APIEVocabulary & Pronunciation: Superstitions and Lucky Charms
Superstitions and lucky charms
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
Superstitions and Lucky Charms 🍀✨
1. Read the word tables together, then let students do the practice on their own. Plan about 20 minutes in all.
2. Check the answers with the short explanation after each item, then listen to a few recordings from the Shadowing section.
1. Carefully study the 10 core words, noticing collocations and related word forms before testing yourself.
2. Do the 4 practice steps, then listen and record yourself in the Shadowing section.
Word Table: Objects and Signs
| Word | Meaning | Common Collocations | Word Forms | Example Sentence | Memory Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| charm (n) | A small object that people believe brings good luck. | lucky charm, charm bracelet, work like a charm | – | He always keeps a silver charm in his pocket during exams. | Think of a "charming" trinket that keeps trouble away. |
| mirror (n) | A reflective glass surface that shows your image. | break a mirror, look in the mirror, cracked mirror | – | Superstition says that if you break a mirror, you get seven years of bad luck. | Reflects images; breaking it breaks your reflection. |
| ladder (n) | A structure of steps used for climbing up or down walls. | walk under a ladder, climb a ladder, wooden ladder | – | She refused to walk under the ladder leaning against the shop. | You climb it one step at a time. |
| sign (n) | An event, action, or mark that warns of future luck or trouble. | a good sign, a bad sign, sign of trouble | – | Finding a four-leaf clover was seen as a clear sign of success. | Like a street sign, it points to what is coming next. |
Objects that people keep or avoid to protect their fortune.
Word Table: Luck and Chance
| Word | Meaning | Common Collocations | Word Forms | Example Sentence | Memory Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| unlucky (adj) | Having or bringing bad luck or unfortunate events. | unlucky number, unlucky day, feel unlucky | luck (n), lucky (adj) | Some people think that 13 is an unlucky number. | Prefix "un-" means opposite of lucky. |
| chance (n) | Luck, or the way things happen without a plan; also a chance to do something. | have a chance, take a chance, pure chance | – | We met by pure chance on the morning train to work. | Related to rolling dice: any outcome is possible. |
| fortune (n) | Good or bad luck that comes to you; also a very large amount of money. | bring good fortune, tell someone's fortune, make a fortune | fortunate (adj), fortunately (adv) | Many people say that a lucky coin brings good fortune. | Think of a "fortune cookie" predicting your future luck. |
Word Table: Believing & Acting
| Word | Meaning | Common Collocations | Word Forms | Example Sentence | Memory Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| superstitious (adj) | Believing that certain actions or signs bring good or bad luck, without a real reason. | superstitious belief, superstitious person, highly superstitious | superstition (n) | My brother is superstitious and wears the same socks for every match. | Say it in four parts: su-per-STI-tious. |
| belief (n) | A strong feeling that something is true, even without proof. | popular belief, widely held belief, firm belief | believe (v) | It is a common belief that opening an umbrella indoors brings bad luck. | Noun form with "-f", while the action verb ends in "-ve". |
| avoid (v) | To stay away from someone or keep yourself from doing something. | avoid bad luck, avoid danger, try to avoid | – | He took another route to avoid walking under the ladder. | Think of steering around a "void" (empty hole) to stay safe. |
Actions like avoiding ladders or mirrors are rooted in superstitious traditions.
Practice
Complete all 16 items across 4 steps, then record your voice in the Shadowing section.
Match each verb on the left with the words that go with it:
Choose the correct word from the word bank to complete each mini-dialogue:
A: Why are you wearing that small silver bracelet today?
B: My grandmother gave it to me as a lucky ____ before the job interview.
A: Do you really think touching wood prevents accidents?
B: Not scientifically, but it is an old cultural ____ that many people still practice.
A: Should we enter the annual design competition this weekend?
B: Absolutely! Let's take a ____ and see what happens. Finding that coin earlier might be a sign!
A: Marcus refused to sit at table number 13 in the restaurant.
B: I know, he is quite ____ about certain numbers and symbols.
Select the most accurate word for each sentence in the context of superstitions:
1. He carried a rabbit's foot in his pocket because he believed it acted as a protective ______ against negative events.
2. Be careful carrying that glass! If you drop and break that antique ______, people will joke about seven years of bad luck.
3. Whenever builders work on the street, Maria crosses the road so she can ______ walking under their equipment.
4. Tom thinks that seeing a rainbow before the match is a good ______ for his team.
Change the word in capital letters and brackets to complete each sentence:
1. Some hotels have no room 13 because guests think it is an ____ number. (LUCK)
2. The man sold lucky charms at the market and made a ____ in one year. (FORTUNATE)
3. The old captain had several ____ habits, such as never leaving port on a stormy Friday. (SUPERSTITION)
4. Some people have a strong ____ that black cats bring bad luck. (BELIEVE)
Shadowing
Listen carefully to the native audio model, then record yourself repeating clearly. Total 12 items.
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