Vocabulary Idioms & Phrases Reading~ Paragraphs 5-9 Post-reading

Listen to paragraphs 5-9. Skip

Indicate G (Good Luck) or B (Bad Luck) for the following expressions. B 1. sneeze2. see a black cat 3. knock on wood4. hiccup 5. carry a rabbit's foot 6. break a mirror 7. hear a dog howl 8. hang a horseshoe on the door 9. throw salt over the shoulder B B B B G G G G

Reading

Think of the many superstitions and customs that relate just to marriage: think of : imagine Just imagine yourself (to be) left alone in a jungle. Just think of his cast-away life on the island! Think of the many superstitions and customs that relate just to marriage: Just imagine the many superstitions below about marriage:

A bridegroom carries his bride across the threshold. Carrying the Bride Across the threshold This customs originated in Rome. The bride used to be held by the bridegroom across the threshold into the bridal chamber. A legend has it that the bride was carried over the threshold to protect her from any evil spirits lingering there.

A bride wears something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue The old is to represent a brides connection to her past; the new shows her hope for the future; and the borrowed means friendship. The blue represents purity, love, and fidelity.

The bridegroom should not see the bride before the ceremony. The bride and groom cut the first slice from the wedding cake. the wedding cake The wedding cake originated in early Rome, symbolizing hope for a fertile and fulfilling life. Everyone eats from it, not only as a sign of union and but as a way of blessing to the newly- married couple.

The woman who catches the brides bouquet will be the next oneto get married. the bride's bouquet the bridal flowers

These are just a few of the many customs and superstitions for one event. for : concerning ; about These are just a few of the many customs and superstitions for one event. These are only some of the many customs and superstitions for marriage.

Now, are you superstitious? Do you have a rabbit's foot in your pocket for luck? have a rabbit's foot in your pocket for luck lose a rabbit's foot

How about the black cat that crossed your path? How about the black cat that crossed your path? Have you ever considered the black cat that you met by chance? Has it caused a lot of bad luck? Next

Black cat The black cat has been thought of as a mysterious creature. It was believed that witches could transform themselves into cats and could make that change nine times.

Maybe youve already had four years of bad luck because of a mirror you broke. because of a mirror you broke owing to a mirror which you broke Next

Broken mirrors Breaking a mirror brings bad luck for seven years. It was believed that our reflection was a representation of our souls. Breaking the reflection is breaking the soul. If we break a mirror, we had better take the broken mirror out of the house and do not gaze into it.

(Take heart! Take heart! = Cheer up! = Don't lose heart! = Don't be pessimistic! = Be optimistic! = Be positive! take heart from NP. I took heart from my homeroom teacher's praise. take heart take sth to heart If you take my word to heart, you will make it. take sb/sth to one's heart He is such a motor&-mouth. Why does she take him to her heart?

The superstition says the total is seven years of bad luck, so you have only three more to go.) you have only three more to go you have only three more years remaining to end your bad luck There are only two days to go to Halloween. I took three exams and have three more to go. Take heart! Only another ten kilometers to go. Two fried rices to go.

On the other hand, if you were born on a Sunday, you're supposed to have good luck all your life. on the other hand, be supposed to may = be allowed to should= be required to must = be thought to If you are Chinese, you are not supposed to plant mulberries in your yard. You are not supposed to hang your clothes out at night, especially in the ghost month. Next

On the other hand, if you were born on a Sunday, you're supposed to have good luck all your life. On the other hand, if you were born in a Sunday, you're supposed to have good luck all your life. Quite the opposite. If you were born on a given Sunday, it is generally believed that you will have good luck for life.

Do you know why people knock on wood or try to find a four-leaf clover? Knock on wood To knock on wood is a superstition action to prevent any evil consequences, especially when one is boasting of his luck; it is also a charm to bring luck. Next

Do you know why people knock on wood or try to find a four-leaf clover? A four-leaf clover According to legend, Eve carried a four leaf clover from the Garden of Eden. The four leaf clover is a universally accepted symbol of good luck. It has been considered the blessings for fame, wealth, love and health.

Why do people worry when a dog howls? People worry when a dog howls. The dog is said to be able to see spirits and sense if death is near, probably because that the dog can sense chemical changes in the air, and the human body undergoes such changes when close to death. Therefore, to hear a dog howling has long been considered to be a death omen.

undo bad luck by throwing some salt over your left shoulder get rid of bad luck by tossing a pinch of salt over your left shoulder Can you really undo bad luck by throwing some salt over your left shoulder? Next

Spilling salt People believe that "Spilling salt is bad luck. You can reverse the bad luck by throwing salt over your left shoulder because an evil spirit was believed to stand behind you to your left. The salt thrown would get in his eyes and scare him off!"

Each of these superstitions has a story behind it. More often than not, the origin of the story has been lost. However, if we study closely, we find that superstitions and beliefs are mostly found in situations where there is uncertainty about the future, or during times of personal crisis when events seem to be beyond human control. One person's belief can be another person's superstition. Back

Reading for Main Ideas 1. According to the reading, what affects our daily lives? Customs and superstitions.

Reading for Main Ideas 2. Where do customs and superstitions come from? Peoples fears and beliefs.

Reading for Main Ideas 3. Why does a person carry a rabbit's foot or knock on wood? For good luck.

Discussion 1: Quite a few superstitions and customs are related to the Chinese Ghost Festival and America's Halloween. Can you make a comparison of the two?

Reference answer: Ghost Festival falls on the seventh lunar month while Halloween customs are observed on October 31. 1

Reference answer: Chinese people have traditionally believed that the souls of the deceased roam everywhere about the world during the seventh lunar month. Some of the ghosts who can't find their way home may try to cause mischief among the living. 2

Reference answer: In order to avoid disturbance and calm the vengeful anger of the ghosts, on the 15 th day of Ghost Month mortals offer sacrifices to feed the hungry ghosts. This is called the Chung Yuan Festival. 2

Reference answer: Western people have traditionally believed November 1 is the time when ghosts and spirits would rise out of their graves and wander the countryside. Frightened villagers would try to appease these wandering spirits by 3

Reference answer: offering them gifts of fruits. This is the origin of the present day trick-and-treat. 3

Reference answer: The jack-o-lantern is the festival light for Halloween and is the ancient symbol of a damned soul. Pumpkins are cut with faces representing devils and intended to frighten away evil spirits. 4

Discussion 2: The fear of the number thirteen is so common in the U.S. and Europe. Can you find some fun stories for the number 13 or any other number?

Reference answer: The number 7 is thought to be particularly lucky by gamblers. The origin may lie far back in Christian tradition. For example, the world was made in seven days, and there are seven graces. The number 8 is considered lucky in Japan and Hong Kong. In

Reference answer: China, businesses often open on August 8 (8-8), and many couples register to get married at eight past eight on August 8. Back