A Witches’ Brew of Candy, Pumpkins, and More

We’re back with another Halloween quiz—this time with a dash of Chicago style sprinkled on top of the trivia. Whether you celebrate this DIY holiday or not, we hope you’ll find something here to satisfy your craving for editorial arcana.

And in case you missed it (or would like to try it again)—check out our other Halloween quiz.

Subscribers to The Chicago Manual of Style Online may click through to the linked sections of the Manual (cited in some of the answers). (We also offer a 30-day free trial of CMOS Online.)

Note: This quiz is just for fun. Check back next month for our usual CMOS-themed workout.

[Editor’s note: This quiz relies on and links to the 17th edition of CMOS.]

Another Chicago Style Halloween Quiz

1. What kind of word is “Halloween”?

a compound with a contraction

a portmanteau

2. As of October 31, 2023, how many installments have there been of the Halloween movie franchise?

6

13

3. The title character in the 1982 movie that famously features Reese’s Pieces (and Halloween) would be referred to in Chicago style as ET (no periods).

True

It should be E.T. (with periods), as in the title sequence

4. In Chicago style, the candy that famously isn’t featured in the movie mentioned in question 3 would be referred to as m&m’s (in all lowercase, as on the packaging).

True

It should be capitalized: M&M’s

5. In Chicago style, the tricolor pyramid-shaped candies that resemble corn would be referred to as Candy Corn (with initial capitals).

True

False

6. Robert Burns’s poem Halloween was included in a book of his poems published in 1786.

Chicago style

The title of the poem should be in quotation marks, not italics

7. In Chicago style, it would be cobweb (one word) but spider-web (hyphenated).

True

False

8. Pumpkin pie, like Halloween, traces its origins to an ancient Celtic festival.

True

The ancient Celts wouldn’t have had any pumpkins

9. The red-orange color associated with The Chicago Manual of Style was originally intended to invoke the fall foliage in Chicago.

True

False

10. In Chicago style, you’d write that Halloween is celebrated on October 31st.

True

False

11. Bonus question: The ghost of which Shakespearean character appears in The Chicago Manual of Style?

Hamlet’s father (from Hamlet)

Banquo (from Macbeth)

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