Superstitions..

Discussion:

1. Are you a superstitious person? What things are you superstitious about?

2. Do you think luck plays a part in your life?

3. What’s your lucky number?

4. Do you know your star sign? What does it say about you?

5. Do you read your horoscope? How does it help you?

6. Do you carry anything which is meant to bring you luck?

7. Can people predict the future? Have you ever had a feeling about the future that turned out to be true?

8. Have you ever visited a fortune teller? What did you learn?

9. Have you experienced the feeling of déjà vu? How do you explain this strange feeling?

10. Do you often dream while you sleep? Do dreams have meaning in real life?

11. If you could have one superhuman ability, like flying or invisibility, which ability would you choose to have? How would you use your power?

Idioms:

You've got your father's permission to go to the concert. Don't push your luck by trying to borrow his car.

'Is the offer still open?' 'Sorry, that ship has sailed - you missed your chance!'

He sold his shares at a good time so he's now sitting pretty and enjoying life.

I think she struck gold this time in her new job. It suits her perfectly.

T he History of Superstitions

The number 13 is very unlucky. This is true in many countries. But why? One suggestion is that 12 was a lucky number in ancient times so 13 is unlucky.

Another suggestion is that at the Last Supper there were 12 apostles and Jesus.

Friday 13 is a very unlucky day. This is because a lot of bad things such as the death of Jesus happened on a Friday. Some countries do not have a 13^th floor!

Breaking a mirror brings 7 years of bad luck. The Romans believed the reflection in a mirror was a picture of a person’s spirit. As a result it was very bad luck to break one.

Spilling salt is also very unlucky. This is because salt was very valuable in the past. At the time of the Roman Empire soldiers received salt instead of money. This is the origin of the word “salary”. Salt was also used as a medicine. If you spill salt, you must throw it over your left shoulder so that you don’t become ill.

In Britain, it is good luck if a black cat crosses in front of you. This is because in ancient Egypt the cat was sacred. Many people believe that cats have nine lives.

Horseshoes are also lucky. Witches are afraid of horses and a horseshoe on the door protects the people inside. A horseshoe is also the shape of the crescent moon which brings good luck. Today you often find small silver horseshoes on wedding cakes.

Finally, touching wood is good luck and comes from the time when the Celts believed that gods lived in trees.

V ocabulary:

the Last Supper - Тайная вечеря

Jesus - Иисус

the Romans - римляне

person’s spirit – душа человека

spilling salt – просыпать соль

valuable - ценный

soldiers - солдаты

salary - зарплата

sacred - священный

horseshoe - подкова

witch - ведьма

crescent moon - полумесяц

touching wood – постучать по дереву

1. Why is number 13 very unlucky?

2. Why is Friday 13^th a very unlucky day?

3. W

   What about you? Are you afraid of something? Do you believe in superstitions? Give examples from your life.

   hat does breaking a mirror bring?

4. What is the origin of the word “salary”?

5. What are the superstitions about cats?

6. What are witches afraid of?

7. What can you find on a wedding cake?

8. Why is touching wood good luck?

9. Which British superstitions are similar to those in your country? Which are different?

Superstitions

• Complete with the correct consequence for each superstition:

• a man will come to visit you.

• you will have good luck all year.

• seven years of bad luck will follow.

• you will make a trip.

• a woman will come to visit you.

• they will never marry.

• a death will occur.

• Number the pictures according to

the superstitions above:

Running Dictation

- If you find a four-leaf clover,

you will have good luck.

- If you see a horseshoe which was lost,

you will have good luck.

-If you throw salt over your left shoulder,

this will bring you good luck.

- If you see a black cat which walks towards you,

it brings you good luck.

- If you step on your shadow,

it brings you good luck.

- If you catch a falling leaf on the first day of autumn,

you will have good luck all winter.

- If the first butterfly you see in the year is white,

it brings you good luck all year.

- If you open an umbrella indoors,

it brings you bad luck.

- If you sleep with your feet towards the door,

a nightwalker will steal your soul.

- When a cat sneezes three times indoors,

it will rain in 24 hours.

-If you put a pair of new shoes on a table,

you will have bad luck.

- If the 13^th day of the month falls on Friday,

it will be a very bad day.

- If you walk under a ladder,

you will have bad luck.

Crocodile