What is Halloween?

Halloween is a festival. It is short for All Hallows Evening. Hallow means a

saint or holy person. And een is short for
evening, of course. Halloween is not new. It has
existed for more than a thousand years. In the beginning, it was
a religious ceremony to honour the dead. Centuries later, it
changed. People believed that on Halloween, the dead came back
and visited the living. People believed that these souls returned to
their old homes. So they dressed in scary costumes and they lit
bonfires to scare those spirits off and keep themselves safe. This
is how Halloween tropes (images/motifs) such as witches, ghosts,
and goblins became associated with the celebration. Also, animals
of the dark: bats, owls and black cats. Nowadays, in popular
culture, we think celebrating witches, ghosts, vampires, werewolves and all those other scary
things is just a bit of fun. Halloween is on October 31 st every year and is celebrated in many
countries, particularly Canada and the US. There are many traditions attached to Halloween.
One famous custom is ‘Trick or treat?’. Children dress up as ghosts or monsters and knock on
doors. If you give them a treat, like some chocolate or sweets, they move on to the next
house. If you don’t, then they play a trick, maybe hide your bin lid or something like that. In
many areas, this tradition is disappearing because of safety considerations for children out in
the dark. However, the danger is from adult humans, not ghosts and monsters. People go to
parties and bring a jack-o-lantern, which is a scooped-out pumpkin with a candle in it.
Halloween is an opportunity to have a bit of fun!
Answer the questions in full sentences:

Say if the sentences are true or false:
1. Halloween is new. F
2. It used to be a religious celebration. T
3. Centuries ago, people dressed as angels
on Halloween. F
4. Animals associated with Halloween are
usually nocturnal. T
5. Halloween occurs on the last day of
October. T
6. It is celebrated in just two countries. F
7. Adults play ‘Trick or treat’. F
8. ‘Trick or treat’ is growing in popularity.
a. Is Halloween new? No, Halloween has been around
for over a thousand years.
b. What kind of celebration was it originally? It
was a religious ceremony to honor the dead.
c. Centuries ago, what did people believe
happened on Halloween? People believed that the
dead returned on Halloween and visited the living.
d. Why did they dress in scary costumes?
To scare away those spirits and keep safe from
them.
e. Nowadays, what kind of things are associated
with Halloween? Tropes (images/motifs) such as
witches, ghosts, and goblins.

T f. When does Halloween happen? Halloween is

celebrated on October 31 every year.
9. A good treat would be a carrot or an
g. Name one tradition associated with Halloween.
apple. F
Day of the Dead.
10. Halloween is an opportunity to have a
bit of fun. T
Which Halloween tropes can you see in the greeting?