The World's Most Famous Haunted Houses — Reading Comprehension

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Grades

Standards

RI.4.3
RI.4.4
RI.4.5
W.4.2
SL.4.1

About This Reader

This engaging non-fiction reading passage introduces students to the world's most famous haunted houses and their connection to Halloween traditions. Through a chronological, story-like structure, readers learn about the history, legends, and cultural significance of haunted houses in different countries. The passage supports vocabulary development, historical understanding, and ELA informational text standards such as RI.4.3 and RI.4.4. Activities include a multiple-choice quiz, writing prompts, and a graphic organizer to deepen comprehension and analysis. A Spanish translation of the passage and a read aloud audio option make this resource accessible for diverse learners. Students will build connections between cultural events and their history, analyze cause and effect, and compare perspectives about haunted traditions around the world. This passage is ideal for social studies or ELA units on cultural events, holidays, and global traditions.

CONTENT PREVIEW

winchester mystery house, san jose, greens, bushes, sky, halloween, garden, pumpkin, autumn, sunny, fall, san jose, san jose, san jose, san jose, san jose — Winchester Mystery House in California by kavika2014 / Pixabay.

Haunted houses are homes that many people believe are filled with ghosts or spirits. Around the world, stories about haunted houses are a big part of Halloween. These mysterious places have history, legends, and secrets that attract visitors every year. Today, I will tell you about some of the most famous haunted houses and how they became part of Halloween traditions.

One of the most famous haunted houses in the United States is the Winchester Mystery House in California. It was built by Sarah Winchester, who believed that strange spirits haunted her family. To keep the ghosts away, she kept building new rooms, staircases, and doors for 38 years! Today, people visit the house to see its odd design and listen to ghost stories. Some guests say they have felt cold spots or heard unexplained noises.

In England, the Tower of London is known for its haunted prison cells and ghostly sightings. For hundreds of years, kings, queens, and prisoners lived or were kept there. Many visitors have claimed to see the spirit of Anne Boleyn, a famous queen, walking at night.

Japan has its own famous haunted house called Aokigahara, also known as the "Sea of Trees". People believe the deep forest is filled with restless spirits. Local legends tell of strange lights and voices at night. During Halloween, some people visit to test their bravery and learn about Japanese ghost stories.

Haunted houses became popular during Halloween because people love a good scare. In the past, families would share ghost stories by candlelight. Today, many towns build haunted houses for fun. People dress up as ghosts, decorate their homes, and invite neighbors to walk through spooky rooms. These traditions help people face their fears together and celebrate the mystery of Halloween.

Every haunted house has its own legend. Some stories teach lessons or explain strange events. Others remind us to respect the past and the people who lived before us. By learning about haunted houses, we understand more about different cultures, beliefs, and ways people celebrate Halloween.

Interesting Fact: The Winchester Mystery House has more than 160 rooms and some staircases that lead to nowhere!

Where is the Winchester Mystery House?

CaliforniaEnglandJapanFrance

Who built the Winchester Mystery House?

Sarah WinchesterAnne BoleynAokigaharaKing Henry

What is the Tower of London known for?

Haunted prison cellsBig gardenTall mountainsMovie theater

Why did haunted houses become popular at Halloween?

People love to be scaredFor cooking contestsTo watch moviesFor sports games

How do haunted houses help communities during Halloween?

Bring people togetherMake new carsPlant treesBuild bridges

What might people feel in a haunted house?