1. Food and superstitions
初中进阶 (2354期 ) 45版

2. Pre-reading
1. What is superstition?
Superstition is a belief people have that is not based on any knowledgeable explanation, but people believe it anyway.

3. 2. Some examples of superstitions
Pre-reading
2. Some examples of superstitions
Black cats, bad luck
If a black cat crosses your path, it is considered bad luck. It is believed that witches could turn themselves into black cats and then cause trouble.

4. Pre-reading Unlucky number 13
As superstitions go, the number 13 is associated with bad luck. That’s why many architects refused to design stairs that ended with 13 steps or buildings that ended with a 13th floor.

5. Pre-reading
Don’t open the umbrella inside, not even to check if it still works
According to superstitions, if you open an umbrella indoors you are literally asking for bad luck to “rain on you.”

6. While reading
True or false
1. If you don’t crush the eggshell after cracking your egg, a witch might gather up those pieces, set sail and cause terrible storms at sea.

7. While reading
True or false
2. If you break an egg and find two yolks, it means someone might visit you soon.

8. While reading
True or false
3. In Chinese culture, a long noodle represents a long life.

9. While reading
True or false
4. According to superstitions, if you make the tea too weak, you will lose the friendship of someone close to you.

10. Language point A. longstanding B. represent C. relate to
Match the word with its description.
A. longstanding
B. represent
C. relate to
D. superstition
E. crack
1. to break something
2. to be a sign or symbol of something
3. a belief which is not based on human reason or scientific knowledge
4. to be connected to
5. having existed for a long time

11. After reading
What other superstitions do you know? Do you believe them?