THE TEN STEPS

Reflection Question

What common horror movie clichés can you identify in the story of "The Ten Steps", such as the setting, characters, or events?

Examples of horror movie clichés:

Isolated or abandoned locations (old houses, basements, attics)
Characters investigating strange noises alone
Creepy children or dolls
Flickering lights or power outages
The "curiosity kills" trope (characters doing things they shouldn't)
Supernatural entities or unexplained phenomena
The "safe space" that turns out not to be safe
Escalating tension through repetitive actions (counting, rituals)

Your Emotional Response

What does the dark house make you feel?

Fear and anxiety Curiosity and intrigue A sense of dread or foreboding Unease and discomfort Suspense and anticipation Helplessness or vulnerability Excitement and adrenaline

Story Comprehension

Who is Katie afraid of in the story?

Her father Her mother Her brother The dark

Story Details

What do people say about the cellar?

It's haunted by ghosts It's forbidden to enter There are only ten steps down It's just used for storage

Personal Reflection

Imagine you find a secret door in your house like Katie's cellar door—what would you do next?

Open it immediately to see what's inside Tell someone else first before opening it Investigate carefully with a flashlight and something for protection Leave it alone and pretend I never found it Call a professional to check it out first

Descriptive Writing

How would you describe the atmosphere of the house to a friend who has not seen the video?

Symbolic Interpretation

What do you think the counting of the steps means in the story?

#	Meaning
1	A way to maintain control and calm in a frightening situation
2	A ritual or rule that must be followed to stay safe
3	A countdown to something terrible happening
4	A way to hold onto reality when things become supernatural
5	The limitation of how far you can go before crossing a dangerous boundary
6	A mark of past tragedies tied to the house's history
7	Superstition or a family's secret rule passed down
8	A symbolic barrier that protects or imprisons
9	An omen signaling an approaching climax or revelation
10	The final threshold — crossing it changes everything

A way to maintain control and calm in a frightening situation A ritual or rule that must be followed to stay safe A countdown to something terrible happening A way to hold onto reality when things become supernatural The limitation of how far you can go before crossing a dangerous boundary

Interpretation of the Ending

What is the most plausible interpretation of the ending?

It confirms a supernatural presence tied to the house. It's a psychological breakdown — the events are in the character's mind. It's metaphorical, representing a transition or coming-of-age. It's intentionally ambiguous to leave viewers unsettled and guessing.

Your Theory

Offer your own brief theory about the ending. What happened and why?