[For Seniors] Let's have fun with an autumn-themed quiz!

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.

Autumn is the season when the scorching, sunny days gradually start to cool down.

As autumn deepens, we often think of things like “autumn for eating,” “autumn for reading,” and “autumn for sports.”

We’d love for older adults to experience the feeling of autumn, too.

So this time, we’re introducing “Quizzes About Autumn for Seniors!”

Through conversations that capture the season, you can build seasonal awareness.

We’ve gathered many quizzes on familiar autumn themes, making them easy for seniors to try.

Please enjoy giving them a try!

[For Seniors] Let’s Have Fun with Autumn-Themed Quizzes! (11–20)

What is the reason ginkgo trees are often planted as street trees?

In many towns, roadside trees are planted, adding color to the scenery.

Let’s focus on the ginkgo trees we often see among these street trees: why are they so commonly planted? The leaves, which can be a bit of a nuisance at certain times of year, offer a big hint.

By considering their thick leaves, we can infer the tree’s characteristics.

The answer is that ginkgo trees are highly resilient and hard to burn.

They grow robustly even in urban environments and, in emergencies, provide safety benefits, which is why they are favored as street trees.

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kappamaki

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What month and what day is Halloween?

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October 31

Halloween is an event held every year on October 31. It originates from the fact that, in the ancient Celtic calendar, the end of the year fell on October 31. People believed that on this night the spirits of the dead visited their families, and customs such as bonfires and costumes arose to drive away evil spirits that came at the same time.

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kappamaki

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The third Sunday of October is a day related to family. What is this commemorative day, which was established in 1999?

Do you know what the third Sunday of October is? Here are two hints: it was established in 1999, and it’s a day related to family.

The answer is “Grandchildren’s Day.” This day was designated by the Japan Department Stores Association, which also runs a campaign where toys that grandchildren would love are given away by lottery.

In recent years, it has also become known as a day for giving gifts to grandchildren.

Why not take this opportunity to give a present and strengthen your bond with your grandchild?

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yamamoto

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Ohagi and botamochi are the same food, but which one is made in autumn?

Botamochi and ohagi are traditional Japanese sweets made by lightly pounding a mix of glutinous and non-glutinous rice into balls and wrapping them in sweet red bean paste.

The contents are the same, but which one is eaten in autumn? The answer is ohagi.

There are various theories, but the common one is that the names come from flowers that bloom in each season: the one eaten during the autumn equinoctial week (Higan) is called ohagi, after the autumn flower hagi (bush clover), and the one eaten during the spring Higan is called botamochi, after the spring flower botan (peony).

Incidentally, there are also seasonal names: “yofune” for summer and “kitamado” for winter.

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hiyori

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In Ireland, there is a tradition of drinking a beverage called “Lambs wool” on Halloween. What fruit is it made from?

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Apple

Ireland is known as the birthplace of Halloween, and there, a traditional drink called lambswool made with apples has long been enjoyed. It’s a beverage based on cider—beer made from apples—crafted so that even those who aren’t fond of alcohol can enjoy it easily.

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kappamaki

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What is the fruit that is said to let you divine your future spouse on Halloween night?

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Apple

There’s a type of fortune-telling linked to the classic Halloween game of apple bobbing: you peel the apple you’ve caught into one long strip, twist it three times from east to west, and toss it over your shoulder. If the peel on the floor resembles a letter of the alphabet, that letter is said to be the initial of your future spouse. This custom is said to come from the Celtic people, where Halloween originated.

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sasashina

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[For Seniors] Let’s Have Fun with Autumn-Themed Quizzes! (21–30)

On Halloween in Ireland, people eat “barmbrack.” What is baked into this bread?

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Dried fruit

Barmbrack is a traditional Halloween dish eaten in Ireland. The custom of eating barmbrack dates back to ancient Celtic times, and it is typically served after a meal. Its hallmark is the dried fruit scattered throughout the loaf, giving it a speckled appearance.

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sasashina

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