Unit 2, Number 4, Test 1.0:03
You will hear six people speaking about beliefs and superstitions.0:09
Listen and match what they say with the statements in your test book.0:15
There is one statement you don't have to use.0:21
Beliefs and superstitions There is an endless supply of superstitions.0:36
Some are next to impossible to explain.0:47
The origin of others is more understandable.0:49
We all know that the number 13 is supposed to bring bad luck.0:53
But what is so terrible about this number?0:56
There are several theories about it.0:59
In the Bible, Christ was said to have been crucified on a Friday and the number of the guests at the last supper was 13.1:02
This is where the fear of Friday 13 may have originated.1:10
The Scandinavians believed that the number 13 was evil due to the fact that their 12 good gods were joined by a 13th evil one.1:15
B superstitions touch on practically every aspect of human culture.1:26
They embrace family life and the lore of farmers, sailors, miners and actors.1:35
If you want to know more about superstitions and beliefs, you can find the required information in the Oxford Dictionary of Superstitions.1:42
The edition also discloses the motives behind seasonal customs at New Year, Halloween and Christmas.1:51
Each entry in it is arranged alphabetically according to its central idea or object and illustrated with a selection of quotations that indicate the history and development of each belief.1:58
There are a lot of superstitions existing in today's society.2:17
They have quite a significant power on us.2:20
Some of them are more common, like seeing a black cat or breaking a mirror.2:23
Other superstitions are rather odd and hard to understand.2:28
Let me give you some examples of unusual ones.2:32
It brings good luck to meet three sheep, to put on your dress inside out and to see the new moon over your right shoulder at the same time.2:35
Bedlark is brought by seeing three butterflies together, looking at the new moon over your left shoulder and fastening a button in the wrong buttonhole.2:44
D A lot of superstitions are connected with theatre and acting.2:56
Generally, it is considered bad luck to wish actors good luck in the theatre in English speaking countries.3:02
The expression break a leg replaces the phrase good luck, which is supposed to be unlucky.3:09
The expression break a leg is sometimes used outside the theatre as superstitions and customs travel through other professions and then into common use.3:16
If someone happens to say good luck, they must go out of the theatre, turn around three times, spit curse, then knock on the door and ask to be readmitted to the theatre.3:27
E Superstitious beliefs are common in Japan.3:41
A lot of them are rooted in the country's culture.3:49
Some are related to language.3:54
For example, people try to avoid mentioning the names of numbers and objects that are homophones to such words as death and suffering.3:56
Thus, 4 is considered to be an unlucky number.4:10
In the old pagan culture of the country, people believed that living and natural objects had certain powers or spirits.4:14
Nowadays, some people still think that particular animals and their images bring about good or bad luck.4:24
F Superstitions seem to be a silly thing to believe in, but their power is such that they are passed on from generation to generation.4:34
We just follow the old recommendations without thinking.4:46
The superstitious beliefs in one country may sound strange and surprising in another.4:50
For example, in Russia, if you have to return to the place you've just left, it's a sign of bad luck to avoid it.4:57
Russian people rush to a mirror to look at themselves and deceive the evil omen.5:05
On the other hand, Russian people are shocked to find out that in Britain, one of the most widely held beliefs is that it's unlucky to open an umbrella in the house.5:11
It may either bring misfortune to the person who opened it or to the household.5:22
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