Multiple Choice Cloze
Halloween, ____ increasingly popular in countries far from its Celtic origins, is celebrated in a variety of ways.
A) now B) yet C) already D) still
A) now
Last Halloween, I decided to visit the town’s most notorious haunted house. No one had ever ___ reported leaving without feeling genuinely spooked.
been
Halloween has undergone considerable ____ since its early Celtic origins. (TRANSFORM)
transformation
I regret not going to the Halloween costume party last year. HAD
I __________ .
I WISH I HAD GONE TO THE HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY LAST YEAR
When the journalist started investigating the politician’s past, she discovered that he had a skeleton in the closet that he had kept secret for years.
What does “a skeleton in the closet” mean?
A) A frightening person who hides in dark places.
B) A hidden or secret source of shame.
C) A problem that is impossible to solve.
B) A hidden or secret source of shame.
While some traditions, such as pumpkin carving, remain widely recognized, others have evolved considerably, ___ include elaborate costume contests, haunted houses, and themed parties.
A) which B) including C) to include D) included
A) which
The entrance hall was dimly lit, and shadows seemed to move ___ the corners.
around
What was once a sacred ritual to ward off spirits has gradually become a highly ____ festival. (COMMERCIAL)
commercialised
I last went to that haunted house ten years ago. FOR
I have __________ .
I have NOT VISITED THAT HAUNTED HOUSE FOR TEN YEARS
The abandoned house was so creepy that the strange noises and shadows spooked me out, and I decided to leave.
What does “spook someone out” mean?
A) To frighten someone.
B) To make someone extremely happy.
C) To surprise someone with a funny joke.
A) To frighten someone.
Historically, the festival marked the end of the harvest and was a time when people believed spirits could roam freely.
Modern Halloween, however, is mostly associated with fun and social activities rather than spiritual ___.
A) importance B) meaningfulness C) significance D) essence
C) significance
Suddenly, a cold breeze ___ past, and I could swear I heard whispers coming from nowhere.
swept
Many people now celebrate with elaborate costumes and themed decorations, demonstrating remarkable ____ and creativity. (IMAGINE)
imagination
"You shouldn’t enter the abandoned graveyard at night,” my friend said. WARNED
My friend __________ .
My friend WARNED ME NOT TO ENTER THE ABANDONED GRAVEYARD AT NIGHT.
I was walking home alone when I heard footsteps directly behind me. The sound made my blood run cold.
What does “make one’s blood run cold” mean?
A) To make someone feel extremely cold because of the weather.
B) To cause someone to feel extreme fear.
C) To make someone feel tired and weak.
B) To cause someone to feel extreme fear.
Despite its popularity, some critics argue that the holiday has been excessively ___ by commercial interests.
A) extended B) exploited C) exaggerated D) exhausted
B) exploited
Despite my fear, I felt compelled to continue; there was a strange thrill in being ___ into the unknown.
drawn
Some traditional aspects remain, but the holiday has lost much of its ____ significance. (SPIRIT)
spiritual
We were laughing when suddenly a bat flew past the window. WHILE
A bat __________ .
A bat FLEW PAST THE WINDOW WHILE WE WERE LAUGHING.
We arrived at the cinema ten minutes after the film had started, so we had a ghost of a chance of getting tickets.
What does “a ghost of a chance” mean?
A) A very slim chance.
B) A mysterious opportunity involving a ghost.
C) A chance that is guaranteed to succeed.
A) A very slim chance.
Still, for many, Halloween remains a night of excitement, creativity, and a chance to ___ in playful frights.
A) engage B) indulge C) surrender D) participate
B) indulge
By the time I left, I was exhausted but ___ exhilarated.
still
Nevertheless, it continues to bring joy and ____ to millions. (ENTERTAIN)
entertainment
The story was so frightening that we couldn’t sleep all night. SUCH
It was __________ that we couldn’t sleep all night.
It was SUCH A FRIGHTENING STORY that we couldn’t sleep all night.
The journalist claimed that the investigation had become a witch hunt, with people trying to punish anyone who expressed unpopular opinions.
What does “witch hunt” mean?
A) An attempt to find and punish people whose opinions are unpopular.
B) A traditional Halloween activity involving costumes and sweets.
C) An investigation into supernatural creatures.
A) An attempt to find and punish people whose opinions are unpopular.