0 History of Halloween

History of Halloween

Halloween falls on October 31st each year in North America and other parts of the world. What do you know about Halloween? Do you celebrate it in your country? Here is a little history about it.  

Vocabulary

to evolve (v)- to change little by little
spirit (n)- ghost, some people believe the spirit and body separate when a person dies
holy (adj)- sacred, very good, related to religion. Hallow comes from the word holy.
saint (n)- an honored, holy person
evil (adj)- very, very bad
lantern (n)- lamp or enclosed light that can be carried around
turnip (n)- a purple and white vegetable that grows in the ground

Reading Text

Like many other holidays, Halloween has evolved and changed throughout history. Over 2,000 years ago people called the Celts lived in what is now Ireland, the UK, and parts of Northern France. November 1 was their New Year's Day. They believed that the night before the New Year (October 31) was a time when the living and the dead came together.

More than a thousand years ago the Christian church named November 1 All Saints Day (also called All Hallows.) This was a special holy day to honor the saints and other people who died for their religion. The night before All Hallows was called Hallows Eve. Later the name was changed to Halloween. 

Like the Celts, the Europeans of that time also believed that the spirits of the dead would visit the earth on Halloween. They worried that evil spirits would cause problems or hurt them. So on that night people wore costumes that looked like ghosts or other evil creatures. They thought if they dressed like that, the spirits would think they were also dead and not harm them.

The tradition of Halloween was carried to America by the immigrating Europeans. Some of the traditions changed a little, though. For example, on Halloween in Europe some people would carry lanterns made from turnips. In America, pumpkins were more common. So people began putting candles inside them and using them as lanterns. That is why you see Jack 'o lanterns today.

These days Halloween is not usually considered a religious holiday. It is primarily a fun day for children. Children dress up in costumes like people did a thousand years ago. But instead of worrying about evil spirits, they go from house to house. They knock on doors and say "trick or treat." The owner of each house gives candy or something special to each trick or treater.

Check Your Understanding

True or False. Check your answers below. 1. The Celts thought the spirits of dead people returned to the earth on October 31st.
True
False
2. The Celts created All Hallows.
True
False
3. All Hallows is on October 31st.
True
False
4. The word Halloween comes from the word Hallows eve.
True
False
5. A thousand years ago Europeans wore costumes to get candy.
True
False
6. Americans still carve turnips to use as lanterns.
True
False
7. Today Halloween is especially for children.
True
False
8. Children get candy by saying "trick or treat."
True
False

0 April Fool's Day

April Fool's Day

Vocabulary

a fool- someone who doesn't understand what is happening
to tease- laugh at, make fun of someone, joke about something
to play a joke (on someone)- to do something funny that another person doesn't know about or suspect at first
container- something that holds something else, like a box, a bottle, or a jar
to play a trick (on someone)- same as play a joke
in the spirit of fun- with an atmosphere of fun, just for fun, lighthearted 

Reading Text

April Fool's Day started in the sixteenth century in Europe. Before that time, New Year's Day was celebrated on April 1st. Then a new calendar was introduced called the Gregorian calendar. January 1st became the first day of the year, but many people did not know about it. So those who continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April 1st were teased. They were called fools.

Nowadays we play jokes on people on April 1st. For example, someone might put salt in the sugar container so another person could "accidentally" put it in their coffee. Or someone might change the time on another person's alarm clock so that person would unknowingly wake up earlier or later than planned. Or maybe a person would tell a lie to make someone else shocked.

After we play the trick, we say "April Fool." Then the poor person realizes he was fooled. It is generally done in the spirit of fun and doesn't cause any real harm to anyone. Do you have any great jokes to play on anyone today? Try it out. Just don't forget to say "April Fool" when the other person begins looking a little confused.

Check Your Understanding

Choose True or False. Check your answers by clicking the arrow below.1. April Fool's Day started in 1908. True False 2. A long time ago, New Year's Eve was celebrated on April 1st. True False 3. Some people didn't realize that New Year's Day had changed. True False 4. People who celebrated New Year's Day on January 1st were teased. True False 5. People like to play jokes on January 1st. True False 6. Sometimes on April Fool's Day people lie to shock someone. True False 7. After you play a joke on someone, you should say "April Fools!" True False

0 Friendship

Friendship

Vocabulary

spouse- husband or wife
bond- connection, something that makes two things stick together
twin spirit- someone very similar to you
stranger- someone you don't know at all
acquaintance- someone you don't know very well
right away- immediately
in common- things that you like or dislike are the same

Reading Text

Quotes about friendship:

Friendship is one mind in two bodies.
Your friend is the man who knows all about you, and still likes you.
A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.

Some friends come into our lives for just a short time. Others come and stay forever. Think about your closest friends. How long have you known each other? Some people say that their spouse or family member is their best friend. Others say they have known their closest friends for many years. And some great friends haven't known each other all that long, but knew right away that there was a connection, or bond, between them. Could it be that there is a twin spirit out there for each of us? 

What turns a stranger or acquaintance into a friend? Do you know right away if you are going to like someone? Some people think that any stranger can become a friend if they spend enough time together. That may be true for some people. But one thing most of us agree on is that true friendships seem to happen when people have something in common. Perhaps we see a part of ourselves in our friends. Maybe seeing the good in them helps us to see the good in us as well.

