alive 8 | part 1 | unit 2

Superstitions around the world

1. Are you superstitious? Complete the following superstitions with the correct form of the verbs in parenthesis.

a) Bees

Bees bring news and must be told of any death. If bees buzz (buzz) before the first of spring it means more cold weather to come. If they stay (stay) in their hive it means (mean) rain.

b) Bridges

If you __________ (make) a wish whilst crossing a bridge your wish __________ (be granted) within a year. It’s also considered good luck if you happen to be walking under a bridge when a train __________ (pass) overhead, more so if the whistle blows.

c) BroomsIf you __________ (sweep) a broom under someone’s feet, that person __________ (have) bad luck for a year. Keep a broom behind the door to sweep witches away. If a child __________ (start) to sweep you can expect visitors and never step over a fallen broom – pick it up.

d) Coins

It’s considered lucky to carry a coin bearing the year of your birth. The Scot’s believe if you __________ (put) a coin in each shoe on New Year’s Day, you __________ (have) money all year.

e) Hands

If the left palm __________ (itch) you __________ (receive) money, if your right hand itches it’s time to pay out money. Another superstition says that when two people __________ (share) the same basin to wash their hands they __________ (have) a quarrel before the day is out.

f) Stars

If you __________ (wish) upon a star your wish __________ (come) true. A shooting star brings good luck.

Available at: <http://www.astronumbers.com.au/superstitions.pdf>. Accessed on: Aug. 3, 2012.

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rova

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tter

stoc

k/ID

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Igor

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ibro

va/S

hutt

erst

ock/

ID/B

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Pus

h310

5/S

hutt

erst

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ID/B

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Ran

gizz

z/S

hutt

erst

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ID/B

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Lor

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a/S

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R

alive 8 | part 1 | unit 2

Superstitions around the world

2. Match the columns and learn about superstitions.

a) If you drop a fork, ( ) you will come into some money.

b) If you drop a spoon, ( ) will be followed by a third.

c) If you break a mirror, ( ) a man will come to visit you.

d) If a bird flies into your house, ( ) a death will occur.

e) If you sweep under someone’s feet, ( ) a woman will come to visit you.

f) When your palm itches, ( ) seven years of bad luck will follow.

g) Two deaths in the community ( ) they will never marry.

h) Never say “thank you” when someone gives you a plant or

( ) it will die.

Available at: <http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mtnties/signs.html>.Accessed on: Aug. 3, 2012.

3. Use the verbs given in parentheses to complete the Japanese superstitions.a) If you whistle in the night, a snake will come to you. (come)b) If you __________ your nails at night, you will not be with your parents when they die. (cut)c) If you lie down immediately after eating, you __________ a cow. (become)d) If a funeral car __________ you should hide your thumb. (pass)

Available at: <http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2209.html>.Accessed on: Aug. 3, 2012.

alive 8 | part 1 | unit 2

answers

1. b) make – will be granted – passesc) sweep – will have – startsd) put – will havee) itches – will receive – share – will havef) wish – will come

2. ( f ) you will come into some money. ( g ) will be followed by a third. ( a ) a man will come to visit you. ( d ) a death will occur. ( b ) a woman will come to visit you. ( c ) seven years of bad luck will follow. ( e ) they will never marry. ( h ) it will die.

3. b) cutc) will becomed) passes