Reading and Writing

Reading Parts 5 and 6

The origins of Halloween

If you think of Halloween, you probably think of scary carved pumpkins, all kinds (21) …. fancy
dress and children asking for sweets. (22) …. if you think of a country (23) …. celebrates
Halloween, you probably think of (24) …. United States first. Americans and Canadians (25) ….
adopted Halloween in a big way, but Halloween traditions actually come (26) …. 16th-century
Ireland, Scotland and England.

The tradition of Halloween (27) …. 31 October comes from the ancient Celtic festival of
Samhain. Samhain was the Celtic New Year (28) …. they celebrated it on 1 November because
that was the end of summer and harvest time (life) and the beginning of winter (death). It was
also the time for ghosts to return to earth for (29) …. day. People lit a big fire, wore special
clothes made (30) …. animal skin and hoped to (31) …. safe from the ghosts and the winter. In
AD 609, the Catholic Church put the Christian celebration of All Saints Day on 1 November. In
AD 1000, the church added All Souls Day on 2 November, and All Hallows Eve – or Halloween –
moved (32) …. the night of the 31st.

Questions 21 – 26 For each question, choose the correct answer.

Questions 27 – 32 For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each
gap.

21. a. for b. of c. about d. with

22. a. But b. However c. And d. When
23. a. who b. where c. when d. that
24. a. a b. the c. - d. some
25. a. have b. be c. make d. get
26. a. of b. for c. from d. in
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.

Adapted from British Council Learn English

Writing Part 2
Choose one of these questions.

Write your answer in about 100 words on the answer sheet.

Question 2

You see this announcement in your school English-language magazine. Articles wanted!
WHAT IS HALLOWEEN LIKE IN YOUR COUNTRY?

Write an article telling us what people usually do when they celebrate Halloween in your
country. Do you and your friends celebrate Halloween? Do you like it? Why? Why not?

The best articles answering these questions will be published next month.

Write your article.

Question 3

Your English teacher has asked you to write a story. Your story must begin with this
sentence.

Juanjo turned around and screamed.

Write your story.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Adapted from British Council Learn English

Speaking

Part 2
Now I’d like each of you to talk on your own about something. I’m going to give each of you
a photograph and I’d like you to talk about it.

A, here is your photograph. It shows someone celebrating Halloween.

B, here is your photograph. It also shows someone celebrating Halloween.

Adapted from British Council Learn English

C, here is your photograph. It also shows someone celebrating Halloween.

Part 3
You and your friends are planning to spend Halloween together. Here is a picture with
some activities you could do. Decide which activity would be the best and why.

Watch
horror
films

Trick or
Dress up
Treat

Halloween

Make
Halloween
Pumpkin
Party
Lanterns

Part 4
Please, talk together.

 Do you and your friends celebrate Halloween?

 If so, what do you usually do?
 If not, why?
 Which of the activities from the task have you done?
 Is there any activity that you would like to try?

Adapted from British Council Learn English

Reading and Writing – Answer Key

Reading Parts 5 and 6

The origins of Halloween

If you think of Halloween, you probably think of scary carved pumpkins, all kinds (21) …. fancy
dress and children asking for sweets. (22) …. if you think of a country (23) …. celebrates
Halloween, you probably think of (24) …. United States first. Americans and Canadians (25) ….
adopted Halloween in a big way, but Halloween traditions actually come (26) …. 16th-century
Ireland, Scotland and England.

The tradition of Halloween (27) …. 31 October comes from the ancient Celtic festival of
Samhain. Samhain was the Celtic New Year (28) …. they celebrated it on 1 November because
that was the end of summer and harvest time (life) and the beginning of winter (death). It was
also the time for ghosts to return to earth for (29) …. day. People lit a big fire, wore special
clothes made (30) …. animal skin and hoped to (31) …. safe from the ghosts and the winter. In
AD 609, the Catholic Church put the Christian celebration of All Saints Day on 1 November. In
AD 1000, the church added All Souls Day on 2 November, and All Hallows Eve – or Halloween –
moved (32) …. the night of the 31st.

Questions 21 – 26 For each question, choose the correct answer.

Questions 27 – 32 For each question, write the correct answer. Write one word for each
gap.

33. a. for b. of c. about d. with

34. a. But b. However c. And d. When
35. a. who b. where c. when d. that
36. a. a b. the c. - d. some
37. a. have b. be c. make d. get
38. a. of b. for c. from d. in
39. ON
40. AND
41. A
42. OF
43. BE
44. TO

Adapted from British Council Learn English