Halloween
Listen and Read: Listen to the recording, answer the questions, and then read along with the audio recording.
Halloween is a fun holiday for kids in the United States. Its origin dates back hundreds of years, but today, children celebrate this day by dressing up in scary and humorous costumes, attending Halloween parties, and going door-to-door trick-or-treating. When children trick or treat, they go from house to house carrying a bag or other container, and they knock on doors asking for a treat (some kind of candy), and they say that if they aren’t given a treat, they will play a trick on the person. (This is sometimes true, but it doesn’t happen a lot.)
It is a carefree holiday, but parents still need to teach their children to be safe. Generally speaking, children are encouraged to visit the houses of people they know, and children and parents should carefully inspect the candy they receive to make sure it is safe to eat. Also, it is a good idea to carry a flashlight so you can see your way when it gets dark.
Discussion
Do you have any similar holidays like Halloween in your country?
Online Investigation
Choosing the right costume for Halloween can be difficult. Some people make their own costumes while others buy factory-made ones. If you were attending a Halloween party in the United States, what type of costume would you wear? Search the internet for ideas on either how to make your own or find one you would like to buy. How much would it cost to make or buy? Compare your ideas with others and discuss your selection.
Online Listening Practice (from www.esl-lab.com):