at all during Lent
Not consuming any liquid for one to two days out of the week
Giving up a food item
Fasting entirely for one to two days out of the week
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If someone is on a "partial" fast during Lent, this refers to giving up a certain food group. This could be anything from soda, candy, gluten, carbs, sugar, etc.

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To what does "alms-giving" refer?
Consuming wine
Reading
Fasting
Charity
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Charity work is synonymous with "alms-giving." Examples of charity work that can be done during Lent include donations and yard work for a church.

Which of the following is NOT a practice during Lent?
Fasting
Overindulgence
Almsgiving
Prayer
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Overindulgence is not one of the three practices of Lent, and is the opposite of what Lent is supposed to be about. The rest of the answers are, in fact, the three practices of Lent.

Which of the following is NOT a Holy Day during Lent?
Clean Monday
Spy Wednesday
Maundy Thursday
Fat Tuesday
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras, starts the day before Lent begins, but is not considered a Holy Day. The rest of the answers in the list are Holy Days.

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According to the Roman Catholic Church, which of these days does NOT make up the Easter Triduum?
Holy Saturday
Holy Thursday
Clean Monday
Good Friday
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Clean Monday is not part of the Easter Triduum, which consists of the evening from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday. This counts as three evenings, or three days long.

What is a "whole" fast?
When someone fasts from entire meals one to two days of the week
When someone gives up a singular food group
When someone gives up a toy or item
When someone gives up a leisurely activity
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A "whole" fast refers to not eating for one to two days out of the week. This is different from a "partial" fast, which refers to giving up a particular food group.

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