Расширение страноведческого кругозора по теме англоязычных праздников. Halloween в формате заданий по чтению.
Read the text bout Stingy Jack and answer the questions.
The Story of Stingy Jack
Jack-o'-lanterns are everywhere at this time of year. They adorn our yards and our stoops. Their gruesome faces light the dark nights leading up to Halloween. Some are goofy, some are grotesque. Where does this custom come from? Why do we choose to eviscerate helpless vegetables and burn their bellies? It's a story born of treachery and hell fire. It's the story of Stingy Jack. Ireland, long ago.
Old Stingy Jack, a blacksmith and notorious drunkard was drinking at a local pub when the Devil appeared before him. "It's time, Jack", said the Devil. "Let's have one more", said Jack, "so we may discuss this further". "Very well", said Satan, and he sat down. Jack ordered another pint. Satan had a drink with Jack. "Time to go, Jack". Jack eyed Satan and said, "I am without coin and cannot pay, but I have an idea, why don't you shape-shift into sixpence, so we can pay and leave this place". Satan agreed and changed into the requested sixpence. Jack quickly slipped the Devil into his wallet, next to his silver crucifix, rendering the Devil powerless. Satan was furious and demanded to be released from inside Jack's wallet. "Only on the condition that you don't claim my soul for ten years, Lucifer", said Jack. Satan agreed and Jack released him. With this treachery Jack bought himself ten more years.
Ten years to the day, Jack was walking down a country road when Satan appeared before him. "Time to go, Jack". Jack stalled and pointed out the apple tree on the path. "Oh, Satan, allowed me one more bite of juicy apple before I go". Satan nodded his assent. "As you can see, my body is old and withered, Satan, could you reach that most choicest of apples for me?". When Satan was safely in the branches, Jack placed a cross at the bottom of the tree.
Tricked again, Satan was furious and demanded to be released. "Only on the condition that you never claim my soul, Lucifer". Satan agreed and Jack felt smug.
Jack soon took ill and died a lonely death. Jack's soul ascended to the gates of heaven.
"Your eternal soul cannot reside here", said Saint Peter, and so Jack was turned away. And so Jack approached the gates of hell, where he was greeted by the Prince of Darkness himself. "Let me in, Satan", said Jack. "I'm sorry Jack, but I must honor our agreement, I cannot claim your soul". "But where am I to go?", asked Jack. "Back to earth Jack, allow this hell fire to light your way". And so Jack inserted the hell fire ember into a hollowed-out pumpkin and it led his way back to earth where he can still be seen on moonless nights. He, Jack of the lantern.
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. What was Stingy Jack's profession?
a) A farmer
b) A blacksmith
c) A pub owner
d) A coin maker
2. Why did the Devil first appear to Jack?
a) To have a drink with him
b) To ask for directions
c) To claim his soul
d) To buy him a pint
3. How did Jack trap the Devil the first time?
a) He locked him in a cellar.
b) He slipped him into his wallet next to a crucifix.
c) He tricked him under an apple basket.
d) He trapped him in a hollowed-out pumpkin.
4. What was the condition for Jack releasing the Devil from his wallet?
a) The Devil had to give him unlimited wealth.
b) The Devil could not claim his soul for ten years.
c) The Devil had to leave Ireland forever.
d) The Devil had to grant him three wishes.
5. What object did Jack use to trap the Devil the second time?
a) A silver crucifix
b) A hell fire ember
c) A cross
d) A sixpence coin
6. Why was Jack not allowed into Heaven?
a) He was a notorious drunkard.
b) He had tricked the Devil.
c) His eternal soul could not reside there.
d) He had not been baptized.
7. Why did the Devil refuse to let Jack into Hell?
a) He was afraid of Jack's tricks.
b) He had to honor their agreement.
c) Hell was too full.
d) Jack did not have a soul.
