Task 1. Read the text and circle True (T) or False (F) for the statements 1-5.

The origins of the name

The festival of Hallowe'en has its (0) roots in Celtic and Roman traditions. Over 2,000

years

ago the Celts in Britain, ireland and parts of France celebrated Samhain to (1) mark the beginning of winter. When the Romans invaded, they merged this with Feralia, their celebration of the passing of the dead. As Christianity spread, the Church tried to replace these pagan feasts with official Churcholy days. One of these was November

1. It was called All Saints Day, or "All Hallows", and October 31 was known as "All Hallows' Eve", and then Hallowe'en.

Hallowe'en traditions

In the past there was a tradition called "souling". Poor people went around houses

asking for

food. In exchange, they promised to say prayers for the dead. People no longer go souling, but the habit has been transformed into a modern Hallowe'en game for children in America, who dress up as ghosts, witches and monsters and go around people's houses, asking for sweets. This game is called 'Trick or Treat'.

Witches

Hallowe'en wouldn't be fun without witches. Witches have always been part of popular

folklore. Shakespeare's (2) play "Macbeth" opens with three witches. A witch was

someone -

usually a woman - who had special powers and had dealings with the devil. The American town, 23 Salem, in the state of Massachusetts, is famous for the "witchcraft trials", which took place there in 1692.

Pumpkins

The pumpkin is a symbol of Hallowe'en. People empty a pumpkin, cut a face into the

side,

and put a candle inside. It's known as a Jack O' Lantern, from an Irish legend about a

man called

Jack, who made a deal with the devil.

1.

1. The Celts celebrated Samhain at the end of autumn. T F

2 The Christian Church took over the older pagan festivals. T F

3. Only poor people play 'Trick or Treat'. T F

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