TASK DEFINITION: You will be given a trivia clue, and the category it belongs to. You should answer with the best answer that belongs in the category and is described by the clue. For consistency, answers should be in all lower cased letters.
PROBLEM: Category: WORLD FLAGS 
Clue: In 1996, to represent unity, Ethiopia put this 5-pointed star with mystical overtones on its flag

SOLUTION: a pentacle

PROBLEM: Category: HERBS & SPICES 
Clue: In old England this fruit was roasted & served with caraway; "Henry IV, Part 2" mentions it

SOLUTION: apples

PROBLEM: Category: YOU, YOUR HEALTH & YOU 
Clue: Swollen lymph nodes called buboes are the main sign of this disease that devastated 14th century Europe

SOLUTION:
the bubonic plague