Halloween Comprehension

HALLOWEEN Reading Comprehension

by Erika Garfias, Edited by Laura Munn

​What's Halloween?

​Halloween is a traditional celebration that began in Europe hundreds of years ago. At that time, some people believed that ghosts of dead people visited living people. Nowadays it is a special day in several countries around the world, but it is perhaps most popular in Canada and the United States. It always falls on the same date every year: October 31st.

Multiple Choice

1. The article says in Canada and the U.S. dead people will visit children.

• TRUE

• FALSE

• Yes, but only on Halloween

Multiple Choice

2. How long does Halloween last for?

• Three days

• Two days

• One day

Multiple Choice

3. Halloween is more popular in Canada than the United States.

• TRUE

• FALSE

• It didn't say

​ Around this time, people like to tell scary stories and watch horror movies. In the evening on October 31st, children wear costumes. These are clothes that make them look like interesting animals, monsters or people. They might be very funny or they might be quite scary. 

The costumes often include a face mask or some make-up painted on the person’s face. For example, on Halloween you might see a dinosaur or an elephant, a witch with a tall, black hat, or maybe even a ghost.

Multiple Choice

4. What does the word ‘them’ refer to near the beginning of the article?

• COSTUMES

• CLOTHES

• CHILDREN

Multiple Choice

5. Why do many people wear costumes on Halloween?

• They want to have fun.

• They are afraid of ghosts.

• They like to watch horror movies.

Multiple Choice

6. Halloween is a celebration only for children.

• TRUE

• FALSE

​ Children then go from house to house and ask for candy by saying, “Trick or treat?” Many older kids and adults also put on costumes and go to Halloween parties. Jack O’ lanterns are very common during this time. 

A lot of people like to put them in their windows or just outside their doors. They are pumpkins with lights inside and faces cut into them.

Multiple Choice

7. According to the article, where do children go to get candy on Halloween?

• Other people's homes

• Home

• The Store

Multiple Choice

9. What does the word ‘them’ refer to near the end of the article?

• Children

• Jack O' Lanterns

• Doors

Multiple Choice

10. It can be said that...

• Jack O' Lanterns are carved by everyone

• Everyone dresses up on Halloween

• Halloween can be fun for people of all ages

• Halloween is only for getting candy.

​In Mexico, a similar traditional celebration is called ‘The Day of the Dead’ – family and friends come together for three days to pray for and remember people who have died. 

Multiple Choice

11. Most people have lots of fun during Mexico’s ‘Day of the Dead’.

• TRUE

• FALSE

• It didn't say

Multiple Choice

12. The Day of the Dead celebration lasts how many days...

• 3 days
• 2 days
• 1 day
• 5 days

Multiple Choice

13. The reader can infer that ...

• The Day of the Dead is only celebrated in the United States.
• Halloween is more popular in Mexico than the Day of the Dead.
• Halloween is a Mexican holiday.

• The Day of the Dead is more celebrated in Mexico than Halloween is.

“Happy Halloween” everyone!