ALIVE 8 | PART 1 | UNIT 2 Superstitions around the world 1. Are you superstitious? Complete the following superstitions with the correct form of the verbs in parenthesis. a) Bees Bees bring news and must be told of any death. If bees buzz (buzz) before the first of spring it means more cold weather to come. If they stay (stay) in their hive it means (mean) rain. b) Bridges If you __________ (make) a wish whilst crossing a bridge your wish __________ (be granted) within a year. It’s also considered good luck if you happen to be walking under a bridge when a train __________ (pass) overhead, more so if the whistle blows. c) Brooms If you __________ (sweep) a broom under someone’s feet, that person __________ (have) bad luck for a year. Keep a broom behind the door to sweep witches away. If a child __________ (start) to sweep you can expect visitors and never step over a fallen broom – pick it up. d) Coins It’s considered lucky to carry a coin bearing the year of your birth. The Scot’s believe if you __________ (put) a coin in each shoe on New Year’s Day, you __________ (have) money all year. e) Hands If the left palm __________ (itch) you __________ (receive) money, if your right hand itches it’s time to pay out money. Another superstition says that when two people __________ (share) the same basin to wash their hands they __________ (have) a quarrel before the day is out. f) Stars If you __________ (wish) upon a star your wish __________ (come) true. A shooting star brings good luck. Available at: <http://www.astronumbers.com.au/superstitions.pdf>. Accessed on: Aug. 3, 2012. Dibrova/Shutterstock/ID/BR Terekhov Igor/Shutterstock/ID/BR Serg Dibrova/Shutterstock/ID/BR Push3105/Shutterstock/ID/BR Rangizzz/Shutterstock/ID/BR Loradora/Shutterstock/ID/BR