Image: Andrew Theodorakis/Stringer/Getty Images News/Getty Images
About This Quiz
Get out your party hats and sparklers! New Year's Eve is the night when young and old stay up past midnight to ring in the new year. Fireworks blast off around the globe while bottles of champagne pour a bubbly sea of mirth. What are the different ways people celebrate New Year's, and how can you ensure good luck for the next 12 months?
What does "auld lang syne" mean?
"times gone by"
"Auld Lang Syne," which means "times gone by," is an extremely old Scottish song that was first written down in the 1700s.
"for the future"
"old gang sign"
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During fireworks shows, what determines the pattern of a firework explosion?
the amount of gunpowder
timing of the explosion
the arrangement of star pellets inside the shell
The pattern that an aerial shell paints in the sky depends on the arrangement of star pellets inside the shell.
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Which place was the last to celebrate the new millennium on Jan. 1, 2000?
Antarctica
Russia
Hawaii
The place that was the first to celebrate New Year's on Jan. 1, 2000, was situated along the International Date Line, which runs through the Pacific Ocean slightly to the west of Hawaii. Hawaii was therefore one of the very last places to celebrate the new year.
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During the Chinese New Year, what activity should you avoid to ward off bad luck?
wearing red
using scissors
Avoid using scissors or knives, or else you may cut off your chances for a lucky new year.
cleaning the house
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What year did the New Year's celebration in Times Square begin?
1904
The Times Square celebration started in 1904 to commemorate the opening of the new headquarters of the New York Times.
1912
1933
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What fruit do New Year's revelers in Spain eat at the stroke of midnight?
oranges
grapes
Spaniards traditionally eat 12 grapes at midnight -- one for each month of the new year. The tradition began in 1909 as a way to consume the grape surplus in the Alicante region.
pears
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Which of the following is not eaten to symbolize a financially prosperous new year?
cabbage
lentils
pork
Some people eat cabbage and other greens, as well as lentils and peas, to bring good financial luck; pork, on the other hand, symbolizes progress.
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If you're superstitious, which of the following would you avoid eating on New Year's?
lobster
Because lobsters walk backwards, they symbolize regression to some people.
steak
fish
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Which country rings in New Year's by burning effigies called Jack Straw?
Czech Republic
Romania
Hungary
Hungarians burn effigies of Jack Straw, an imaginary man meant to symbolize evil.
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Which country refers to New Year's Eve as Hogmanay?
New Zealand
Scotland
Scots welcome the new year with celebrations they call Hogmanay that begin on New Year's Eve.
Ireland
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You Got:
/10
Andrew Theodorakis/Stringer/Getty Images News/Getty Images
