--- title: "New Year Winter Trivia: A Student Challenge" url: "https:\/\/britannicaeducation.com\/blog\/winter-trivia\/" published: "2024-12-15T23:27:00+00:00" modified: "2026-04-17T20:38:16+00:00" author: "Britannica Education" description: "Educators, this winter trivia challenge is tailor-made for you and your students! As students get back into the semester groove, it's essential to keep their attention in the classroom." --- # New Year Winter Trivia: A Student Challenge Educators, this winter trivia challenge is tailor-made for you and your students! As students get back into the semester groove, it's essential to keep their attention in the classroom. ![Thistle background graphic](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/themes/britannica-education/assets/img/backgrounds/thistle.svg) - [ Home ](https://britannicaeducation.com/) - [ Blog ](https://britannicaeducation.com/blog/) - New Year… New Year Winter Trivia: A Student Challenge ![Illustration of a winter landscape with a house, fence, and snow covered trees](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/be-blog-winter-trivia.jpg) [Interactive Quiz](https://britannicaeducation.com/blog/category/quiz/) # New Year Winter Trivia: A Student Challenge ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/BE_Thistle-Variation-1.svg) December 15, 2024 **FREE DOWNLOAD** ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/be-blog-ai-playbook-hero.jpg) **[5 Plays for AI-Powered Planning](https://britannicaeducation.com/blog/5-plays-for-ai-powered-planning/)** Navigate and champion AI at your school, district, or library. [Get the Playbook](https://britannicaeducation.com/blog/5-plays-for-ai-powered-planning/) **SPARK LEARNING THAT LASTS** [![Text: Curious Kids. Award-Winning Results. ](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/be-Early-Elementary-Britannica-School-Blog.png)](https://britannicaeducation.com/solutions/prek-12/britannica-school/early-elementary/) **[Britannica School: Early Elementary](https://britannicaeducation.com/solutions/prek-12/britannica-school/early-elementary/)** - Trustworthy articles - Engaging videos - Seamless translation - Leveled text - Built-in accessibility tools [Fuel Curiosity](https://britannicaeducation.com/solutions/prek-12/britannica-school/early-elementary/) **RESOURCE HUB** ![illustration of boy holding a green checkmark in one hand and a red X in the other hand with a question mark thought bubble](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/be-Media-Literacy-Hub-Header.jpeg) **[Media Literacy for the Digital Era](https://britannicaeducation.com/media-literacy/)** Trusted Resources for Navigating Modern Media [View Now](https://britannicaeducation.com/media-literacy/) Ready to break the ice with some winter wisdom? **Educators, this winter trivia challenge is tailor-made for you and your students!** As students get back into the semester groove, it’s essential to keep their attention in the classroom. Beyond being a fun activity, this trivia offers an engaging way to teach about winter’s wonders. **Did you know marshmallows were once used as a medicinal syrup? **That’s right! Winter isn’t just cozy nights by the fireplace or snowball fights. It’s a season filled with fascinating facts, age-old traditions, and mysteries waiting to be unraveled. Today, I invite your classroom to join me on a journey through a winter wonderland of trivia. So, educators, grab your cocoa, encourage your students to put on their thinking caps (make sure they’re warm ones!), and let’s dive into some cool winter wisdom bound to surprise and educate them. ## **Winter’s Mysteries Unveiled: A 20-Question Adventure** Defrost your students’ curiosity and test knowledge with these 20 questions spanning history, science, and culture. Ready for the challenge? Let’s begin! Marshmallow Quiz ** - 1. What was the original purpose of marshmallows before they became a popular candy? * a) a sweetener in desserts - b) medicinal syrup and ointment - c) building material for igloos - d) an ingredient in soups and stews The correct answer is b) medicinal syrup and ointment.** Originally, [marshmallows](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/marshmallow/51123) were made from the root sap of the [marsh mallow](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/marsh-mallow/51105) plant (Althaea officinalis*), combined with sugar and egg white. This concoction served as a medicinal syrup and ointment, known for its soothing properties to treat ailments like sore throats, coughs, and skin irritations. Over the years, the use of marshmallows transitioned from medicinal to culinary, evolving into the sweet treat we know today. ** ![Marshmallow ingredients and preparation](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/be-blog-winter-trivia-marshmallow.jpg) © Whiskybottle/Dreamstime.com - 2. What percentage of Earth’s surface is covered by snow either permanently or temporarily? *a) 10 percent - b) 23 percent - c) 35 percent - d) 50 percent The correct answer is b) 23 percent.** [Snow](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/snow/68389), in its solid form, covers approximately 23 percent of Earth’s surface, either permanently in places like the polar ice caps or temporarily during certain seasons in various regions. This snow coverage is vital in reflecting sunlight and influencing the planet’s weather patterns and ecosystems. - **3. How many times does the winter solstice happen each year?** a) 2 - b) 3 - c) 12 - d) 1 The correct answer is **a) 2.