Halloween Int

Holidays & Events
Halloween
Intermediate Level
Copyright 2016, Red River Press Inc. For use by ESL Library members only. ( I N T / V E R S I O N 2 . 0) 1
Halloween
Holidays & Events
Reading
1. ctober 31 is Halloween. This is not a holiday, but
O 3. A
dults sometimes celebrate Halloween too. They
it is a very special day for children in Canada and have special Halloween parties and dress up in
the United States. On Halloween, children dress costumes. One traditional custom of Halloween is
up in costumes to disguise themselves. Some to put a jack-o’-lantern in the window. To make a
wear masks and others wear makeup. In the jack-o’-lantern, clean out the inside of a pumpkin,
evening, they walk around their neighborhoods carve out a face, and put a candle inside. People
and go from door to door shouting “trick or treat,” often decorate their homes with pictures of
“Halloween apples,” or “shell out.” Children carry black cats, spiders, witches, bats, and ghosts.
bags to collect a variety of treats from their Because the traditional colors of Halloween
neighbors. People give out many different kinds of are black and orange, you can see many stores
treats, such as candy, chocolates, gum, popcorn, filled with products in these colors. Bakeries
etc. In the past, it was also very common to give sell cakes and cookies decorated for Halloween
children apples on Halloween. Children usually and grocery stores are filled with large bags of
collect many, many treats on this evening; the Halloween treats.
treats often last for several weeks.
4. B
ecause Halloween is such a special day for
2. Children look forward to Halloween for a long children, it is important for parents to make sure
time before the day actually arrives. They have their children are safe on this day. Children should
fun deciding what special disguise they will choose wear bright or light costumes so motorists can
for Halloween and planning their costumes. Will see them easily. If children wear masks, the eye
they be ghosts or witches, pumpkins or princesses, holes must be big enough for the children to see
pirates or monsters, or perhaps a famous cartoon out of clearly. Small children should not go out
character or movie star this year? While some trick-or-treating alone. A parent or older brother
children wear store-bought costumes, many or sister should accompany them. Before children
others like to help their parents with the sewing eat their treats, parents should examine them
or preparation of their own special outfit. On carefully. Unfortunately, a cruel person might
Halloween, some children also collect money for put something dangerous into the children’s bags.
UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s This, of course, does not happen very often, but
Education Fund). They carry small black and it is better to be safe than sorry.
orange boxes to hold the money. It is a good idea
5. Have a safe and happy Halloween!
to have change ready for these children when they
come to your door. Many elementary schools hold
parties and celebrations on Halloween. Children
have fun bobbing for apples, carving pumpkins,
and sharing scary ghost stories.
Halloween
Holidays & Events
Vocabulary Review
A. Matching
Match the words on the left to the correct meanings on the right.
1. disguise a) usual
2. mask b) to yell
3. neighborhood c) frightening
4. shout d) a driver
5. collect e) coins
6. variety f) candy, something special
7. treat g) to make beautiful by adding something
8. common h) to gather into one place
9. look forward to i) to cut using a knife
10. outfit j) a covering for the face
11. change k) to move up or down
12. bob l) a district or area where people live
13. carve m) a number of different things
14. scary n) to wait for something with happiness and excitement
15. decorate o) to change your appearance to hide your identity
16. motorist p) several pieces of clothing that go together
B. Complete the Sentences
Choose the correct word or phrase from the left column above to
complete the following sentences. (You may have to change the verb tense.)
1. After the long, cold winter, I am to spring.
2. She couldn’t sleep last night because she had seen a very movie.
3. The thief wore a during the bank robbery.
4. She bought a beautiful, new to wear to the party.
5. Many families gather together to a tree at Christmas.
6. If you don’t have a bus pass or bus tickets, you need to have exact when you take a bus.
7. That bakery has a large of cakes and cookies every day.
8. H
e doesn’t want to move to a new apartment because right
now he lives in a very quiet, safe .
9. Many children like to for apples at Halloween parties.
10. She wore a long wig and dark glasses to her appearance.
Halloween
Holidays & Events
Comprehension
Practice asking and answering the following questions with
your partner. Then write your answers in your notebook.
1. When is Halloween? 7. What kind of costumes do

children wear on Halloween?
2. Do people have to go to work on Halloween?
8. How do you make a jack-o’-lantern?
3. What do children wear on Halloween?
9. What are the traditional colors of Halloween?
4. What do children do on Halloween?
10. List four things parents and children can do
5. Why is it a good idea to have a dish of nickels,
to make Halloween a safe and fun evening.
dimes, quarters, etc. near your door on Halloween?
11. Explain the expression: “It’s better to
6. What do you usually see in
be safe than sorry.” Give an example.
people’s windows on Halloween?
Jack-o’-Lanterns
A. P
ut in Order
The instructions below are in the wrong order.

