CBSE Assessment of Speaking and Listening ASL, New Task and Speaking Test Examples (ASL) with conversation and Questions and Answers for Class 10 and Class 11. Test No 23

HALLOWEEN

Situation: Patrick and Sara are planning to go trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Because they are too young to go by themselves, their mom asks their two older siblings, either Christine or Ian, to take them around the neighborhood.

Patrick: Wow! Today is October 30th! Halloween is tomorrow already! Have you decided what you will be dressing up for Halloween yet, Sara?

Sara: I’m not sure what I want to be yet. I want to be either a butterfly or a pumpkin. But why do we dress up for Halloween?

Patrick: Halloween is a festival for children, and costumes make it more special. I think we have much more fun going from house to house asking for candies (trick-or-treating) after sunset dressed in our favorite costumes.

Sara: Yes, I remember having a lot of fun last year when mom took me around in a bunny outfit. Do you know what you want to be yet, Patrick?

Patrick: I want to be Batman! I like wearing the cape and the mask. I think you should be a butterfly. You are so much shorter than me, and dressed in a pumpkin costume, someone might think you really are one and try to make a pie out of you.

Sara: How could anyone mistake me for a real pumpkin? Real pumpkins do not have a head or arms or legs. But I suppose I will be a butterfly anyway. I can have pretty wings.

Patrick: Great! So you will be a butterfly and I will be Batman. Let’s go ask Mom if we can go trick-or-treating tomorrow night by ourselves. Although you are still young, I think I am old enough to watch over the both of us.

Sara: OK, let’s go ask mom!

Patrick: MOM! Can Sara and I go trick-or-treating by ourselves tomorrow? I can watch over Sara and make sure she stays out of trouble.

Sara: Yes, Mom. If we go by ourselves, then you can stay home and relax. You will not have to get cold waiting for us.

Mom: Thank you for offering, Patrick. However, I will be worried and I will not be able to relax if you and your brother go by yourselves while I stay home. Let me ask Christine or Ian if one of them can go with both of you. Then I can stay home and relax. Christine! Ian!

Christine & Ian: What, Mom? You called us?

Mom: Do you have any free time tomorrow night? Can one of you take Patrick and Sara around the neighborhood so that they can trick-or-treat on Halloween?

Christine: I can take them, Mom. I do not have any plans tomorrow.

Ian: Mom, I heard you wanted to go watch a movie tomorrow night with Dad. If you want, I can stay at home and give out candies to any trick-or-treaters who come by while Christine takes Patrick and Sara trick-or-treating.

Christine: Then you and Dad can have a little fun on Halloween too.

Sara: So Mom and Dad can relax!

Mom: Sounds like a plan, kids. Thanks a lot!

Patrick: Well, I think I am old enough to take Sara around by myself, but maybe we can get more candy if Christine comes. Hey Christine, how about you trick-or-treat with us, and give us your candy afterwards?

Christine: No way, Patrick. I will eat every Hershey’s, Reese’s, Snickers, and Twix I get. You can have my Jolly Ranchers though.

Ian: Well, it seems as though everything is settled and everyone will have some Halloween fun. I think I am going to have the most fun of all though. I get to eat all the candies that I do not give away, and I do not even have to trick-or-treat for it!

EXERCISES

1) Conversation Practice

Step 1: Have the students listen to the recorded dialogue.

Step 2: Have the students read along to the recorded dialogue.

Step 3: Divide your class into groups of five students, and have each play a role.

2) Questions/Answers Practice

Pair the students and have them practice the following questions and answers. Ask them to come up with similar questions and answers.

Q: Is there a festival for children in your country? A: Yes, we have the Mid-Autumn Moon festival.

Q: When do you celebrate this festival? A: We celebrate it on the fifteenth day of the eighth Lunar month every year.

Q: How did this festival come about? A: It came about a long time ago whenparents wished to spend more time with

their children after the harvest season.

Q: How important is this holiday? A: It is one of the most important holidays besides New Year.

Q: What do children do on this holiday? A: They light up their lanterns and parade in the streets or around their neighborhood.

Q: Are they going to carry those big red lanterns A: No, they carry lanterns of all shapes and that I see hanging in the stores? colors such as the shape of fish, stars or butterflies.

Q: What else do they do? A: They sing Mid-Autumn Moon songs, eat moon cakes, and perform some traditional dances.

Q: What do their parents do in the meantime? A: Most of the time, their parents drink tea and eat moon cakes while watching them have fun.

Q: Are there any other traditions? A: People give each other boxes of moon cakes also.

3) Comprehension test

1. a) What is Halloween?
2. b) When do people celebrate Halloween?
3. c) What do Sarah and Patrick want to be?
4. d) Why doesn’t their mother allow them to go trick-or-treating by themselves?
5. e) Who is going to take Sarah and Patrick trick-or-treating?
6. f) Why does Ian offer to stay at home to give out candy?
7. g) What does Patrick want from Christine when they return from trick-or-treating?
8. h) What is Christine willing to give Patrick?
9. i) Why does Ian think he will have the most fun of all?

4) Discussion

1. a) What are the special holidays for children in your country? How do people celebrate them?
2. b) What is your most favorite holiday? Why?
3. c) Do we need holidays in our life? Why? Why not?