Lovely senior life

[For Seniors] Fun Brain Training! Spring-Themed Quiz

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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.
Worked as a certified care worker for 17 years.Nanaka
I’ve been working as a certified care worker for 17 years. I’m Nanaka, a caregiving web writer. I decided to pursue this profession because I wanted a job that would help people. Having worked in day care for many years, I’ve experienced a wide variety of recreational activities. Exercise set to music, in particular, always created a cheerful atmosphere and was very well received. I’d be delighted to continue delivering writing that resonates with readers through caregiving-related articles. Thank you for your support.

When the warm spring arrives, it somehow lifts both body and soul, doesn’t it?

Cherry blossoms bloom, and you can fully enjoy spring flavors like strawberries, bamboo shoots, and bonito.

In this article, we present quizzes related to the warm spring season.

There are plenty of quizzes about spring, including ones on the Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival), a springtime event, and on spring delicacies.

Even seniors with a wealth of life experience may discover something new.

Feel the joy of spring and give it a try!

[For Seniors] Fun Brain Training! Spring-Themed Quiz (21–30)

What were hina-arare, eaten during the Doll’s Festival, originally made by crushing?

hishi mochi (diamond-shaped layered rice cake)
kagami mochi (traditional Japanese New Year rice cake decoration)
Sakura mochi

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hishi mochi (diamond-shaped layered rice cake)

It is said that hina-arare originated from hishi-mochi that was crushed and roasted to make it easier to eat outdoors.

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Are worker bees male or female?

Bees that fly around outside and collect nectar to bring back to the hive give us the impression that they contribute to the colony.

So, which sex are these commonly seen worker bees—male or female? Considering that there is a queen inside the hive and that worker bees do not have reproductive capability, you might be able to guess.

The answer is that, like the queen, worker bees are female.

Males are born only during the breeding season, so most of the bees you see are likely females.

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[For Seniors] Fun Brain Training! Spring-Themed Quiz (31–40)

Cherry blossoms were considered inauspicious plants during the Edo period—why was that?

Because it scatters quickly, it has an image of “falling.”
Because it looks shabby since it falls off quickly
Because it gives the impression of being fickle since it falls apart so quickly.

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Because it gives the impression of being fickle since it falls apart so quickly.

Because cherry blossoms have short lives and quickly lose their color after falling, they were associated with negative impressions.

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Which prefecture has the highest production of melons, a fruit that is in season in May?

Melons are widely seen as a luxury fruit in Japan, and their peak season is said to arrive in May.

So which prefecture produces the most melons that are in season in May? Since melons need well-drained soil and a warm climate to grow vigorously, let’s consider those environmental features as well.

The answer is Ibaraki Prefecture, which enjoys a warm climate throughout the year and ranks first in Japan in both cultivation area and production volume.

Ibaraki also offers original melon varieties, so it’s worth looking those up too.

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What is the official name of the marble inside a bottle of ramune?

Ramune in glass bottles is a quintessential symbol of summer.

Drinking a well-chilled bottle of ramune on a hot summer day can blow the heat away.

Speaking of bottled ramune, its hallmark is the glass marble inside.

The official name of this marble is the “A-dama” (A marble).

Marbles that met the standard—specifically, those without any distortions that could be used as the bottle’s stopper—were called A-dama.

Those that didn’t meet the standard were called B-dama and became the toy marbles known as “bīdama.” Back when bottled ramune was first sold, many B-dama were produced, and shops that sold ramune would hand them out to children.

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Mosquitoes also suck things other than human blood. What are they?

When you think of mosquitoes, the first thing that comes to mind is probably “sucking blood.” But in fact, they drink more than just blood.

So what else do they drink? Here’s a hint: something sweet.

The answer is… flower nectar.

Mosquitoes actually sip nectar regularly to replenish their energy.

Only females drink blood, and only because they need it to develop their eggs—males drink nectar exclusively.

Learning a new side of a familiar creature can spark conversation and stimulate the brain while enjoying the feel of the season.

It’s a tidbit you’ll remember the next time you hear that buzzing sound in the summer.

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Difficult-to-read kanji related to spring

[Difficult Kanji Related to Spring] 20 Questions! A quiz of tricky kanji readings for flowers, plants, birds, foods, and more [For Seniors]

Difficult-to-read kanji related to spring

Spring is a season when we feel warmth, and many people strongly associate it with plants and animals becoming active.

This is a quiz that challenges you to read kanji related to spring, including springtime plants and animals.

It can be hard to give the reading from the kanji alone, so it may be easier if you use the kanji used and the season to make an educated guess.

You might find that there are words you know in speech but have never had a chance to write in kanji, so this quiz could lead to new discoveries.

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