Ms.Riham Tarek.B2 .CEFR.READING FOR ILETS.pptx

ILETS

1. Ghosts IELTS Reading & Vocabulary Mr. Steve

2. Synonym Matching Activity Match each word on the left with its synonym on the right. spirit haunt legend terrify whisper mansion mystical vanish curse phantom disappear scary magical ghost myth p ossess big house soul s pell m urmur

3. A ghost is believed to be the spirit of a person who has died. Many cultures around the world describe ghosts in their legends. Some people believe they are real, while others say they are just imagination. Ghosts are often connected with death, darkness, and mystery. Sometimes, they are described as friendly, but more often, they can terrify those who see them. For teenagers in Thailand, ghost stories are told during school camps, sleepovers, or near temples at night. But do these stories have any truth?

4. In Thailand, ghosts are an important part of daily life and tradition. Many Thais believe in spirits such as “Phi Krasue ,” a female ghost with a floating head and glowing organs, and “Phi Pret,” a tall phantom said to punish greedy people. Grandparents often pass these stories down to teach moral lessons. The stories may haunt the young, but they also bring excitement. During Buddhist holidays, people give food to monks as a way to calm wandering spirits and show respect to ancestors.

5. Some legends suggest that ghosts remain on Earth because they have unfinished business. For example, a parent might want to protect their children, or a victim of a crime may want justice. A wandering phantom may not know it has died and continues daily life as if still alive. Others are terrified of moving on, afraid of the unknown world after death. Ghosts are sometimes drawn back to places filled with pain, such as old houses, hospitals, or battlefields, where strong emotions remain.

6. Not all ghosts are the same. Some are friendly spirits who simply watch over loved ones. Others are dangerous, trying to scare or even harm people. “Residual ghosts” are like recordings, endlessly repeating the past. Poltergeists are famous for making noises, moving chairs, or even starting fires. A “crisis apparition” often appears at the exact moment someone dies, silently saying goodbye. One of the most frightening is the vengeful spirit, which appears only to seek revenge on those who hurt it.

7. Outside of Thailand, many ghost legends are famous. In England, tourists still visit the “Tower of London,” where the ghost of Queen Anne Boleyn is said to haunt the castle halls. In Japan, there are terrifying “ onryō ”—female spirits who return from death to punish those who wronged them. American movies often feature “haunted mansions,” where rich families once lived but now only shadows remain. Whether in Asia or Europe, ghost stories are part of culture, mixing fear with tradition.

8. Many Thai students claim that school buildings are haunted. At night, when the classrooms are empty, strange noises are heard. Some say they hear someone whisper their name from the dark hallway. In old schools, students sometimes see shadows running across the playground. Teachers usually laugh at these stories, but many students will not stay alone after class. Thai ghost films often show scary scenes in schools because the idea of spirits hiding near classrooms feels very real.

9. Temples are holy places, yet many stories describe phantoms lingering nearby. Some say that a person who disrespects the temple may receive a curse. At night, monks sometimes report hearing footsteps, but when they look, no one is there. In old forests where temples were built, glowing lights and moving figures are often seen. Thais often burn incense or place food outside temples to please the spirits, asking them to protect the land instead of causing fear.

10. For hundreds of years, people have told legends about angels and demons. Angels are often described as beautiful spirits with glowing wings who come from heaven to protect humans. Many people believe that angels help us feel safe and give comfort when we are afraid. On the other hand, demons are thought to be evil beings. Legends say they sometimes try to trick people by changing their form or hiding their true intentions. Demons are said to harm those they meet, and people fear their power. Sometimes, a spirit appearing in a dream could be either an angel with a message or a demon bringing a warning. These stories continue to terrify and fascinate people everywhere.

11. Sometimes, what people think is a ghost could be just a memory left in a place. This is called a residual haunting. For example, if a battle happened long ago, people might still hear soldiers shouting or see figures running through fields. It’s not the soldiers’ spirits but only an “echo” of history. Think of it as a movie that plays over and over. The ghosts do not notice the living. They simply vanish, then return again when the moment is replayed.

12. One of the most frightening types of phantoms is the poltergeist, also called the “noisy ghost.” They do not just stand quietly—they slam doors, break glass, or throw books around. In some cases, lights flicker or televisions turn on by themselves. Thai families sometimes hear heavy banging from their roofs at night. At first, the activity starts small, maybe with a spoon falling. But soon, it becomes violent. People pray, call monks, or even leave their houses forever because the haunting becomes too strong.

13. Around the world, people tell stories of seeing loved ones just before their death. This is known as a crisis apparition. A mother may vanish before your eyes, only for the phone to ring with news of her passing moments later. In Thai villages, stories like this are common. Many believe these spirits appear briefly to say goodbye or to give warnings. Some students report dreams where a dead relative visits, asking them to take care of the family after they leave.

14. Some phantoms are confused and do not understand that they have died. These spirits continue their daily routines, living in the same house or walking in familiar places. They may try to communicate with the living, but their message is not always understood. A famous example is the movie ‘The Others,’ where the ghosts believe that the people moving into their home are the real intruders. This kind of ghost rarely tries to harm anyone, but its actions can still terrify or puzzle people. Such stories remind us about the strong connection between the past and present.

15. Not all ghost stories are dark. Some are about friendly spirits or even guardian angels who want to protect and guide the living. For example, a grandmother’s spirit may return with a gentle message to her grandchildren, bringing comfort during difficult times. Some people dream of finding hope before an important exam, feeling as if a loved one is by their side. Sometimes, rather than feeling terrified, people sense a sense of peace and connection with the past when a familiar perfume or flower scent appears unexpectedly. These experiences remind us that kind spirits and guardian angels can bring hope and comfort, helping us face life’s challenges.

16. Some of the most frightening phantoms in Thai legends are vengeful spirits, like Mae Nak. In this famous legend, Mae Nak died during childbirth, but her spirit stayed because she loved her husband. She lived as a ghost, hiding the truth, and anyone who tried to whisper the secret faced her curse. When people tried to help, Mae Nak would terrify or even harm them to protect her secret. Monks used kind messages to calm her, showing her story is a strong warning about love, betrayal, and revenge in Thai culture.

17. Throughout history, people have tried different ways to contact spirits and receive a message from those who have died. Some ask a medium to guide the conversation between the living and the dead. Others use the famous Ouija board, hoping to hear mysterious whispers or connect with a friendly or vengeful phantom. In the early 1900s, Thomas Edison dreamed of inventing a "spirit phone" to make contact safer and avoid a curse or harm. While the spirit phone never worked, people still search for comfort and hope from the unknown world beyond.

18. Scientists say there is no proof ghosts exist. Strange sounds could be wind, and shadows may only be light tricks. Sometimes, when people are very tired, they see or hear things that are not real. Fear can make the brain imagine things. But others argue that experiences are too common to be ignored. Around the world, thousands say they saw phantoms that could not be explained. Science may not agree, but the human love of mystery keeps the stories alive.

19. Why do people love ghost stories? Perhaps it is because the unknown is exciting. The idea of mystical worlds beyond our own makes life feel magical. Ghosts bring both fear and hope—they remind us of death but also of family, memory, and love. For many teens, ghost stories are a way to feel connected, sitting together in the dark, listening to a friend’s scary tale. Whether real or only imagination, ghosts remain a powerful part of human culture.