8. What did Jack use to carry the hell fire?
a) A lantern
b) A hollowed-out turnip (according to original folklore)
c) A hollowed-out pumpkin
d) A metal bucket
True/False/Doesn't Say Questions
1. Stingy Jack was a well-loved and generous man in his town.
2. The Devil shape-shifted into a sixpence coin to help Jack pay for his drink.
3. After the first trick, the Devil was forbidden from claiming any soul for ten years.
4. Jack asked the Devil to get him an apple because he was genuinely hungry.
5. Jack died surrounded by his friends and family.
6. Saint Peter personally disliked Jack, which is why he wasn't allowed into Heaven.
7. The Devil gave Jack a burning ember from the fires of Hell to light his way.
8. The legend says that Jack's spirit can only be seen on Halloween night.
1. Stingy Jack was a well-loved and generous man in his town.
- True / False / Doesn't say
2. The Devil shape-shifted into a sixpence coin to help Jack pay for his drink.
- True / False / Doesn't say
3. After the first trick, the Devil was forbidden from claiming any soul for ten years.
- True / False / Doesn't say
4. Jack asked the Devil to get him an apple because he was genuinely hungry.
- True / False / Doesn't say
5. Jack died surrounded by his friends and family.
- True / False / Doesn't say
6. Saint Peter personally disliked Jack, which is why he wasn't allowed into Heaven.
- True / False / Doesn't say
7. The Devil gave Jack a burning ember from the fires of Hell to light his way.
- True / False / Doesn't say
8. The legend says that Jack's spirit can only be seen on Halloween night.
- True / False / Doesn't say
---
Answer Key
Multiple-Choice:
1. b) A blacksmith
2. c) To claim his soul
3. b) He slipped him into his wallet next to a crucifix.
4. b) The Devil could not claim his soul for ten years.
5. c) A cross
6. c) His eternal soul could not reside there.
7. b) He had to honor their agreement.
8. c) A hollowed-out pumpkin
True/False/Doesn't Say:
1. False (He is described as "stingy" and a "notorious drunkard.")
2. True
3. Doesn't say (The agreement was specifically about Jack's soul.)
4. False (It was a trick to get the Devil into the tree.)
5. False (He "died a lonely death.")
6. Doesn't say (The text gives a general reason, not a personal one.)
7. True
8. False (The text says "on moonless nights.")
The Story of Stingy Jack
Jack-o'-lanterns are everywhere at this time of year. They adorn our yards and our stoops.
Their gruesome faces light the dark nights leading up to Halloween. Some are goofy, some
are grotesque. Where does this custom come from? Why do we choose to eviscerate
helpless vegetables and burn their bellies? It's a story born of treachery and hell fire. It's
the story of Stingy Jack.
Ireland, long ago.
Old Stingy Jack, a blacksmith and notorious drunkard was drinking at a local pub when
the Devil appeared before him. "It's time, Jack", said the Devil. "Let's have one more", said
Jack, "so we may discuss this further". "Very well", said Satan, and he sat down. Jack
ordered another pint. Satan had a drink with Jack. "Time to go, Jack". Jack eyed Satan and
said, "I am without coin and cannot pay, but I have an idea, why don't you shape-shift into
sixpence, so we can pay and leave this place". Satan agreed and changed into the
requested sixpence. Jack quickly slipped the Devil into his wallet, next to his silver
crucifix, rendering the Devil powerless. Satan was furious and demanded to be released
from inside Jack's wallet. "Only on the condition that you don't claim my soul for ten
years, Lucifer", said Jack. Satan agreed and Jack released him. With this treachery Jack
bought himself ten more years.
Ten years to the day, Jack was walking down a country road when Satan appeared before
him. "Time to go, Jack". Jack stalled and pointed out the apple tree on the path. "Oh, Satan,
allowed me one more bite of juicy apple before I go". Satan nodded his assent. "As you can
see, my body is old and withered, Satan, could you reach that most choicest of apples for
me?". When Satan was safely in the branches, Jack placed a cross at the bottom of the tree.
Tricked again, Satan was furious and demanded to be released. "Only on the condition
that you never claim my soul, Lucifer". Satan agreed and Jack felt smug.
Jack soon took ill and died a lonely death. Jack's soul ascended to the gates of heaven.
"Your eternal soul cannot reside here", said Saint Peter, and so Jack was turned away. And
so Jack approached the gates of hell, where he was greeted by the Prince of Darkness
himself. "Let me in, Satan", said Jack. "I'm sorry Jack, but I must honor our agreement, I
cannot claim your soul". "But where am I to go?", asked Jack. "Back to earth Jack, allow this
hell fire to light your way". And so Jack inserted the hell fire ember into a hollowed-out
pumpkin and it led his way back to earth where he can still be seen on moonless nights.
He, Jack of the lantern.
552
100 918 
