B1IELTS-style · Band 4.5–5.0Writing50 min

IELTS Writing: Superstitions and Lucky Charms

Superstitions and lucky charms

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Writing Workshop • B1

Lucky Charms and Superstitions

📋 How to Use This Lesson

For Teachers:

Teach this entire lesson in 50 minutes to prepare students for opinion essays.

Guide learners through Module 1 step by step and check the vocabulary quickly before writing.

For Students:

Complete all five warm-up exercises in Module 1 to collect useful words and structures.

Apply your target vocabulary and conditional sentences directly in your Module 2 essay.

Module 1

Language Warm-Up: Words & Sentences

"Let's warm up with words and sentences."

A close-up still life of traditional lucky charms including a brass horseshoe, a green four-leaf clover, and an antique
A

Word Forms: Complete the Sentences

Change the word in brackets into the correct grammatical form to fit the sentence.

1. Many people in my hometown are still quite _________ (superstition) and never start a long journey on Friday the 13th.

____

2. We were extremely _________ (fortune) to find the lost passport right before boarding the plane.

____

3. It is his personal _________ (believe) that wearing blue socks brings him high exam scores.

____

4. _________ (unlucky), the ladder fell on a parked car.

____

5. Finding an old coin on the sidewalk by chance brought our team unexpected good _________ (lucky).

____
B

Natural Collocations: Choose the Correct Option

Select the option that best forms a natural English expression.

1. Many nervous students like to ______ a lucky charm in their pocket when taking a major test.

____ a. carry ____ b. drive ____ c. catch ____ d. deliver

2. In many European countries, pedestrians deliberately avoid ______ directly beneath a ladder.

____ a. to walk ____ b. walk ____ c. walking ____ d. walked

3. Winning the regional science award brought the laboratory great reputation and good ______.

____ a. mirror ____ b. fortune ____ c. ladder ____ d. symptom

4. My grandfather holds a ______ belief that opening an umbrella indoors causes domestic conflict.

____ a. heavy ____ b. thick ____ c. tall ____ d. strong

5. According to traditional folklore, accidentally smashing a wall mirror invites seven long years of bad ______.

____ a. luck ____ b. charm ____ c. sign ____ d. mirror
C

Phrase Bank: Essay Linkers

Word Bank (Use each phrase exactly once):

As a result In addition On the other hand In my view For instance

1. ____________, relying completely on lucky tokens prevents young people from developing genuine self-reliance.

____

2. Some rituals are harmless traditions. ____________, finding a shiny four-leaf clover simply brings a warm feeling of joy to a student.

____

3. The candidate forgot his favorite pen at home. ____________, he felt nervous throughout the morning test and could not concentrate.

____

4. Believers claim rituals create inner calm. ____________, critics argue that such habits waste valuable preparation time.

____

5. Carrying a lucky item provides short-term comfort. ____________, it connects people to ancient family customs.

____
D

Sentence Paraphrasing: Complete the Rewrite

Fill in the missing Unit word to complete the B1-level paraphrase without changing the original meaning.

Original sentence:

"Many people think that a black cat crossing the road indicates future misfortune."

Rewrite: "Many people consider a black cat crossing the road to be a negative _________ of misfortune."

____

Original sentence:

"He was selected for the prize purely by coincidence rather than preparation."

Rewrite: "He won the prize entirely by _________ rather than thorough preparation."

____

Original sentence:

"I stay away from stepping on street cracks because of my superstitious habit."

Rewrite: "I usually _________ stepping on street cracks because of my superstitious habit."

____
E

Grammar Drill: Complete the Conditionals

Type the correct form of the verb in brackets to complete each general rule or imagined situation.

1. If someone accidentally breaks a mirror, folklore says the person _________ (have) bad luck for seven years.

Hint: This sentence states a customary belief that always produces the same outcome.

____

2. If a commuter _________ (walk) directly under a tall ladder, superstitious onlookers consider it an unlucky sign.

Hint: Use the present simple form for the singular subject 'a commuter'.

____

3. If university students relied more on hard practice and less on charms, they _________ (feel) genuine confidence during tests.

Hint: This is an imagined situation contrasting with present reality.

____
Module 2

Writing Task 2: Express Your Opinion

"Now it is your turn to write."

Official Exam Prompt Essay Task 2 • 40 Minutes
"Some people carry lucky charms or follow superstitions in order to feel more confident in daily life. Others think this is a waste of time and can even cause problems. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"

Assignment Requirements:

  • Write a minimum of 200 words.
  • Include at least 3 conditional sentences (combining general rules and imagined situations).
  • Incorporate at least 5 target Unit words (charm, mirror, ladder, sign, unlucky, chance, fortune, superstitious, belief, avoid).
  • Follow a clear 4-paragraph structure using the starter sentences below.

📌 4-Paragraph Plan Starters

Use these starter lines to open each paragraph. Develop your own explanations and examples.

Paragraph 1: Intro

"In this essay I will discuss ..."

Paragraph 2: Body 1

"One reason is ..."

Paragraph 3: Body 2

"Another reason is ..."

Paragraph 4: Conclusion

"In conclusion, ..."

✅ Pre-Submission Self-Check

____ Word count is at least 200 words ____ At least 3 conditional sentences included ____ At least 5 target Unit vocabulary words used ____ 4 paragraphs clearly started with the given stems

Your Essay Draft

Task Response Coherence & Cohesion Lexical Resource Grammar Range & Accuracy
A neatly arranged wooden student desk with an open lined notebook, a purple pen, an eraser, and a printed essay outline ____ (Type your full essay here (minimum 200 words)...)
Module 3

Model B1 Student Essay

"Read this student essay to see how it works."

Reference Sample

Belief in Superstitions: Comfort or Waste of Time?

228 Words • B1 Level

In this essay I will discuss whether following superstitions helps us or only wastes our time. In my view, lucky charms can give us a quick feeling of comfort, but they cannot replace real preparation.

One reason is that small rituals often reduce stress before important events. For instance, many students feel calmer when they carry a lucky charm into an exam room. If a person feels calm, they perform better on challenging tasks. In addition, these habits connect us to family traditions, and they can make life more fun. A small charm can also remind us of a person we love, which is a nice feeling before a test.

💡 Note: This sentence describes a general truth where two events always happen together.

Another reason is that strong beliefs sometimes create fear that we do not need. If a superstitious person breaks an old mirror or walks under a ladder, they immediately worry about unlucky signs. As a result, they may lose their focus. On the other hand, if people trusted their own hard work instead of chance, they would experience real confidence every day. We should avoid letting fear control our daily decisions, because a calm mind usually makes better choices than a worried one.

💡 Note: This sentence tells what usually happens when a superstitious person breaks a mirror.

💡 Note: This sentence describes an imagined situation and its likely result in daily life.

In conclusion, charms may give us some support, but we should not depend on them. True success comes from effort and planning, not from good fortune, and a charm is only a small extra help.

Target Units Integrated in This Essay:

fortune charm superstitious mirror ladder unlucky sign chance avoid belief

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