** The [winter solstice](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/winter-solstice/571105) occurs twice annually: once in the Northern Hemisphere around December 21 or 22, when the Sun’s path is farthest south, and once in the Southern Hemisphere around June 20 or 21, when the Sun’s path is farthest north. This event marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year in each respective hemisphere and also signifies the beginning of the winter season. ** ![Diagram showing Earth](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/be-blog-winter-trivia-sun-earth-diagram.jpg) - 4. How do snowflakes form? a) from dust particles with sunlight influence - b) directly from water vapor based on altitude - c) around dust at temperatures above −40 °C, influenced by temperature and water vapor - d) from frozen raindrops affected by wind speed The correct answer is c) around dust at temperatures above −40 °C, influenced by temperature and water vapor.** Snowflakes form from ice crystals that generally have a [hexagonal](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/hexagon/635123#352701.toc) pattern. Their shape is primarily determined by the surrounding temperature and the amount of water vapor available during formation. - **5. What is the name of the northern lights, a natural light display in Earth’s sky, predominantly seen in the polar regions?** a) Stellar Lights - b) Cosmic Glow - c) Aurora Borealis - d) Celestial Sparkles The correct answer is **c) Aurora Borealis.** Also known as the [northern lights](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/northern-lights/56257), the [Aurora Borealis](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/aurora/11293) illuminates Earth’s upper atmosphere in the Northern Hemisphere’s high latitudes. This dazzling display results from solar wind particles interacting with atmospheric atoms, producing radiant curtains, arcs, and bands in colors like greenish-blue and red. ** ![Aurora Borealis over snowy landscape](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/be-blog-winter-trivia-q5.jpg) © Anton Petrus—Moment/Getty Images - 6. Another word for “a person who travels to an area of warmth and sun, especially in winter,” is a: a) sunseeker - b) gull - c) gulpin - d) gudgeon The correct answer is a) sunseeker.** We have been calling people who travel south for the winter “sunseekers” since the mid-20th century. Sunseekers are doing a form of [migration](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/migration/110424). - **7. Which of these is a form of small-sled racing in which the rider lies on their back and steers by subtle leg and shoulder movements?** a) skeleton sledding - b) dogsled racing - c) bobsledding - d) lugeing The correct answer is **d) lugeing.** [Lugeing](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/lugeing/49294), or luge tobogganing, is a distinct form of small-sled racing. Unlike other sled sports where steering involves handles or large shifts in weight, lugers control direction through precise leg and shoulder movements—reaching speeds of up to 90 mph while lying inches above the ice. - **8. Which winter holiday is celebrated sometime between January 21 and February 20?** a) Christmas - b) Hanukkah - c) Kwanzaa - d) Lunar New Year The correct answer is **d) Lunar New Year.** Celebrated across many Asian countries, this festival marks the beginning of the [lunar calendar](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/calendar/273455) year, falling between January 21 and February 20. Predominantly known as the Spring Festival in [China](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/China/272682) (see [Chinese New Year](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Chinese-New-Year/574653)*), traditions include cleaning homes, family gatherings, festive foods, red envelopes, and fireworks. ** ![Lunar New Year celebrations](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/be-blog-winter-trivia-q8.jpg) © Toa55 — iStock/Getty Images Plus - 9. What year was the first Winter Olympics held? a) 1912 - b) 1920 - c) 1924 - d) 1930 The correct answer is c) 1924.** The first Winter Olympics, originally called the International Winter Sports Week, took place in [Chamonix, France](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Chamonix-1924-Olympic-Winter-Games/125300), from January 25 to February 5, 1924. Though not initially recognized by the [International Olympic Committee (IOC)](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/International-Olympic-Committee/42597) as official Games, its success led the IOC to establish the permanent [Winter Olympic Games](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Olympic-Games/108519). - **10. What happens on the winter solstice?** a) The Moon moves into the shadow of the Earth cast by the Sun - b) The Sun travels the shortest path through the sky - c) The Moon comes between the Sun and Earth - d) The Sun travels the longest path through the sky The correct answer is **b) The Sun travels the shortest path through the sky.** The [winter solstice](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/winter-solstice/571105) occurs when the [Sun’s](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Sun/110144) apparent path is at its lowest point in the sky, resulting in the shortest day and longest night of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, this happens around December 21–22; in the Southern Hemisphere, around June 20–21. Many cultures celebrate this turning point as a symbol of renewal and the return of longer days. - **11. Which game is similar to ice hockey and is played almost exclusively in the Scandinavian countries, the Baltic states, and Mongolia?** a) curling - b) bandy - c) jai alai - d) lacrosse The correct answer is **b) bandy.** [Bandy](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/bandy/13146) resembles [ice hockey](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/ice-hockey/108494) and is popular in the Scandinavian countries, the Baltic states, and Mongolia. Teams of 8–11 players on skates use curved sticks to hit a ball on a large rink. The game began in 18th-century England and is often considered the forerunner of modern ice hockey. ** ![Bandy players on ice](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/be-winter-trivia-q11.jpg) Scissorhill - 12. Which of the following best describes the phenomenon within the Arctic Circle during the winter solstice? a) The Sun remains at its highest point all day. - b) The Sun sets but rises again shortly after. - c) The Sun does not rise for the entire day. - d) The Sun rises but sets again shortly after. The correct answer is c) The Sun does not rise for the entire day.