Day of the Dead Worksheet

What two traditions does the Day of the Dead combine?

• An Aztec custom and All Souls’ Day

• Halloween and Thanksgiving

• Christmas and Easter

• Independence Day and Labor Day

On which dates is the Day of the Dead mostly celebrated in Mexico?

• December 24th and 25th

• November 1st and 2nd

• October 31st and November 1st

• July 4th and 5th

Why do families set up altars with favorite foods and items during the Day of the Dead?

• To sell them at the market

• To remember and honor ancestors who have passed away

• To decorate their homes for fun

• To prepare for a parade

How do sugar skulls represent people during the Day of the Dead celebration?

• They are used as toys for children

• They have the person’s name on them and are decorated with ribbons and sweets

• They are eaten as candy during the festival

• They are used to scare away bad spirits

Imagine you are planning a Day of the Dead celebration. What are two things you would include to honor your ancestors, and why would you choose them?

• I would include their favorite foods and a photo of them, because these show what they loved and help remember them.

• I would include fireworks and balloons, because they are fun.

• I would include sports equipment and video games, because I like them.

• I would include only flowers, because they are pretty.

What is the main purpose of the Dia de los Muertos celebration?

• To celebrate birthdays

• To honor those who have passed away

• To welcome the new year

• To celebrate weddings

What are sugar skulls, or calaveritas de azucar, made of?

• Chocolate

• Clay

• Sugar

• Wood

Why do people write names on the top of sugar skulls?

• To show who made the skull

• To recognize the person who died

• To decorate the skulls

• To sell them at the market

How did the tradition of making sugar skulls begin in Mexico?

• It started as a Halloween tradition

• It was brought by the Spaniards who molded decorations from ingredients

• It was invented by children

• It was a modern invention

Why are the colors of the sugar skulls important in Dia de los Muertos celebrations?

• They make the skulls taste better

• They represent life and the celebration of those who have passed

• They help the skulls last longer

• They are used to scare away bad spirits