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Unit 4: Predictions | Vocabulary | B1
EXERCISE 1 | Horoscopes
Astrology is just one of the many ways which people use to try to find out what is going to happen in the future. Can you match the signs of the zodiac with their Latin names?
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Cancer _______________ Sagittarius _______________ Capricorn _______________ Aquarius _______________ Pisces _______________ Aries _______________ |
Leo _______________ Taurus _______________ Gemini _______________ Scorpio _______________ Libra _______________ Virgo_______________ |
EXERCISE 2
If you believe that certain things are signs of bad luck and that others are signs of good luck, you are said to be superstitious.
Some superstitions involve everyday incidents. Do you know whether the following are considered omens of good or bad luck? Tick the right column.
| good luck | bad luck | |
| walking under a ladder | ||
| finding a penny | ||
| opening an umbrella in the house | ||
| putting new shoes on the table | ||
| hanging a horseshoe in your house | ||
| breaking a mirror | ||
| seeing a black cat crossing your path | ||
| a four-leaf clover |
Can you think of any more superstitions? Do you think they should be taken seriously?
EXERCISE 3
The following are expressions connected with luck. Can you match the expression with the situation in which it is used?
| 1. Break a leg! | A. When someone is going to take an exam, go to an interview, start a new job, etc. |
| 2. Beginner's luck. | B. In the theatre, actors say this to one another to bring good luck. |
| 3. Best of luck. | C. When you have narrowly avoided misfortune |
| 4. Better luck next time. | D. When someone fails a test or exam |
| 5. A lucky escape. | E. When someone wins at a game, and has never played the game before |
EXERCISE 4 | Ways of predicting the future
Match the method with its definition:
1 Palmistry 2 Astrology 3 Graphology 4 Tarot
A. The study of handwriting which claims to be able to reveal secrets about the person's life and/or personality
B. Predicting the future by studying the movements of the stars and planets
C. Revealing secrets about an individual's past, present and future by means of a set of special cards
D. Using the lines on the palm of the hand to predict future events
EXERCISE 5
Match the following to make expressions connected with prediction:
| 1. to wish | A. in fate |
| 2. to believe | B. tea leaves |
| 3. to predict | C. a crystal ball |
| 4. to read | D. the future |
| 5. to gaze into | E. someone good luck |
EXERCISE 6
Now match the following with their opposites:
| 1. good luck | A. logic |
| 2. belief | B. misfortune |
| 3. lucky | C. disbelief |
| 4. superstition | D. unlucky |
EXERCISE 7
Fill the gaps in the following sentences with the correct word:
fortune chance bargain opportunity luck
1. By __________, I had my camera with me at the time of the accident.
2. I hope I have the ___________ to meet your parents over the weekend.
3. They say you'll have bad ___________ for seven years if you break a mirror.
4. He worked hard at his career and fame and ___________ seemed to follow him wherever he went.
5. At these low prices, everything's a ____________.
EXERCISE 8 | QUIZ - How superstitious are you?
Do this simple quiz to find out whether you depend on logic or superstition to get you through life!
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1. Do you ever have your coffee grounds or tea leaves read? A. never B. sometimes C. often |
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2. Do you read your horoscope? A. never B. sometimes C. often |
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3. Do you have a 'lucky charm', i.e. something you carry around with you or wear to bring you good luck? A. yes B. no |
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4. Do you ever wish others 'Good Luck'? A. never B. sometimes C. often |
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5 Do you have, or do you believe you have, a lucky number? A. yes B. no |
When you have answered the questions, add up your score using this simple points system:
| never | no | sometimes | often | yes |
| 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Conclusions
0-5: You are a true sceptic! Your feet are firmly on the ground and you don’t wait for luck to come to you; you go out and get it for yourself!
6-11: You are quite superstitious, but you have a logical head on your shoulders.
12-15: You are extremely superstitious. Look out for those ladders!