Are Halloween Costumes Too Scary??| 🎧 English on the Go! | Intermediate

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# Introduction to the Episode

Host Alex: Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another episode of "English on the Go." Today, we're diving into an interesting discussion that comes up every October.

# Introduction to the Topic

Host Alex: It's that time of year when spooky decorations fill the streets, and kids get excited about trick-or-treating. But there's a debate that comes up every Halloween: are Halloween costumes becoming too scary? Today, we'll listen to a conversation between two friends, Lisa and Clem, as they discuss their views on this topic. They'll touch on the impact these costumes have on kids and whether there should be limits on how scary they can be. Let's get into it!

# Pre-listening Questions

Host Alex: Before we dive into today’s conversation, I want you to think about a few questions to get you ready. These will help you focus on the main ideas and get you thinking about the topic

1. Do you enjoy dressing up in costumes for Halloween?

2. Have you ever seen a Halloween costume that you thought was too scary?

3. Should there be any limits on what costumes people can wear during Halloween?

# Conversation

Characters: Lisa and Clem

Lisa: Hey Clem, Halloween is coming up. Are you excited?

Clem: I am! But, to be honest, I've been thinking a lot about the costumes. Last year, I saw some that were really scary, even for me as an adult!

Lisa: Yeah, I've noticed that too. I mean, Halloween is supposed to be spooky, but sometimes it feels like it's going too far, especially with costumes for kids.

Clem: Exactly. I remember when I was a kid, costumes were mostly ghosts, witches, or maybe a vampire. Now, they have costumes that look like they're straight out of a horror movie. It can be really intense for younger children.

Lisa: That's true. I think there's a fine line between spooky and terrifying. Costumes should be fun and maybe a little scary, but not so much that they give kids nightmares.

Clem: Agreed. I went to a Halloween event last year, and I saw a kid who looked genuinely terrified of some of the costumes. It made me wonder if there should be guidelines for what's appropriate, especially at family-friendly events.

Lisa: Guidelines could help. But then again, Halloween is all about freedom of expression and creativity. Some people love the thrill of being scared, even kids!

Clem: That's true. I guess it depends on the context. If it's a community event meant for young children, maybe there should be some rules about how scary costumes can be. But if it's an adult party, then anything goes.

Lisa: Right, context matters. I think parents also have a role to play. They should know what their kids can handle and prepare them if they know they'll be around scary costumes.

Clem: Good point. And maybe we need to focus more on the fun side of Halloween—carving pumpkins, telling spooky stories, and eating candy—without making everything too intense.

Lisa: Absolutely. Halloween can still be fun without being overly frightening. There are so many ways to be creative without going for the extreme scare factor.

Clem: Agreed. Maybe this year, we can focus on costumes that are spooky, but in a more playful way.

Lisa: Sounds like a plan! Let's keep the spirit of Halloween alive, but make it enjoyable for everyone.

# Vocabulary Analysis

Host Alex: Now, let's go over some key vocabulary from the conversation.

Spooky: It means slightly scary but in a fun way. For example, "Halloween decorations are often spooky but not terrifying."
Terrifying: This means extremely scary. For example, "The haunted house was so terrifying that I couldn't sleep all night."
Nightmares: Bad dreams that cause fear or distress. For example, "Some horror movies can give people nightmares."
Guidelines: Rules or advice on how to do something. For example, "The school has guidelines for what costumes students can wear to the Halloween party."
Context: The situation or background information that helps to understand something. For example, "In the context of a family-friendly event, costumes shouldn't be too scary."

Host Alex: Listen to the conversation again. This time, try to identify these words as you listen.

# Comprehension Questions

Host Alex: Let’s see how well you understood the conversation. I’ll ask you a few questions to help you review the main points. Think carefully about the answers!

1. What does Lisa think about how Halloween costumes have changed over time?

2. Why does Clem believe there should be guidelines for Halloween costumes?

3. How does Lisa feel about the idea of guidelines?

4. According to Clem, what role do parents play in Halloween?

5. What do Lisa and Clem agree on at the end of their conversation?

# Post-listening Questions

Host Alex: Now, let’s go beyond today’s conversation and apply what you’ve learned. I have a few more questions for you to think about. How can you relate these ideas to your own life?

1. How do you feel about scary Halloween costumes?

2. Have you ever worn a costume that scared others?

3. What do you think is the right balance between spooky and fun on Halloween?

# Conclusion

Host Alex: That’s all for today’s episode. Remember, Halloween can be a time for fun and creativity. We've also prepared a special free PDF for this episode, full of useful tips and vocabulary to help you learn more. Make sure to check it out! Until next time, stay curious and keep learning!

