Worldwide superstitions
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Writing on the wall
Superstitions exist everywhere in the world. Every country on the planet has its own local superstitions. Each country also has its own variations on common superstitions. Some of the most common superstitions have to do with cats, alcohol, and death.
Superstitions exist everywhere in the world. Every country on the planet has its own local superstitions. Each country also has its own variations on common superstitions. Some of the most common superstitions have to do with cats, alcohol, and death.
Cats have been domesticated longer than any other animal. Humans
have even worshiped them; therefore, it makes sense that there are
innumerable superstitions
worldwide involving them. In the United States, there is a belief that
if a black cat crosses your path, you will have bad luck. In Germany,
whomever harms or kills a cat shall meet with great misfortune. In France, there is a superstition
that it is bad luck to cross a stream carrying a cat. In the Ukraine,
it is believed that if you give a cat gin before sundown you will have
much misfortune.
Alcohol is considered to be the bane of society by many people
worldwide. Having existed for thousands of years, alcohol has many
superstitions associated with it. In the Czeck republic, it is
considered bad luck to serve alcohol on Christmas. In the US, it is
considered bad luck to not serve alcohol on Christmas. In Germany, it is
believed to be good luck to drink three or more drinks with the groom
immediately before the wedding. In Poland, they believe that if one
consumes alcohol before noon, one will die young.
Death is the one thing feared most by humans. They attempt to
justify death by creating superstitions. Many of these superstitions
have to do with agriculture. In China, it is believed that when a
farmer’s child dies on a harvest moon, there will be an excellent crop
the next year much like in “The Lottery”; death leads to a good harvest.
In Brazil, it is believed that when a farmer dies during harvest, his
crop will carry no value.
Around the world, there are many reappearing themes for
superstition. Some of these themes are cats, alcohol, and death. Every
country has its own localized take on each theme.
("Superstition." 123HelpMe.com. available on 27 Mar 2011 at <http://www.123HelpMe.com/view.asp?id=87707>)
Task 3. Finish these sentences according to the text above:
1. In the Ukraine you will have bad luck ...
2. In China your harvest will be good ...
3. In the United States you will have good luck ...
4. In France you will have bad luck ...
5. In the United States you will have bad luck ...
Match and Complete
Different countries have different traditions and superstitions.
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You can find information about worldwide superstitions at these websites:
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Can you complete the sentences below to find out these superstitions?
Task 4:
Match the actions with the results and write full sentences.
Then press feedback to check your answers.
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