** On the day of the [winter solstice](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/winter-solstice/571105) in the [Arctic Circle](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Arctic-Circle/9307), the region experiences 24 hours of darkness—its shortest day and longest night. This occurs because Earth’s axial tilt points the North Pole away from the Sun during winter. - **13. The largest continental glacier, or ice sheet, in the Northern Hemisphere covers most of which island?** a) Iceland - b) Novaya Zemlya - c) Greenland - d) Baffin Island The correct answer is **c) Greenland.** The major physical feature of [Greenland](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Greenland-Ice-Sheet/37979), the world’s largest island, is its massive continental glacier or ice sheet. It covers nearly 85 percent of Greenland’s total land area and is second only to Antarctica’s in size. - **14. Who dominated dog sled racing in the 1980s and early 1990s, winning the Iditarod four times?** a) Libby Riddles - b) Susan Butcher - c) DeeDee Jonrowe - d) Martin Buser The correct answer is **b) Susan Butcher.** A trailblazer in [sled-dog racing](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/dogsled-racing/30801), [Susan Butcher](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Susan-Butcher/124942) trained dogs from the age of 16 and went on to win Alaska’s [Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Iditarod-Trail-Sled-Dog-Race/42028) four times during the 1980s and early 1990s. ** ![Susan Butcher with sled dogs](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/be-blog-winter-trivia-q14.jpg) © Troy / Adobe Stock - 15. What’s the best thing to do when you see corn snow? a) grab your wallet - b) grab your ice pick - c) grab your spoon - d) grab your skis The correct answer is d) grab your skis.** Corn snow refers to granular snow created by cycles of thawing and refreezing. [Skiers](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/skiing/68104) prize it when they can’t get fresh powder—the fine, dry, light snow that experts love. - **16. During the Harbin Ice Festival in China, people visit immense ice structures that are lit up with:** a) fireworks - b) neon lights - c) candles - d) glow-in-the-dark paint The correct answer is **b) neon lights**. During the [Harbin](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Harbin/39210) Ice Festival in China, visitors explore massive ice structures and sculptures illuminated with vivid neon lighting—creating a dazzling winter wonderland. ** ![Harbin Ice Festival neon-lit ice structures](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/be-blog-winter-trivia-q16.jpg) © analysis121980 / Adobe Stock - 17. Which animals are considered true hibernators, undergoing significantly reduced metabolic activity during winter? a) bears and raccoons - b) hedgehogs and bats - c) amphibians and reptiles - d) desert animals escaping the summer heat The correct answer is b) hedgehogs and bats**. True [hibernators](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/hibernation/40353) such as [hedgehogs](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/hedgehog/39790), [bats](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/bat/105976), and some rodents can drop body temperature near 0 °C (32 °F), breathe only a few times per minute, and slow their heartbeats to conserve energy through winter. ** ![Hedgehog curled up in leaves](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/be-blog-winter-trivia-q17.jpg) © kichigin19 / stock.adobe.com - 18. Immigrants from which nationality introduced the tradition of Santa Claus to the Americas? a) English - b) Dutch - c) French - d) Italian The correct answer is b) Dutch.** Dutch immigrants brought the legend of [Saint Nicholas](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/St-Nicholas/55727) (Sinterklaas) to New Amsterdam (now New York City). Over time, Sinterklaas evolved into modern [Santa Claus](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Santa-Claus/65569). - **19. What is the name of the sledding sport that requires riders to travel headfirst with their faces just inches above the icy course?** a) skeleton sledding - b) lugeing - c) bobsledding - d) dogsled racing The correct answer is **a) skeleton sledding.** In [skeleton sledding](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/skeleton-sledding/68090), athletes race headfirst and prone on narrow sleds—often topping 80 mph (129 km/h). ** ![Skeleton racer on an ice track](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/be-blog-winter-trivia-q19.jpg) © VIAR PRO studio / Adobe Stock - 20. Where did speed skating originate? a) Russia - b) Canada - c) Norway - d) the Netherlands The correct answer is d) the Netherlands.** The Netherlands is widely regarded as the birthplace of [speed skating](https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/speed-skating/69047), with roots dating to at least the 13th century. The sport gained international organization by the late 19th century and entered the Winter Olympics in 1924 (men) and 1960 (women). ### How did you stack up? **You correctly identified 0/0 answers.** How did your classroom fare in our winter trivia challenge? We’re eager to find out! Share your scores, intriguing winter facts, or snapshots of your students diving into the quiz on social media. Remember to tag us @britannica_edu and use the hashtag #WinterTriviaChallenge. If there’s a winter topic sparking your curiosity or one you’d like us to delve into in upcoming posts, don’t hesitate to reach out! 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