Check Your Understanding

True or False Check your answers by clicking on the arrow below.According to the article...
1. Your husband or wife cannot be your best friend.
True
False
2. Many friends feel a connection when they first meet.
True
False
3. Every person definitely has a twin spirit.
True
False
4. A stranger is the same as an acquaintance.
True
False
5. A stranger is the same as a friend.
True
False
6. Most friends have similar likes and dislikes.
True
False

0 English Around the World

English Around the World

Vocabulary

travel bug (idiom)- strong desire to travel to be bitten by the travel bug (idiom)- kind of a cute way to say when someone begins to want to travel. After the "bug" bites you, you will really want to travel. to wander- to go from one place to another without any definite plans to be in the comfort of (one's) own home- to be at home, in a familiar or comfortable place to explore- to look around and find out new things exotic (adjective)- strange, mysterious, exciting, unknown mystery- something unknown, something that needs to be found out to flock- large amounts of people go to the same place at the same time vast (adjective)- very large perspective- view, way of seeing things accomplishment- feeling like you have done something important and good 

Reading Text

Have you ever had the desire to wander the world and see what was out there? While some people prefer to stay in the comfort of their own home, others have been bitten by the travel bug and can't wait to explore the world. Exotic places call to them. "Come visit me and I will show you my mysteries," they say.

Every year millions of people pack their suitcases or put on backpacks and flock to visit the seven continents of the world. They wander through the castles and museums of Europe, and the cities and natural wonders of North and South America. Some visit the vast exotic cultures of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The great outback of Australia is a wonderland for those who go there. And a few lucky people even make to the most mysterious continent on the earth- Antarctica. 

Why do people want to explore the world? It gives them a better perspective about the earth and the people living on it. It opens their minds, it gives them a feeling of accomplishment, and it makes them feel alive. So save some money, get your passport ready, and see the world. It will change your life forever.

Questions and Answers

Choose True or False. Check your answers at the bottom of the page by clicking on the arrow.

1. To be bitten by the travel bug means you like to stay home.
True
False
2. People bitten by the travel bug like to visit new places.
True
False
3. The great outback is in Europe.
True
False
4. Antarctica is in Africa.
True
False
5. Asia is vast.
True
False
6. Traveling opens your mind.
True
False
7. Traveling makes you feel alive.
True
False
8. Traveling helps you see things in a new way.
True
False

0 Levi's Blue Jeans

Levi's Blue Jeans 

Vocabulary

emigrate- (v) to move permanently from one's country to another.
dry goods- (n) clothing, fabric, and other items to sell
miner- (n) a person who searches for gold, diamonds, etc.
durable- (adj) last a long time
fabric- (n) material for clothing, curtains, etc.
tailor- (n) a person who sews clothing
rivet- (n) (v) a metal piece that holds 2 thing together. (You can see the metal on Levi's jeans)
patent- (n) (v) an inventor's right to be the only one making or selling a product
think it over- (v) think about it, decide

Do you enjoy wearing Levi's blue jeans? Blue jeans have become popular all over the world, but do you know how they got started? Read on to find out...

Reading Text

Levi Strauss was born in Germany in the mid 1800's and emigrated to the United States as a young man. He lived in New York City and learned the dry-goods business for several years. In 1853 he took his knowledge and his dreams to San Francisco (California., USA.) His dream to succeed came true over the next 20 years as he became a very successful businessman.

Many of Levi Strauss' customers were cowboys and miners. They needed clothing that was strong and durable. Strauss found a special fabric from France that was comfortable and lasted a long time. It was called "serge de Nimes," which was later shortened to the word denim. 

Another man named Jacob Davis bought large amounts of the denim fabric from Levi Strauss. He was a tailor who made pants for hard-working men. One of his customers was continually tearing the pockets off his pants. So Jacob Davis decided to put rivets on certain parts of the pants to make them stronger. The customer loved the new pants so much that he told all his friends, and soon Jacob Davis was busy making lots of pants with rivets.

Jacob Davis soon realized that using rivets was a great business idea, and he didn't want anybody to steal that idea. He decided that he would need to get a patent. But being a poor tailor, he didn't have enough money to pay for the patent. After thinking it over, he went to the businessman Levi Strauss and told him his idea. He said, "If you agree to pay for the patent, we will share the profits from the riveted pants." Levi Strauss did agree, and the new riveted pant business was called Levi Strauss and Company. Today Levi's jeans are more popular than ever, and Levi's name continues to live on.

Check Your Understanding

True or False. Check your answers below.  

1. Levi Strauss was born in 1853.
True
False
2. Levi Strauss wanted to become a great businessman.
True
False
3. Levi Strauss sewed pants in his business.
True
False
4. Jacob Davis sewed pants in his business.
True
False
5. Jacob David used denim to make pants.
True
False
6. Jacob Davis put rivets in pants because they looked good.
True
False
7. Levi Strauss didn't want to pay for Jacob Davis' patent.
True
False
8. Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis became business partners.
True
False