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Halloween - True or False?

  •  English    16     Featured
    Read the following statements about Halloween and decide if they're true or false... if you dare!?
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  • True or False: The original Jack O'Lanterns were made from turnips and potatoes. 
    True: They were carved to ward off evil spirits and other unwanted travelers.
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  • True or False: Ireland is believed to be the birthplace of Halloween. 
    True: Halloween was originally an ancient Irish festival called "Samhain", meaning the "end of summer".”
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  • True or False: The word witch comes from the Old English "wicce" meaning "wise woman". 
    False: The word witch derives from the Old English nouns [ˈwittʃɑ] ('sorcerer, male witch, warlock') and [ˈwittʃe] ('sorceress, female witch').
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  • True or False: "Samhainophobia" is the fear of Halloween. 
    True: Halloween was originally an ancient Irish pagan festival called "Samhain".
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  • In the Czech Republic, the country's president addresses the nation every Halloween wearing a costume.
    False
    True
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  • True or False: Halloween originated in Europe but during the 19th century immigrants brought it to North America.
    True: The custom of Halloween came to America in the 1840s with Irish immigrants fleeing a potato famine.
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  • True or False: The name 'Halloween' is not pagan but actually comes from the Catholic church. 
    True: The word "Halloween" comes from All Hallows' Eve. Hundreds of years ago, people dressed up as saints and went door-to-door.
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  • In Italy, priests are not allowed to perform weddings on Halloween.
    True
    False
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  • During the Salem witch trials, two dogs were also executed after being convicted of using witchcraft. 
    True
    False
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  • So many fireworks were set off during Halloween in 2007 that the British Geological Survey initially thought that a minor earthquake had taken place. 
    True
    False
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  • True or False: Halloween is the third most commercially successful holiday, coming behind Valentine's Day and Christmas. 
    False: Halloween is actually the second.
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  • True or False: Trick-or-treating is a "modern" custom.
    False: Hundreds of years ago, people dressed up as saints and went door-to-door.
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  • True or False: Halloween was originally the celebration of the New Year. 
    True: "Samhain" was celebrated on the 1st of November so the day before they would celebrate the turning of the new year.
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  • True or False: Halloween was banned during WWII.
    True: The government made sure that youngsters knew that pranks and mischief fell under the same category as sabotage in this time of war.
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  • True or False: The most popular children’s costumes are witches and ghosts. 
    False: Princesses and superheroes have been the most popular costumes for children over the last few years. Adults are more likely to dress as witches.
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  • True or False: Owls were once thought to be witches. 
    True: In Medieval Europe, owls were believed to be witches and if an owl’s call was heard, it meant that a person was about to die.
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