Spooky Symbols Comprehension Worksheet
3rd Grade ELA • Informational Reading
Name: Date:
The Story of Spooky Symbols
Explore how pumpkins, bats, spiders, witches, and ghosts became Halloween favorites!
Reading Passage 5 Informational Paragraphs
Paragraph 1
Ancient Roots and Wandering Ghosts
Over two thousand years ago, Celtic people celebrated an autumn harvest festival called Samhain (pronounced sow-in). They believed that on October 31st, wandering ghosts and spirits returned to visit the Earth. Villagers lit giant outdoor bonfires to keep safe in the dark. People also dressed up in animal skins and masks as clever disguises so spooky spirits would not recognize them. This ancient festival was the very first start of our modern costume and ghost traditions!
Paragraph 2
Carved Turnips to Big Orange Pumpkins
Carving glowing faces began hundreds of years ago in Ireland with an old legend about a man named Stingy Jack. Irish families carved scary faces into tough root vegetables like turnips, beets, and potatoes, placing a hot coal inside to frighten away bad spirits. When Irish immigrants arrived in North America in the 1800s, they discovered orange pumpkins. Pumpkins were native to the Americas, much larger, softer, and far easier to carve than hard turnips!
Paragraph 3
Swooping Bats and Creepy Spiders
Bats and spiders became symbols of Halloween because of science and nature. When ancient villagers lit huge bonfires, the heat and glow attracted clouds of flying bugs and moths. Hungry bats flew out from the shadows to gobble up the insects for an easy dinner! Meanwhile, spiders have spun quiet silk webs in dark, dusty barns, caves, and attics for centuries. Because spiders live in abandoned places, people began connecting them with haunted, spooky settings.
Paragraph 4
Village Healers and Flying Witches
The picture of a witch in a black pointed hat on a broomstick comes from old folklore. Long ago, certain village women were respected herbal healers. They gathered plants and brewed soothing medicines in pots for sick neighbors. Straw brooms were ordinary tools used daily to sweep ash and dirt from fireplaces. Over time, scary legends claimed these clever women had magical powers to fly through the night air on their hearth brooms with black cats.
Paragraph 5
Modern Celebrations: From Fear to Fun
As centuries passed, these old customs blended together in America and around the world. Today, October 31st is a cheerful holiday. Children put on costumes for trick-or-treating, carve smiling jack-o'-lanterns, and decorate with paper bats and spiderwebs. What used to be ancient fears has turned into playful autumn fun that brings friends and families together!
Reading Strategy: Look back at the paragraph numbers (1–5) to find exact facts for each question!
Page 1 of 3
Student Comprehension • Part 1 Name:
Factual Recall: Questions 1 – 6
Read each question and pull facts directly from paragraphs 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Score: _____ / 6
Q1
According to Paragraph 1, what was the name of the ancient Celtic autumn harvest festival?
A) Winter Solstice B) Samhain C) Stingy Jack D) October Feast
Q2
Why did ancient Celtic people dress up in animal skins and masks on October 31st? (Paragraph 1)
A) To look funny for a school play and make friends laugh B) To act as disguises so wandering spirits would not recognize them C) To trick bats into swooping down from the sky
Q3
In Ireland, what three root vegetables did people carve before pumpkins were used? (Paragraph 2)
Q4
Based on Paragraph 2, why did Irish immigrants switch to carving pumpkins in America?
A) Pumpkins were larger, softer, and far easier to carve than hard turnips B) Pumpkins smelled like sweet candy and scared away insects C) Turnips were forbidden to grow in North America
Q5
Why did hungry bats swoop around the ancient outdoor bonfires? (Paragraph 3)
A) The warm smoke helped bats build spiderwebs B) The bright fire attracted flying bugs and moths for bats to eat C) Bats loved to play with the Celtic villagers around the fire
Q6
According to Paragraph 3, where do spiders spin their webs that made people associate them with haunted places?
Turn to the next page for questions 7–10 and extended writing prompts! Page 2 of 3
Student Comprehension • Part 2 Name:
Analysis & Extended Response
Answer Questions 7–8, then write detailed responses for Questions 9–10.
Score: _____ / 4
Q7
What was the actual daily job of the women who were later called "witches" in old legends? (Paragraph 4)
Q8
What ordinary household chore were straw brooms used for before stories claimed they could fly? (Paragraph 4)
Q9
Extended Response 1: Costumes Then and Now
Explain how Halloween costumes have changed from ancient Celtic times to today. Use at least two facts from Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 5 to describe what people wore long ago and what people wear today.
Text Evidence
Writer's Checklist: Complete sentences Mentioned ancient costumes Mentioned modern costumes
Q10
Extended Response 2: Symbol Story
Pick ONE symbol: the pumpkin OR the bat. Explain how history or nature caused it to be connected to Halloween. Use specific details from the reading passage to support your explanation.
Explain & Support
Writer's Checklist: Named chosen symbol Used facts from text Capitalization & periods
Great job reading closely and citing evidence from the text! Page 3 of 3
