I'm not sure specifically which five stories are in this test. But generally, for such ELA state tests, the stories are likely to cover a variety of themes such as friendship, family, growing up, and cultural differences. They are used to test students' reading comprehension, ability to analyze literary elements like characters, plot, and setting, as well as their understanding of different writing styles.
One interesting story could be about inmates who form unique bonds through art programs in New York State prisons. They create beautiful works of art that not only express their emotions but also give them a sense of purpose. Another might be the tales of inmates who study and earn degrees while incarcerated, showing their determination to better themselves despite their circumstances.
One famous Queens New York ghost story is about the old abandoned asylum. People claim to see shadowy figures in the hallways at night. It's said that patients who suffered there long ago still haunt the place.
Another Oneonta New York ghost story involves an old tavern. It was said that a brawl took place there many years ago and a man was killed. Ever since, employees and customers alike have reported strange happenings. Glasses move on their own, and sometimes there are unexplained cold spots in the building. Some believe it's the ghost of the murdered man still lingering in the place where he met his untimely end.
One well - known ghost story in Oneonta, New York involves the old abandoned asylum on the outskirts of town. Locals claim to have seen strange lights and heard eerie moans coming from it at night. Some believe it's haunted by the former patients who suffered there.
One famous New York ghost story is about the Merchant's House Museum. It's said that the ghost of Gertrude Tredwell haunts the place. She lived there in the 19th century and now people claim to see her figure in Victorian - style clothing. Another is the story of the Dakota Apartments where John Lennon was assassinated. Some believe his spirit lingers there.
Yes, they can be. Since they are published in the New York Times, they are likely well - written and able to build up a sense of dread. The use of real - life settings in New York makes it more relatable and thus scarier.
The scariest might be the phantom conductor. The idea of seeing a figure in an old - fashioned uniform on an empty train is really creepy. It gives the feeling that something from the past is still lingering in the present - day subway. Another scary one is the ghost train. Imagining getting on a train full of apparitions from another time is terrifying.
The most famous might be the one related to the Merchant's House Museum. Gertrude Tredwell's ghost is said to be very active. For example, objects sometimes move on their own, and there are cold spots in the house that can't be explained easily.
Yes, there could be a kernel of truth in some. Take the story of the haunted theaters in New York. In the past, there have been accidents and even deaths during rehearsals or shows. These real - life tragedies might have given birth to the ghost stories associated with those theaters. But then, our minds can also play tricks on us, and we might misinterpret normal noises or shadows as ghosts.