October is a month loved by many - mostly because of Halloween! Fill in the blanks with the past tense of the verbs in parentheses using the possible answers below.
Halloween is a time of celebration and superstition*. This popular holiday __1__ (start) with the ancient Celtic festival, Samhain, when people __2a__ (light) bonfires and __2b__(wear) costumes to keep ghosts away. Around the 8th century, Pope Gregory III __3__ (choose) November 1 as a time to honour all Catholic saints and martyrs. This holiday was __4__ (call) All Saints’ Day, and even __5__ (include) some traditions from Samhain. October 31st __6__(become) known as All Hallows’ Eve, and was later called Halloween. As the years went by, Halloween (changed) into a secular community holiday, with lots of family-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. In many countries all over the world, people continue to welcome the winter season with thrilling** costumes, funny tricks***, and sweet treats.
Glossary
*Superstition:a popular but irrational belief in supernatural or magical influences, especially connected to good or bad luck
**Thrilling: causing excitement or exhilaration
***Tricks: sly or cunning acts or plans intended to fool or outwit someone
