1. 初中进阶 (2288 期 20151106) 45 版 Why is 13 an unlucky number?

2. Pre-reading 1. What is superstition? What are Westerners superstitious about? Superstition is a belief that certain events cannot be explained by human reason or physical laws.

3. Pre-reading 2. Is there a lucky or unlucky number in the Western tradition? Why do you think 13 is regarded as an unlucky number?

4. While-reading Choose the best answer. 1. The number 13 is an unlucky number in some Western countries, so ________. A. many hotels don’t have 13 rooms B. Westerners don’t like Friday the 13th C. there should be 13 guests at a table D. don’t be the 13th person to a party B

5. While-reading Choose the best answer. 2. In both Christian culture and Norse legend, it is unlucky to ________. A. dine with people who have no religion B. show up at a dinner party too late C. bring nothing to a dinner party D. have 13 people at a dinner party D

6. While-reading Choose the best answer. 3. Most Americans are ________ the number 13. A. open-minded about B. worried about C. indifferent to D. interested in A

7. While-reading Choose the best answer. 4. The article is probably from ________. A. a math textbook B. the Bible C. an encyclopedia D. a history book C

8. Language study Find a word in the article that best matches each definition. The first letter has been given. 1. a________: frightened because you think that you might be hurt 2. b________: to hurt sb. who trusts you, especially by not being loyal or faithful to them 3. c________: to think of sb. or sth. in a particular way 4. l________: a story from ancient times about people and events, that may or may not be true 5. s________: look like sb. or sth. but not exactly the same fraid etray onsider egend imilar

9. Sentence structure It’s said that Judas sat at the 13th place at the table. 本句为主语从句， it 作形式主语，真正的主语是 that 从句，意为 “ 据说 ……” 。有相似结构的还有： It is believed/reported/expected/estimated that …

10. Sentence structure Translate the following sentences. 1. 据说，狗与主人靠眼神交流。 2. 据报道，此次飞机失事与恐怖袭击有关。 3. 据估计，大约有三万五千人报名参加了这次马 拉松比赛。 It is said that dogs and their owners communicate with eye contact. It was reported that the air crash was related to terrorist attack. It was estimated that about 35,000 people entered for the marathon competition.

11. After reading Which one is an unlucky number in Chinese tradition? Why? Find out more about the story of an unlucky number and write a brief report.