Free Printable Autumn Trivia Quiz with Answer Key - Free Printable

Let's go through the Autumn Trivia Quiz step by step and solve each question with explanations.

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1. What date is the start of autumn in Northern hemisphere?

a. September 11
b. September 21 ✔
c. September 30

✔ Answer: b. September 21
Explanation: The autumn equinox, which marks the official start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, typically occurs on September 21 or 22. This is when day and night are nearly equal in length.

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2. What is the name of the moon during the autumn equinox?

a. Grain Moon
b. Harvest Moon ✔
c. Hunter’s Moon

✔ Answer: b. Harvest Moon
Explanation: The Harvest Moon is the full moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox (usually in September). It gets its name because it historically helped farmers harvest crops by providing extra light in the evening.

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3. Who is the divine personification of Fall in Roman mythology?

a. Aestas ✔
b. Demeter
c. Autumnus

✔ Answer: a. Aestas
Explanation: In Roman mythology, Aestas was the goddess of summer and also associated with the transition into autumn. While Demeter is the Greek goddess of agriculture and harvest (linked to fall), she is not Roman. "Autumnus" is more of a personification in later literature, but Aestas is the correct Roman deity.

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4. What would your zodiac sign be if you were born on the 1st of November?

a. Leo
b. Virgo
c. Scorpio ✔

✔ Answer: c. Scorpio
Explanation: The zodiac sign Scorpio spans from October 23 to November 21, so November 1 falls within this range.

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5. Which month marks the beginning of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere?

a. February
b. March ✔
c. April

✔ Answer: b. March
Explanation: The Southern Hemisphere experiences seasons opposite to the Northern Hemisphere. Autumn begins around March 20–21 (autumn equinox) and lasts until June.

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6. In the Jewish tradition, what holiday occurs in the autumn and marks the New Year?

a. Rosh Hashanah ✔
b. Shavuot
c. Hanukkah

✔ Answer: a. Rosh Hashanah
Explanation: Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, celebrated in Tishrei, which usually falls in September or October—during autumn. Shavuot is in spring, and Hanukkah is in winter.

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7. Which flower, associated with Mexico’s Day of the Dead, typically blooms in the autumn season?

a. Aster
b. Rose
c. Marigold ✔

✔ Answer: c. Marigold
Explanation: Marigolds (Cempasúchil) are brightly colored flowers used extensively in Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations in Mexico. They bloom in autumn and are believed to guide spirits back to the world of the living.

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8. Name the pigment that turns the colors of the leaves to red and purple.

a. Chlorophyll
b. Anthocyanin ✔
c. Carotenoid

✔ Answer: b. Anthocyanin
Explanation:
- Chlorophyll gives leaves their green color and breaks down in autumn.
- Carotenoids produce yellow and orange hues (always present, just revealed when chlorophyll fades).
- Anthocyanins are pigments that create red, purple, and blue colors in fall leaves. They are produced in response to bright light and cool temperatures.

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9. Catching leaves in autumn brings good luck.

a. True ✔
b. False

✔ Answer: a. True
Explanation: This is a popular superstition in some cultures. It's said that catching falling leaves in autumn brings good fortune. While not scientifically proven, it's a fun tradition!

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10. Name the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every autumn

a. Holi
b. Diwali ✔
c. Navaratri

✔ Answer: b. Diwali
Explanation: Diwali (the Festival of Lights) is one of the most important Hindu festivals and is celebrated in October or November, depending on the lunar calendar. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.

> Note: Navaratri is also an autumn festival, but it's not primarily known as a "festival of lights." Holi is in spring.

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11. The Oktoberfest, which is held annually during autumn in Munich (Germany), is the world's largest festival of what?

a. Beer ✔
b. Rock music
c. Book

✔ Answer: a. Beer
Explanation: Oktoberfest is the world's largest beer festival, originating in Munich, Germany. It starts in late September and runs into early October, celebrating Bavarian culture and beer.

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12. Which species of butterfly migrates from North America to the West or South during autumn?

a. Monarch ✔
b. Orange-tip
c. Painted lady

✔ Answer: a. Monarch
Explanation: The Monarch butterfly is famous for its long-distance migration from North America to central Mexico (and parts of California) each autumn to escape cold weather. This is one of the most remarkable insect migrations in the world.

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✔ Final Answers Summary:

| Question | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| 1 | b. September 21 |
| 2 | b. Harvest Moon |
| 3 | a. Aestas |
| 4 | c. Scorpio |
| 5 | b. March |
| 6 | a. Rosh Hashanah |
| 7 | c. Marigold |
| 8 | b. Anthocyanin |
| 9 | a. True |
| 10 | b. Diwali |
| 11 | a. Beer |
| 12 | a. Monarch |

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