Read the sentences and put them in the right order.
HOW TO CARVE A JACK-O’-LANTERN
Use a sharp knife and carve the pumpkin, following your drawing.
Spread newspapers on a table and place the pumpkin on top.
Light a candle and drip some wax into the bottom of the pumpkin.
Draw a face on the pumpkin with a pen or pencil.
Cut a circle on the top of the pumpkin for a lid.
Blow the candle out and hold it firmly in the melted wax until the wax hardens.
Buy a pumpkin with at least one good side.
Put the seeds on a cookie sheet, add salt, and bake in a warm oven till brown.
Get a pen or pencil, some newspaper, a spoon, a sharp
knife, a pumpkin, a candle, a cookie sheet, and some salt.
Scrape out the inside (seeds and membrane) of the pumpkin with a spoon.
On Halloween evening, light the candle, put on the lid, and place in your front window.
Eat your delicious pumpkin seeds!
Halloween
Holidays & Events
Jack-o’-Lanterns cont.
B. Complete the Story
Choose the correct word from the list on the right to fill in the blanks.
THE CUSTOM OF CARVING JACK-O’-LANTERNS Word List:
• lantern
The custom of jack-o’-lanterns comes from an old • represent
1. • tale
• resting
Irish folk about a man named Jack. According to the story, • wandering
2. • tricks
• carving
Jack always liked to play on people, and one time he played • burning
3.
a trick on the Devil. When Jack died, he couldn’t go to Heaven because he had done
many bad things in his life. He couldn’t go to Hell either because he had played a
trick on the Devil. Since then, Jack has been around

4.
the earth looking for a final place. He carries a

5.
to light his way in the darkness. Jack made his lantern

6.
by putting a piece of coal inside a pumpkin.

7.
The colors of Halloween, orange and black,

8.
the colors of pumpkins and the darkness of the night.
Halloween
Holidays & Events
Pair Work (Student A)
A. Sharing Information
You and your partner each have some information about the origins of
Halloween. Read your story and share your information with your partner.
THE ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN THE CELTIC ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN
The customs of Halloween come Two thousand years ago in northern Europe, the Celtic people
from several different cultures. worshipped nature and had many gods. The Celts celebrated their
The early Celtic people of Great New Year on November 1. This festival marked the end of their season of
Britain and northern France, the light and the beginning of the season of cold and darkness. On October 31,
Romans, and the early Christians their New Year’s Eve, they gathered together to honor one of their gods,
all had festivals that influenced the Samhain (pronounced sow-en). Samhain was the god of the dead. The
celebration of Halloween as we Celts believed that the spirits of dead people came to life and wandered
know it today. around outside at this time of year. The Celtic people did not want to be
hurt by the spirits, so they dressed in costumes to disguise themselves if
they had to go outside. They also put candles in their windows to help the
spirits find their way and they left offerings of food outside their homes so
the spirits would treat them kindly. This might explain our modern custom
of giving treats on Halloween.
B. Ask and Answer
You and your partner have 1. Where did the Celtic people live?
the same set of questions.
2. When did they celebrate New Year’s Eve?
Answer the questions that go
with your reading, and ask the 3. Who was Samhain?
questions that relate to your
4. Why did the Celts dress in costumes on October 31st?
partner’s reading.
5. Explain the modern custom of giving treats on Halloween.
6. What festival did the Romans celebrate around the end of October?
7. Where did the custom of bobbing for apples originate?
8. What holiday did the Christians celebrate on November 1st?
9. How did the Christians celebrate All Souls’ Day?
10. Explain the name Halloween.
Halloween
Holidays & Events
Pair Work (Student B)
A. Sharing Information
You and your partner each have some information about the origins of
Halloween. Read your story and share your information with your partner.
THE ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN THE ROMAN AND CHRISTIAN ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN
The customs of Halloween come When the Romans invaded Britain, they brought many of their customs
from several different cultures. and festivals with them. One of these festivals, Pomona Day, took place
The early Celtic people of Great around the end of October and honored Pomona, the Roman goddess of
Britain and Northern France, the fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona was the apple, which might explain
Romans, and the early Christians the origin of our modern custom of bobbing for apples. After hundreds
all had festivals that influenced of years, the festivals of the Celts and the Romans combined to form one
the celebration of Halloween major fall holiday. With the spread of Christianity came new festivals. In
as we know it today. the year 835, the Roman Catholic Church made a holiday on November 1
to honor all the saints. This day was called All Saints’ Day or All Hallows.
Many years later, the church made November 2 All Souls’ Day to honor the
dead. People celebrated by making fires and dressing up as saints, devils,
and angels. After many years, the traditions of these holidays and the
holidays of the Celtic people combined and became known as Hallowed
Evening, which was celebrated on October 31. Eventually, the name was
shortened to Halloween.
B. Ask and Answer
You and your partner have 1. Where did the Celtic people live?
the same set of questions.
2. When did they celebrate New Year’s Eve?
Answer the questions that go
with your reading, and ask the 3. Who was Samhain?
questions that relate to your
4. Why did the Celts dress in costumes on October 31st?
partner’s reading.
5. Explain the modern custom of giving treats on Halloween.
6. What festival did the Romans celebrate around the end of October?
7. Where did the custom of bobbing for apples originate?
8. What holiday did the Christians celebrate on November 1st?
9. How did the Christians celebrate All Souls’ Day?
10. Explain the name Halloween.
Halloween
Holidays & Events
Vocabulary, Idioms, and Expressions

