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March 15, 2017

Where do superstitions come from?

Are you afraid of black cats? Would you open an umbrella indoors? How do you feel about the number 13? Whether or not you believe in them, you’re probably familiar with a few of these superstitions. But where did they come from?
Stuart Vyse shares the weird and specific origins of some of our favorite superstitions.



WARM-UP
·         Are you afraid of black cats?
·         Would you open an umbrella indoors?
·         How do you feel about the number 13?
VOCABULARY
a.   To knock on wood
b.   To step on sidewalk cracks
c.   walk under ladders
d.   to skip: to avoid doing or having something. It’s not a good idea to skip breakfast. She’s been skipping lessons all year.
e.   pagan: relating to an ancient religion that had many gods and praised nature. pagan temples devoted to the Greek and Roman gods.
f.    to fade away: to become less famous or less important: After one hit record he rapidly faded into obscurity.
g.   radio headset
h.   whistle
i.    absent-minded
j.    bias: a special interest or ability in a particular thing, or a particular tendency. bias towards: a French course with a bias towards the spoken language
1 Many common superstitions come from history of:
A.    Business
B.     Religion
C.     Medicine
D.    Sport
2 Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of:
A.    Tree snakes
B.     The number 4
C.     The number 13
D.    The number 17
3 The belief that knocking on wood brings good luck is thought to stem from the:
A.    Ancient Indo-Europeans
B.     Medieval Christians
C.     Ancient Africans
D.    Ancient Chinese
 4 Which of the following superstitions was once good advice?
A.    Avoid the number 13
B.     Don’t step on a crack
C.     Don’t cross a black cat’s path
D.    Don’t whistle in the theater
5 What is not a reason people believe in superstitions?
A.    Because they grew up hearing about superstitions
B.     Because superstitions give them a sense of control
C.     Because superstitions often appear to work
D.    Because superstitions really do work

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