# Vocabulary Summary

Word	Type	Pronunciation	Meaning	Example Sentence
Spooky	Adjective	/ˈspuː.ki/	Slightly scary but in a fun way	"Halloween decorations are often spooky but not terrifying."
Terrifying	Adjective	/ˈter.ɪ.faɪ.ɪŋ/	Extremely scary	"The haunted house was so terrifying that I couldn't sleep all night."
Nightmares	Noun	/ˈnaɪt.meəz/	Bad dreams that cause fear or distress	"Some horror movies can give people nightmares."
Guidelines	Noun	/ˈɡaɪd.laɪnz/	Rules or advice on how to do something	"The school has guidelines for what costumes students can wear to the Halloween party."
Context	Noun	/ˈkɒn.tekst/	The situation or background information	"In the context of a family-friendly event, costumes shouldn't be too scary."

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EXERCISE

Exercise 1: Fill-in-the-Blanks
Listen to the podcast and fill in the blanks with the correct words:

Some people think Halloween costumes are becoming too __________.
Clem believes that the context of the __________ matters when choosing costumes.
Lisa thinks Halloween is all about __________ of expression and creativity.
Parents should know what their kids can __________ and prepare them accordingly.
At adult parties, there is usually more __________ in costume choice.
__________ costumes are meant to be fun, not genuinely terrifying.
Clem feels that some costumes look like they are from a __________ movie.
Lisa says that kids sometimes enjoy the __________ of being scared.
Not every Halloween event is meant to be __________ for young children.
Finding the right __________ between fun and scary is important.

Answer Key

1. scary

2. event

3. freedom

4. handle

5. freedom

6. Halloween

7. horror

8. thrill

9. suitable

10. balance

Exercise 2: Vocabulary Matching
Match the words from the podcast with their correct meanings:

Words	Meaning
Spooky	a) The situation or background information
Terrifying	b) Slightly scary but in a fun way
Context	c) Extremely scary
Expression	d) Clear communication of ideas or feelings
Guidelines	e) Rules or advice on how to do something

Answer Key

1. Spooky - b) Slightly scary but in a fun way

2. Terrifying - c) Extremely scary

3. Context - a) The situation or background information

4. Expression - d) Clear communication of ideas or feelings

5. Guidelines - e) Rules or advice on how to do something

Exercise 3: True or False
Listen to the podcast and decide whether the statements are true or false:

Clem thinks all Halloween costumes are suitable for young children.
Lisa believes Halloween is about creativity and freedom of expression.
According to Clem, there should be strict rules for costumes at adult parties.
Lisa suggests parents should know their children's limits regarding scary costumes.
Clem and Lisa agree that not every Halloween event is suitable for all ages.

Answer Key

1. False

2. True

3. False

4. True

5. True

Exercise 4: Comprehension Questions
Answer the following questions based on the details in the podcast:

Why does Clem think some Halloween costumes might be too intense for children?
What is Lisa's opinion about Halloween and costumes?
According to Clem, how does the context of the event affect costume choices?
What role does Lisa think parents should play during Halloween?
How do Clem and Lisa plan to approach Halloween costumes this year?

Answer Key

1. Clem thinks some Halloween costumes are too intense for children because they look like they are straight out of a horror movie and can be genuinely terrifying for younger kids.

2. Lisa believes that Halloween is all about freedom of expression and creativity. She thinks that some people, including kids, love the thrill of being scared.

3. According to Clem, the context of the event affects the type of costumes. If it's a family-friendly event meant for young children, there should be some rules about how scary costumes can be. But at an adult party, there can be more freedom.

4. According to Lisa, parents have a role to play during Halloween. They should know what their kids can handle and prepare them if they know they'll be around scary costumes.

5. Clem and Lisa plan to focus on costumes that are spooky but more playful this Halloween to keep it enjoyable for everyone.

Exercise 5: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct answer for each question:

According to Clem, some Halloween costumes look like they are from:
a) A comedy show
b) A fairytale
c) A horror movie
d) A superhero movie
Lisa believes Halloween is about:
a) Fun and slightly scary
b) Strict costume guidelines
c) Only cute costumes
d) Avoiding scary themes
Clem thinks that the type of costumes should be influenced by:
a) The time of year
b) The context of the event
c) The price of costumes
d) The color of costumes

Answer Key

1. c) A horror movie

2. a) Fun and slightly scary

3. b) The context of the event