A. Reference
VOCABULARY, IDIOM, OR EXPRESSION DEFINITION
the apple of one’s eye someone’s favorite person, a well-loved person
the Big Apple New York City
as blind as a bat to have very poor eyesight
as white as a ghost to be very pale, to have no color in one’s face
look like a skeleton to be very thin
a jack of all trades a person who has many skills
mask one’s feelings to cover or hide one’s true feelings
B. Complete the Sentences
Choose the correct idiom or expression from the list above to complete the sentences.
1. My grandfather has very thick glasses. He is .
2. I am very excited about our vacation. We’re going to the .
3. I never know if Mary is really happy or sad. She always .
4. You should start eating a lot more. You !
5. Mr. Baker is so proud of his youngest daughter. She is .
6. You look terrible! Are you feeling sick? You are .
7. Robert is a . He can fix anything.
C. Writing
In your notebook, write your own sentences using the idioms above.
Halloween
Holidays & Events
Class Activity
FIND SOMEONE WHO...
Walk around the classroom and ask your classmates questions.

Write the questions in the spaces provided below, and write
your classmate’s name on the right if he/she answers “yes.”
# Find someone... Question Name
1 who is a jack of all trades.
who is going to a
2
Halloween party this year.
who made a custume

3
for Halloween.
who has a similar celebration to

4
Halloween in his or her country.
5 who believes in ghosts.
6 who has been to the Big Apple.
7 who is afraid of spiders.
8 who likes costume parties.
who is planning to put a

9
jack-o’-lantern in his/her window.
who is going to give out

10
Halloween treats this year.
Halloween
Holidays & Events
Answer Key
NOTE: LESSON DESCRIPTION: LEVEL: Int
These activities are designed for In this lesson, students read about the TIME: 2–3 hours
intermediate-level adult ESL learners, history of Halloween. They learn and TAGS: holidays, Halloween, October 31,
but they may also be suitable for junior practice useful vocabulary, including fall, ghost, witch, trick-or-treat,
and senior high school ESL students. idioms and expressions. An information- tradition, Celtic, idioms
gap exercise is included.
Introduction to Halloween 7. Children wear all kinds of store-bought or homemade

costumes such as ghosts, witches, pumpkins, or princesses.
You can begin by showing pictures of pumpkins, ghosts, skeletons, 8. To make a jack-o’-lantern, you must clean out the inside of a
witches, spiders, bats, etc. Ask the students if they know why they pumpkin, carve out a face, and put a candle inside.
have been seeing so many packages of candies and treats in the 9. The traditional colors of Halloween are black and orange.
grocery stores lately. Then ask them to share any information they 10. 1) Children should wear bright or light
may already have about Halloween or any similar celebrations they costumes so motorists can see them easily.
have in their own countries. 2) If children wear masks, the eye holes must be
big enough for the children to see out of clearly.
Reading 3) Small children should not go out trick-or-treating alone.

