As the chill of October creeps in and the moon rises high, we're thrilled to announce our spine-tingling Halloween Story Writing Event! This is your chance to unleash your creativity and craft eerie tales that will send shivers down spines and summon the spirits of All Hallows' Eve!

References and Further Reading:Provide a list of sources and recommended readings for readers who want to delve deeper into the history and cultural significance of Halloween.

Read the following passage and choose the correct answer to each of the questions.THE HALLOWEENIn the USA, Halloween is a popular festival. It’s on 31st October, and adults and teenagers often go to costume parties. The theme of these parties is usually horror or the supernatural. Restaurants and clubs often have special events too: they prepare food and drink with a Halloween theme, show horror films or invite gothic rock bands to play.Children often go trick or treating. They wear scary costumes and visit friends and neighbours asking for sweets and chocolate. They also make Halloween lanterns with candles inside and they play traditional games. The festival comes just after the apple harvest, so the games often use apples.There are a lot of different beliefs about Halloween. For example, some people think that the candle in a Halloween lantern keeps evil away, if the candle goes out suddenly, a spirit is in the room. And if 31st October is your birthday, that means you can see and talk to spirits!Question 26. What is the theme of the Halloween parties in the USA?A.Horror or the supernaturalB.Science fictionC.Cartoons and comicsD.Famous peopleQuestion 27. What do children often make at Halloween?A.LanternsB.ChocolateC.ToysD.SweetsQuestion 28. Why are apples often used in the games at Halloween?A.There are no other types of fruit during the festival.B.The apples are very cheap during the festival.C.American people like eating apples at the festival.D.The apple harvest comes just before the festival.Question 29. If you had been born on Halloween, what would you be able to do?A.Talk to spiritsB.Keep evil spirits awayC.See and speak with spiritsD.See ghostsQuestion 30. Which of the following statements is TRUE about Halloween in the USA?A.Restaurants and clubs often have special events.B.There aren’t many beliefs about Halloween.C.Only teenagers go to costume parties.D.Children visit friends and neighbours asking for money.

During a dull, dark, and soundless day in autumn, when the clouds hung oppressively low, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country. At length I found myself, as the shades of the evening drew on, within view of the melancholy House of Usher. I know not how it was but, with the first glimpse of the building, a sense of insufferable gloom pervaded my spirit. I looked upon the scene before me; upon the mere house, and the simple landscape—upon the bleak walls—upon the vacant eye-like windows, upon a few rank marsh plants, and upon a few white trunks of decayed trees with an utter depression of soul which I can compare to no earthly sensation. What was it, I paused to think, what was it that so unnerved me about the House of Usher? It was possible, I reflected, that a mere different arrangement of the scene, of the details of the picture, would be sufficient to modify, or perhaps to annihilate its capacity for sorrowful impression. Then, acting upon this idea, I reined my horse to the precipitous brink of a black and lurid lake near the dwelling, and gazed down upon the warped reflection of the marsh plants, and the ghastly tree-stems, and the vacant eye-like windows.     Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to take a sojourn of several weeks. Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my friends in boyhood. Although, many years had passed since we last met. A letter, however, had reached me in a distant part of the country. A letter from him, which had required nothing less than a personal reply. Usher's letter spoke of illness,of a mental disorder which oppressed him and of an earnest desire to see me, as his best and indeed his only personal friend. His desire being, that through my cheerfulness, I could help to alleviate his malady. It was the way in which it was said, it was the heart that went with his request, which allowed me no room for hesitation; and I accordingly obeyed forthwith.3Which detail from the passage develops the theme that true friends can always be counted upon in times of need? A. A letter, however, had reached me in a distant part of the country. B. Nevertheless, in this mansion of gloom I now proposed to take a sojourn of several weeks. C. Its proprietor, Roderick Usher, had been one of my friends in boyhood. D. Usher's letter spoke of illness,of a mental disorder which oppressed him and of an earnest desire to see me . . .

John Fowles’ “The Enigma” revisits and rewritesQuestion 16Answera.the realist short storyb.the Gothic short storyc.the detective storyd.the naturalistic short story

Which story premise most clearly contains a supernatural element?A.A cat and a dog form an unlikely friendship as they try to return home.B.Two teens decide to dress up like video game characters for Halloween.C.Each event that a strange old man predicts eventually comes to pass.D.King Baldric's knights swear to protect him from his rival, Prince Aldor.