cursus - believe it or not

7/30/2019 Cursus - Believe It or Not

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Believe it or not

1. Superstitions

A. Do the following bring good luck or bad luck ?

B. Are you superstitious ?

C. Listening : Horoscopes

D. How about you ?

E. Reading : Friday the 13th

F. Listening : The black cat

2. The future

G. Listening : The fortune teller

H. In the year 2050

What will life be like in 50 years ?

How wrong can you be ?

3. Unexplained mysteries

I. Reading : Unexplained mysteries

J. Internet search

K. Fiction : The Bermuda triangle

L. Viewing : Alien abduction


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Believe it or not

1. SuperstitionsA. Do the following bring good luck (G) or bad luck (B) ?


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B. Are you superstitious?

Probably, the answer is: NO! But do you walk under ladders or open an umbrella indoors?

Lets see some traditional superstitions.

=> Numbers

Chinese think that whereas 4 and 14 are unlucky numbers (4 sounds like die and 14 sounds like must

die), 8 and 18 are lucky numbers because they sound like the word rich.

13 is considered an unlucky number in many cultures.

According to Christian traditions, there were 13 people at the Last Supper and Judas, the

traitor was the 13th to sit at the table.

There is a phobia connected to number 13, called triskaidekaphobia. Because of this fear, many

buildings dont have an official 13th floor and many people dont like having a party with 13

guests.

It is said that if you have 13 letters in your name, you will have the devils luck. (Charles Manson,Jack the Riper)

Why is Friday 13th unlucky?

Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden on a Friday. Jesus Christ died on a Friday.

In pagan Rome, Friday was an execution day and later, in Britain, they killed criminals on a

Friday.

In Greece, as well as in Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday is an unlucky day instead of

Friday.(The Fall of Constantinople took place on a Tuesday)

In Argentina, we have a proverb that says En martes, no te cases ni te embarques which

means that on Tuesday, neither get married nor start a journey.

=> Animals

1) A frog or a cricket can bring good luck to a home.

2) Bats are associated with evil in some countries, because the represent the devil, a

ghost or Dracula. In China, a bat means long life and happiness.

3) Black cats are unlucky in some countries. It is said that Napoleon saw a black cat

before the battle of Waterloo. He lost the battle and the British won. So the black

cat is unlucky on the continent whereas in Britain, it is lucky.

4) A ladybug is a sign of good fortune.


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=> Weddings There are many superstitions and traditions associated with weddings.

The bride should have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue in

order to have a happy marriage.

The colour of the dress is also important. White dresses were made popular by Queen Victoria,

who broke the tradition of royals marrying in silver. White symbolizes purity and virginity.

Married in White, you have chosen right,

Married in Grey, you will go far away,

Married in Black, you will wish yourself back,

Married in Red, you will wish yourself dead,

Married in Green, ashamed to be seen,

Married in Blue, you will always be true,

Married in Pearl, you will live in a whirl,

Married in Yellow, ashamed of your fellow,

Married in Brown, you will live in the town,

Married in Pink, you spirit will sink.

The bride must enter her house by the main door and must not fall. That is why the groom

carries the bride over the threshold.

=> Good luck superstitions

1) The person who finds a four-leaf clover is believed to be lucky

2) Wishbones: When two people pull apart a breastbone of a chicken or turkey, the one

who is left with the longer end will have his wish come true.

3) A horseshoe, hung above the doorway, will bring good luck to a home.

4) If your palm itches, you will receive money.5) Some people touch wood when they want something good to continue.

Others cross their fingers when they want to have good luck.

6) Good luck charms, like the rabbits foot, bring good luck.

=> Bad luck superstitions

1) Walking under a ladder.

2) Getting out of bed left foot first.

3) Opening an umbrella indoors.

4) Breaking a mirror brings 7 years of bad luck.To break the spell of misfortune you must wait 7 hours before picking up the broken

pieces and bury them outside in the moonlight.

5) If you spill salt, you will be unlucky unless you throw a pinch over your shoulder.

Im not superstitious but on second thoughtsId better touch wood and keep my fingers

crossed.

Try the following quizzes on superstitions:

http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz98497b48f80.html

http://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/General/Myths-Vampires--The-Undead-90883.html
http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz98497b48f80.htmlhttp://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/General/Myths-Vampires--The-Undead-90883.htmlhttp://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz98497b48f80.htmlhttp://www.funtrivia.com/trivia-quiz/General/Myths-Vampires--The-Undead-90883.html


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http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz17345613dd088.html

C. Horoscopes

Name : ..........................................Date : ........................ 7BSO .

V. Demarrez

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Listening : Horoscopes

(All Aboard 2, Unit 3 part 1 - test for listening 2, track 22)

Seven teenagers were asked if they believed in horoscopes.

Listen to what they have to say about it and tick the right boxes in the grid.

Believes in horoscopes doesnt believe in horoscopes

Tom

Maggie

Kate

Ken

Sandra

Emily

Peter

Speaking Do you read your horoscope ? Do you believe what it says ?