4) Before children eat their treats,
Begin by introducing any vocabulary you feel the students may parents should examine them carefully.
have difficulty with. You may choose to have the students read the 11. Individual answers.
passage silently, or have the students take turns reading aloud in

order to monitor pronunciation. Vocabulary Review
Comprehension A. MATCHING
1. o 4. b 7. f 10. p 13. i 16. d

After reading the passage, break the students into pairs and have
2. j 5. h 8. a 11. e 14. c
them practice asking and answering the comprehension questions.
3. l 6. m 9. n 12. k 15. g
At the end of the oral practice, have the students write the answers.
Review again orally with the whole class.
B. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES
1. Halloween is on October 31.
1. looking 4. outfit 8. neighborhood
2. Yes, people do have to go to work.
forward to 5. decorate 9. bob
3. Children wear costumes, masks,
2. scary 6. change 10. disguise
or makeup to disguise themselves.
3. mask 7. variety
4. Children walk door to door around their
neighborhood shouting things like “trick or (continued on the next page...)
treat” and collecting treats from their neighbors.
5. It is a good idea to have a dish of change near the
door since some children collect money for UNICEF.
6. You usually see a jack-o’-lantern in people’s windows.
Halloween
Holidays & Events
Answer Key cont.

Jack-o’-Lanterns Pair Work
A. PUT IN ORDER Break the class into pairs. Each student has a different reading
about the origins of Halloween. Have the students read their
Instructions on how to carve a jack-o’-lantern: Ask the students
articles silently and then share the information with their
to read the instructions and put them in the correct order. (There
partner by completing the comprehension questions together.
may be some differences in the students’ ordering, but make
sure that the ordering is logical.) Follow up with a real pumpkin 1. The Celts lived in northern Europe.
carving activity. 2. The Celts celebrated their New Year’s Eve on November 1.
3. S amhain was the Celtic god of the dead.
8 U
se a sharp knife and carve the
4. T he Celts dressed in costumes to disguise themselves from
pumpkin, following your drawing.
the spirits of dead people who wandered around outside.
3 Spread newspapers on a table and place the pumpkin on top.
5. T he custom of giving treats on Halloween may have originated
9 L
ight a candle and drip some wax
from the Celts who left offerings of food outside their homes
into the bottom of the pumpkin.
so that the spirits would treat them kindly.
7 D
raw a face on the pumpkin with a pen or pencil.
6. T he Romans celebrated Pomona Day.
4 Cut a circle on the top of the pumpkin for a lid.
7. Pomona Day honored Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and
10 B
low the candle out and hold it firmly
trees, and the symbol of Pomona was the apple, which might
in the melted wax until the wax hardens.
explain the origin of our modern custom of bobbing for apples.
1 B
uy a pumpkin with at least one good side.
8. Christians celebrated All Saints’ Day on November 1.
6 P
ut the seeds on a cookie sheet, add salt,
9. Christians celebrated All Souls’ Day by making fires and
and bake in a warm oven till brown.
dressing up as saints, devils, and angels.
2 G
et a pen or pencil, some newspaper, a spoon, a sharp
10. O ver time, the traditions of the Celtic and Roman holidays
knife, a pumpkin, a candle, a cookie sheet, and some salt.
were combined and became known as Hallowed Evening.
5 S
crape out the inside (seeds and
Eventually, the name was shortened to Halloween.
membrane) of the pumpkin with a spoon.
11 O
n Halloween evening, light the candle,
(continued on the next page...)
put on the lid, and place in your front window.
12 E
at your delicious pumpkin seeds!
B. COMPLETE THE STORY
1. carving 4. wandering 7. burning

2. tale 5. resting 8. represent
3. tricks 6. lantern
Halloween
Holidays & Events
Answer Key cont.

