1 Read the text and for items 1-10, choose the correct answer.

Every year on 1st and 2nd November, Mexicans celebrate Dia de los Muertos or ‘The ’. It is a special day 1) focused/ dedicated to celebrating the lives of family members or friends who have passed away. People believe that on Dia de los Muertos, the spirits of their deceased family members and friends can return to the 2) true/real world and visit them. Even though it sounds like a sad day, Dia de los Muertos is a big happy celebration. There are various traditions associated with this holiday such as the ofrenda, skulls and pan de muerto. Ofrenda Sugar Skulls For Dia de los Sugar skulls are a special type of art or decoration that is Muertos, most common for Dia de los Muertos. Sugar, water and other families prepare 6) recipes/ingredients are used to make a white skull an altar in shape. Then brightly-coloured icing and shiny foil is used their homes, to decorate the skulls. Some skulls have a name written to honour the on them to honour a certain person. The sugar skull may dead, called an ofrenda. The ofrenda is be decorated for someone who has died and placed on an ofrenda or it may be given a table with a tablecloth on top. On the as a gift to someone who is still alive. Usually, sugar skulls are not meant to be eaten. ofrenda, people place photographs of However, you can buy types of sugar skull that are 7) safe/secure to eat. In fact, their deceased family members and a it is 8) ordinary/common to find ones made from chocolate or biscuit and then few of their personal possessions. They decorated with colourful icing. may also 3) design/decorate the table with orange marigold flowers, paper Pan de Muerto decorations, candles and sugar skulls. Pan de muerto is a type of sweet made especially Then, at the front of the table, they place for Dia de los Muertos. It is made with orange and food and drinks. Typical foods include aniseed spice and then covered with a sweet glaze or traditional Mexican 4) dishes/menus sugar 9) filling/topping. The pan de muerto is round and pan de muerto. The purpose of the with shapes on top to look like bones. At a Dia de los ofrenda is to 5) greet/welcome the Muertos celebration, people cut up the pan de muerto into spirits into the home and to invite them to 10) loaves/pieces and they eat it with a drink such as hot chocolate. Some people join in with the celebrations. even like to dip the pan de muerto into their drink!

2 Do the crossword. Across 1 2 3 A drink that often accompanies pan de muerto. 3 5 A spice used to make pan de muerto. 4 6 Something that can be written on a sugar skull. 5 6 7 An altar set up in someone’s home to honour the dead. Down 1 The month when Dia de los Muertos takes place. 7 2 Something brightly-coloured used to decorate sugar skulls. 4 A type of flower used to decorate the altar.

3 ICT In groups, research more Dia de los Muertos traditions and present them to the class. © Express Publishing PRINTABLE