October 30, 2024 Level: Lexile 350-450L
🌍 國際視野從小培養 - Elite Prep 帶孩子輕鬆掌握英語時事 🌟
Halloween started in Ireland 🇮🇪 a long time ago at a festival called Samhain. Today, Irish people make big fires and children wear costumes. They eat a special cake called "barnbrack" that has small prizes inside. Children play games and ask neighbors for candy.
In the United States 🇺🇸, Halloween is one of the biggest holidays. People put pumpkin faces (jack-o'-lanterns) and Halloween decorations on their houses. Children dress up and go trick-or-treating to get candy. Some cities have special Halloween events:
- Salem has witch festivals
- New Hampshire shows thousands of glowing pumpkins
- Anoka calls itself the "Halloween Capital"
In Mexico 🇲🇽, people celebrate Day of the Dead for three days. They put up altars with orange flowers and pictures of their family members who have died. They make sweet bread and colorful sugar skulls. People paint their faces and walk in parades. They think their loved ones' spirits come back to visit during this time.
In Japan 🇯🇵, Halloween is new but people really like it. In Tokyo, many young people dress up and have parties in the streets. They often wear costumes from Japanese cartoons. Stores put up Halloween decorations, and children get candy at special events in shops.
In Taiwan 🇹🇼 and China 🇨🇳, people have a Ghost Festival in the seventh month of their calendar. They light lanterns and give food to spirits. They burn paper money for their ancestors. People go to temples and watch special shows.
In Germany 🇩🇪, more people celebrate Halloween each year. Children carve pumpkins and say "Süßes oder Saures" when they ask for candy. Some old castles have spooky tours. Germans also carry lanterns in parades for St. Martin's Day.
In England 🏴, people have Halloween parties with games. They play apple bobbing, where they try to catch apples in water with their mouths. Children wear costumes to get candy. Families put carved pumpkins with lights outside their houses. They also tell ghost stories that aren't too scary.
Fun Facts:
The word Halloween comes from "All Hallows' Eve"
Orange and black are Halloween colors because orange means harvest and black means darkness
People have been celebrating Halloween for over 2,000 years - Pumpkins with faces were first made in Ireland - but with turnips!
Now you know how Halloween is special in different places around the world. Each country has its own fun and spooky traditions!
Click the pin 📍on the map, and something amazing will happen! 🤩
Words to know:
Celebration & Festivals
celebration (n.): A special gathering to mark important events
festival (n.): A time of organized festivities and cultural events
carnival (n.): A festive period featuring entertainment and celebrations
parade (n.): A public procession celebrating special occasions
Spiritual & Traditional Elements
ancestor (n.): Family members from past generations
spirit (n.): The soul or ghost of a deceased person
supernatural (adj.): Beyond natural explanation or normal existence
ancient (adj.): Dating from a very distant past
tradition (n.): Long-established customs passed through generations
Ceremonial Objects & Places
altar (n.): A sacred table for offerings or remembrance
lantern (n.): A portable light source, often decorative
bonfire (n.): A large outdoor fire for ceremonies or gatherings
decoration (n.): Items used to enhance festive atmosphere
Cultural Aspects
cultural (adj.): Relating to customs and social traditions
ceremony (n.): A formal event following traditional customs
harvest (n.): The gathering of crops, often celebrated seasonally
Usage Examples in Context:
"During the Halloween celebration, families gather around bonfires to share ancient stories of spirits and supernatural beings. Many cultures create beautiful altars decorated with lanterns and traditional items to honor their ancestors. The carnival atmosphere of modern Halloween parades shows how this harvest festival has evolved while maintaining its cultural significance."
Questions to think about 💭
Which country's Halloween celebration sounds most interesting to you? Why?
How are these Halloween celebrations different from celebrations in your country?
What new tradition from another country would you like to try?
Why do you think different countries celebrate Halloween in different ways?
If you could visit one of these countries during Halloween, which would you choose?
What special foods from these celebrations would you like to taste?
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