Reading
Writing
Speaking
100
The haunted mansion looked eerie in the moonlight, with shadows dancing across its broken windows. What does "eerie" mean?
- A) Beautiful
- B) Strange and frightening
- C) Old and dirty
- D) Expensive
B) Strange and frightening
100
The witch _____ her broomstick across the night sky.
- A) fly
- B) flying
- C) flew
- D) flown
C) flew
100
Show image of a carved pumpkin Task: Describe what you see in this picture using complete sentences. Include at least 3 details.
"I see a carved jack-o'-lantern. It has a triangular nose and a smiling mouth with teeth. The pumpkin is orange and appears to be sitting outside."
200
Bats are often feared during Halloween, but they play an important role in our ecosystem. These nocturnal creatures help control insect populations by eating thousands of mosquitoes each night. Some bats also pollinate plants and spread seeds. Without bats, many environments would be overrun with pests.
What is the main idea of this passage?
- A) Bats are scary creatures
- B) Bats only come out at night
- C) Bats are important and helpful to the environment
- D) Bats eat mosquitoes
C) Bats are important and helpful to the environment
200
Which sentence is written correctly?
- A) My sister and me went to the haunted house on saturday.
- B) My sister and I went to the haunted house on Saturday.
- C) My sister and I went to the Haunted House on saturday.
- D) Me and my sister went to the haunted house on Saturday.
B) My sister and I went to the haunted house on Saturday.
200
Tell about a time you wore a costume or dressed up for a special occasion. What did you wear and how did you feel?
Scoring criteria:
- Uses past tense correctly
- Includes details about the costume and feelings
- Speaks in complete sentences
- Uses transition words (first, then, after)
300
First, choose a pumpkin that is firm and has no soft spots. Next, cut a circle around the stem and remove the top. Then, scoop out all the seeds and pulp from inside. After that, draw your design on the pumpkin's surface. Finally, carefully carve along your lines with a sharp knife.
How is this text organized?
- A) Compare and contrast
- B) Cause and effect
- C) Sequential/chronological order
- D) Problem and solution
C) Sequential/chronological order
300
Combine these sentences: "The costume was scary. The costume was expensive. The costume won first prize."
Best combined sentence:
- A) The costume was scary and expensive and it won first prize.
- B) The scary, expensive costume won first prize.
- C) The costume won first prize because it was scary and expensive.
- D) Winning first prize, the costume was scary and expensive.
B) The scary, expensive costume won first prize.
300
Compare Halloween celebrations with another holiday you celebrate. How are they similar and different?
Scoring criteria:
- Uses comparative language (both, however, while, similar to)
- Identifies at least 2 similarities or differences
- Speaks clearly with organized thoughts
- Uses complex sentences
400
Maria clutched her pillowcase tightly as she approached the dark house at the end of the street. All the other houses had been decorated with cheerful pumpkins and friendly ghosts, but this one had broken stairs and no lights. Her friends had already run ahead to the next block. She took a deep breath and walked up to the creaky door.
What can you infer about Maria?
- A) She is excited about trick-or-treating
- B) She is nervous but trying to be brave
- C) She doesn't like Halloween
- D) She is looking for her friends
B) She is nervous but trying to be brave
400
Which sentence uses the most precise language?
- A) The ghost went through the wall.
- B) The ghost moved through the wall.
- C) The ghost passed through the wall.
- D) The ghost glided silently through the wall.
D) The ghost glided silently through the wall.
400
Prompt: Do you think schools should have Halloween parties? Why or why not? Give at least two reasons for your opinion.
Scoring criteria:
- States clear opinion
- Provides 2+ reasons with support
- Uses opinion language (I think, I believe, in my opinion)
- Addresses counterarguments if possible
500
Don't throw away those pumpkin seeds! After carving your jack-o'-lantern, rinse the seeds, toss them with olive oil and salt, and roast them at 350°F for 15 minutes. You'll have a delicious, nutritious snack that's perfect for Halloween parties.
What is the author's purpose?
- A) To entertain readers with a Halloween story
- B) To persuade readers that pumpkin seeds are healthy
- C) To inform/instruct readers how to make roasted pumpkin seeds
- D) To describe what pumpkin seeds taste like
C) To inform/instruct readers how to make roasted pumpkin seeds
500
Choose the best transition word: "Many people are afraid of spiders. _____, most spiders are harmless to humans."
- A) Therefore
- B) However
- C) Also
- D) Finally
B) However
500
Halloween Safety Tips
Halloween is a fun holiday, but it's important to stay safe while trick-or-treating. First, always travel in groups with friends or family members. Never go alone or enter someone's home. Second, be careful when crossing streets. Look both ways, use crosswalks, and make sure drivers can see you by wearing reflective clothing or carrying a flashlight. Third, check all your candy before eating it. Make sure wrappers are sealed and throw away anything that looks opened or suspicious. Have an adult inspect homemade treats. Finally, stay in well-lit neighborhoods and only visit houses with porch lights on. If you follow these safety rules, you'll have a fun and safe Halloween!
Prompt: After reading this information about Halloween safety, summarize the main points in your own words.
Scoring criteria:
- Identifies 3+ main ideas
- Uses own words (not memorized text)
- Organizes ideas logically
- Speaks fluently with appropriate transitions