Vocabulary, Idioms, and Expressions SPELLING NOTE:
This lesson shows the American spelling of the words

A. REFERENCE Color, Honor, Neighborhood, Neighbor, Favorite, and Practice.
The idioms given include words used in the context of Halloween Most other English-speaking countries spell these words this
(ghost, bat, mask, Jack, skeleton, apple). Explain the meanings, use way: Colour, Honour, Neighbourhood, Neighbour, Favourite,
them in context, have the students complete the sentences, and and Practise (when used as a verb; Practice when used as a
then have them write their own sentences using the idioms. noun). Make it a challenge for your students to find these
words in the text and see if they know the alternate spellings.
B. COMPLETE THE SENTENCES
1. as blind as a bat
2. Big Apple
3. masks her feelings
4. looks like a skeleton
5. the apple of his eye
6. as white as a ghost
7. jack of all trades
C. WRITING
Individual answers.
Class Activity
First have the students write out the questions they will be asking
their classmates. Then have the students circulate around the
class asking the questions on the sheet. When a student finds a
classmate who can answer the question, he/she will then write
the student’s name in the chart and follow up with one more
question of his/her own. (E.g., “Are you a jack of all trades?” “Yes.”
“What can you do?”) Try to encourage the students to engage in
real conversation during this activity. Follow up by sharing the
information with the whole class.

Halloween Int

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Halloween Int

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Halloween Int

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Holidays & Events

B. Complete the Sentences

1. After the long, cold winter, I am to spring.

3. The thief wore a during the bank robbery.

4. She bought a beautiful, new to wear to the party.

5. Many families gather together to a tree at Christmas.

7. That bakery has a large of cakes and cookies every day.

9. Many children like to for apples at Halloween parties.

1. When is Halloween? 7. What kind of costumes do

The instructions below are in the wrong order.

HOW TO CARVE A JACK-O’-LANTERN

THE CUSTOM OF CARVING JACK-O’-LANTERNS Word List:

trick on the Devil. Since then, Jack has been around

the earth looking for a final place. He carries a

to light his way in the darkness. Jack made his lantern

by putting a piece of coal inside a pumpkin.

The colors of Halloween, orange and black,

the colors of pumpkins and the darkness of the night.

Pair Work (Student A)

THE ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN THE CELTIC ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN

B. Ask and Answer

7. Where did the custom of bobbing for apples originate?

8. What holiday did the Christians celebrate on November 1st?

9. How did the Christians celebrate All Souls’ Day?

10. Explain the name Halloween.

Pair Work (Student B)

THE ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN THE ROMAN AND CHRISTIAN ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN

B. Ask and Answer

7. Where did the custom of bobbing for apples originate?

8. What holiday did the Christians celebrate on November 1st?

9. How did the Christians celebrate All Souls’ Day?

10. Explain the name Halloween.

Vocabulary, Idioms, and Expressions

VOCABULARY, IDIOM, OR EXPRESSION DEFINITION

the apple of one’s eye someone’s favorite person, a well-loved person

the Big Apple New York City

as blind as a bat to have very poor eyesight

as white as a ghost to be very pale, to have no color in one’s face

look like a skeleton to be very thin

a jack of all trades a person who has many skills

mask one’s feelings to cover or hide one’s true feelings

B. Complete the Sentences

1. My grandfather has very thick glasses. He is .

2. I am very excited about our vacation. We’re going to the .

3. I never know if Mary is really happy or sad. She always .

4. You should start eating a lot more. You !

5. Mr. Baker is so proud of his youngest daughter. She is .

6. You look terrible! Are you feeling sick? You are .

7. Robert is a . He can fix anything.

Walk around the classroom and ask your classmates questions.

# Find someone... Question Name

1 who is a jack of all trades.

who made a custume

who has a similar celebration to

5 who believes in ghosts.

6 who has been to the Big Apple.

7 who is afraid of spiders.

8 who likes costume parties.

who is planning to put a

1. After the long, cold winter, I am to spring.

3. The thief wore a during the bank robbery.

4. She bought a beautiful, new to wear to the party.

5. Many families gather together to a tree at Christmas.

7. That bakery has a large of cakes and cookies every day.

9. Many children like to for apples at Halloween parties.