Read the rhyme

Read the dictionary entry. How is it related to the rhyme and the pictures?
shooting star
rainbow
spider
ladybirds
white butterfly
full moon
The dictionary entry is related to the rhyme and pictures because the pictures are examples of the word ‘superstition’ and the rhyme describes a particular superstition.

Read the superstitions below. Are there similar superstitions in your country?
Seeing a shooting star is very good luck.
Killing a spider is bad luck.
If a ladybird lands on your hand it is good luck.
Seeing a rainbow when it isn’t raining is very good luck.

Read statements A-E about attitudes towards superstition and luck. Which do you agree with the most? Say why.
A. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
B. Superstitions are an important part of my culture.
C. You make your own luck.
D. Superstitions have no place in the modern world.
E. Superstitions are just a bit of fun.
Speaker
Comment
1
2
3
4
5
C
A
D
E
B
I agree most with statements A and C. I think it is better to be safe than sorry because it’s better for someone to be careful rather than do something risky they may regret later on. I also agree that you make your own luck because our lives are usually what we make of them. If you work hard and have a positive attitude in life, then it is more likely that good things will happen to you.
Speaker 1
Speaker 2
Speaker 3
Speaker 4
Speaker 5

Read the exchanges and complete the table.
Now lets translate!
Не беспокойся. Всё будет хорошо!
Don’t worry. Everything will be alright.
Что-то не так?
Is there something wrong?
Я немного переживаю.
I’m a bit worried.
Что случилось?
What’s the matter?
Что-то беспокоит тебя?
Is there anything worrying/troubling you?
Не стоит переживать об этом. Тебе следует ….
There’s nothing to worry/be anxious about. You should ….

Read the exchanges and complete the table.
1. tomorrow’s exam – Friday 13th (study hard)
Is there something on your mind?
Yes, I’m a bit worried about tomorrow’s exam as it’s on Friday 13th.
Don’t worry about that. I’m sure that if you study hard then you’ll be fine.

Read the exchanges and complete the table.
2. taking the boat out tonight – full moon (take care)
What’s the matter?
I’m taking the boat out tonight and I’m a bit anxious because there’s going to be a full moon.
I’m sure that if you take care then there will be nothing to worry about.

Read the exchanges and complete the table.
3. Broken a mirror – 7 years’ bad luck (think rationally)
Are you alright?
I’m really worried as I’ve broken a mirror. Perhaps I’ll have seven years’ bad luck!
Don’t worry. Everything will be fine if you think rationally. It’s a superstition.

Read the exchanges and complete the table.
4. walked under a ladder – something bad will happen (pay less attention to old wives’ tales)
Is there anything troubling you?
Yes. I walked under a ladder and I’m worried that now something bad will happen to me.
There’s nothing to worry about. You should pay less attention to old wives’ tales.

Read the sentences (1-4). Which: express worry? express concern? reasure?
Oh, no, I can’t believe it.
worry
What’s the matter?
concern
Oh, no, I can’t believe it.
worry
I’m really worried about it.
worry

The sentences have been taken from a dialogue between two friends. What’s the dialogue about? Listen and read to check.
Oh, no, I can’t believe it.
What’s the matter?
Oh, no, I can’t believe it.
I’m really worried about it.
The dialogue is about two friends talking about superstitions.
Script

Read the dialogue and complete the sentences 1-5.
Lucy is worried because ……
5. Lucy has taken part in ……
2. Lucy believes it’s bad luck to ……
3. Jane doesn’t believe ……
4. Lucy gets a phone call from ……

List the superstitions mentioned in the dialogue. Do they bring good or bad luck?
killing a spider
keeping a lucky charm
walking under ladders
bad luck
bad luck
good luck

In pairs read out the dialogue. Give it a title.
“Along Came A Spider”

Listen to the exclamations and mark the stressed syllables. What are these sentences in your language?
That’s a load of rubbish!
What a coincidence!
That’s not the point!
You lucky thing!
Lucky for us!
Полная чушь!
Какое совпадение!
Дело не в этом!
Тебе повезло!
К счастью для нас!

React to the comments below with an exclamation from Ex. 8a. Pay attention to the intonation.
That’s a load of rubbish!
What a coincidence!
That’s not the point!
You lucky thing!
Lucky for us!
“Isn’t it great we’ve got a day off school tomorrow?”
“Don’t worry. It was just a black cat.”
“I’ve just won £100 in a competition.”
“Oh, no! I broke a mirror. Now I’ll have 7 years’ bad luck!”
“I found a four leaf clover and later I found £10 in the street.”

Choose the correct response. Listen and check.
Good luck for tomorrow!
A. You’re welcome!
B. Thanks, I’ll need it!

Choose the correct response. Listen and check.
We didn’t win the match.
A. Better luck next time.
B. Lucky for some.

Choose the correct response. Listen and check.
I’m going on holiday next week.
A. Lucky you!
B. Best of luck.

Discuss most popular superstitions in your family with your partner.
To spill salt
A black cat crossing the street
To whistle in the house

Think of the most popular superstitions in your country. Discuss them with your partner. Report to the class.

Workbook
Find the word missing from each sentence in the grid.

Complete the sentences with the words from the grid.

Listen to five people talking about luck. Match the sentences
(A-E) to the speakers (1-5).
Speaker 1
Speaker 2
Speaker 3
Speaker 4
Speaker 5
E
D
B
A
C

Choose the correct response.
A: Don’t get a black cat, they bring bad luck!
B:
a. That’s a load of rubbish!
b. Thanks, I’ll need it!
A: My friend and I were born on the same day, and at exactly the same time.
B:
a. That can’t be!
b. What a coincidence!
A: I’ve failed my driving test again.
B:
a. Best of luck.
b. Better luck next time.
A: You can’t get married on Friday 13th; it’s bad luck!
B:
a. That’s just an old wives’ tale!
b. That’s not the point!
A: I’ve been feeling a bit anxious lately.
B:
a. Is there something on your mind?
b. Why don’t you think more rationally?