Reading: An article Superstitions?

Objectives

• read an article about superstitions.
• learn adjective opposites.
• talk about superstitions in my country.

Read about Superstitions? Who needs them!

Superstitions have been around for thousands of years. A lot of people never walk under ladders or they believe that black cats bring good (or bad) luck. Some people think one magpie is bad luck but two together is good luck, Other superstitions are more modern, like football players who don’t change their socks or who always enter the pitch with their right foot. Lots of people, however, believe strongly that superstitions are silly. They say that superstitions are based on old habits, customs or beliefs. How could you have bad luck by opening an umbrella inside? Why is the number thirteen more dangerous than other numbers? To prove their point, they have ‘Anti-Superstition Parties’, usually

on Friday the thirteenth, a date that many people think brings bad luck. At these parties, people break mirrors and dance with open umbrellas. And nothing bad happens! Peter Moore, a dentist, has been to several anti- superstition parties. He says, ‘People must be crazy to believe that the number seven is lucky or that they could be more successful by putting a horseshoe outside their house.’ Chelsea Evans, a chef, agrees, ‘I love the parties, !’ve broken lots of mirrors and my life is going well!’

FACT! Fear of the number 1:3 is called Triskaidekaphobia and fear of Friday the Thirteenth is called Friggatriskaidekaphobia.