D. How about you ?
http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz17345613dd088.htmlhttp://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz17345613dd088.html


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E.

Name : ..........................................

Date : ........................ 7BSO .

V. Demarrez

/

Reading : Friday the 13th

What bad things does the letter-writer think will happen to her ?

1. She breaks a ... and thinks shell have

2. Her . says that she has to watch out for

and prepare herself for

3. She breaks a shoelace which means that

will strike before

.

4. When she places her ... on her desk, she believes that

therell be

.


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F.

Name : ..........................................

Date : ........................ 7BSO .

V. Demarrez

/

Listening : The black cat (All Aboard 2, Unit 4, ex 15, track 22 )


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Believe it or not

2. The futureG. Fortune teller

Name : ..........................................

Date : ........................ 7BSO .

V. Demarrez

/

Listening : The fortune teller(All Aboard 2, unit 3, ex 12, track 16)


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Cue cards

A

Information for Pupil 1: Information for Pupil 2:

You are a fortune teller. Listen carefully to yourclients questions and predict his or her future.These are some of the things you can see inyour crystal ball: an accident, someone in hospital.

Youre happily married with two children.Your husband/wife is a stuntman/woman.He/she isnt afraid of anything. Youre worriedabout him/her.Thats why you go and see a fortune teller.Explain your situation and ask him/her whathe/she can see in your future.

B


You are a fortune teller. Listen carefully to yourclient and predict his or her future. These aresome of the things you can read in the cards: a rich man/woman losing all his/her money, a lot of photos and a gorgeous photographer.

Youre 29. You were a model before you gotmarried.Your wife/husband whos very rich wantedyou to stop working.Now, after seven years, youre looking for a job.You want to know what the future will bring, soyou go and see a fortune teller and ask him/her.

C


You are a fortune teller. Listen carefully to yourclient and try to predict his or her future. Theseare some of the things you can read in the palmof his/her hand: training hard, winning goal.

Youre a student. Youre 15.Your favourite sport is football. You play inthe local team. Your big dream is to become aprofessional football player one day.So you go and see a fortune teller to find out ifyour dream will come true.

D


You are a fortune teller. Listen carefully to yourclient and try to predict his or her future. Theseare some of the things you can see in your

crystal ball: a Valentines card, a mysterious, gorgeous boy/girl.

Youre 18 and you have never had a boyfriend/girlfriend.Nobody will ever love me, thats how youre

feeling right now.Theres a boy/girl living in your street thatyou like very much, but he/she doesnt seeminterested in you.


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You go and see a fortune teller to find out if thatboy/girl could be your true love.

E


You are a fortune teller. Listen carefully to yourclient and try to predict his or her future. These

are some of the things you can see in yourcards: two baby girls, lucky 7.

You are the father/mother of five healthy boys.Youd very much like to have a daughter now.

You go and see a fortune teller to find out whatthe sex of your next baby will be.

Name : ..........................................

Date : ........................ 7BSO .

V. Demarrez

/

Reading Fortune tellers

Fill in the missing words in the text. Use each word in the box only once.

cards future spirits living

know believe crystal psychics visit

results fortune astrology interesting though

Fortune-telling is when people try to see what the .. holds.

Some people make a . as fortune-tellers, using ..

balls, tarot... or palm-reading. Some even say they can see the future

and talk to ..; these people are called

..

Some people ....fortune-tellers and psychics to hear their fortune.

How much of it you take seriously is up to you. However, it can be .

to hear what someone who doesn't .. you has to say

about you and your life, even ... you shouldn't always .

it. It is also important to keep in mind that getting your ..

told is not free and you do not know if you will like the .. or not.


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H. In the year 2050


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Name : ..........................................Date : ........................ 7BSO .

V. Demarrez

/

KT What will life be like in 50 years ?

A. Vocabulary

Brainstorming: Write down as many English words as you can think of

People Food Transport

in

50years


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Holidays Nature Technology

B. Writing :

Write down at least 10 sentences about how you think life will be in 50 years.


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C. Speaking : Tell the class what you think life will be like.

K. Fiction

Name : ..........................................

Date : ........................ 7BSO .

V. Demarrez

/

Reading : THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE

After reading the, can you answer the following multiple choice questions?

1 Does Henry know what the Bermuda Triangle is when his teacher tells him to do his summerproject on it? a Yes, he knows exactly what it is. b No, he has no idea what she is talking about. c He thinks he does, but hes got it wrong.

2 Why does Hayley know so much about the Bermuda Triangle? a Because her father has told her a lot about it. b Because she has read a lot of books about it. c Because she has seen it with her own two eyes.


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3 How does Mr Quint explain that a lot of people have disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle? a The sea is dangerous and people are careless, so a lot of accidents happen. b Things always go wrong when people try to find Atlantis, an old city under the sea. c Things from outer space kidnap people in that area of the ocean.

4 Who is Mr Travis? a A barman who has heard a lot of stories about the Bermuda Triangle from fishermen. b A fisherman who has heard a story about the Bermuda Triangle first hand. c A pilot who has been in the Bermuda Triangle himself.

5 Why does Mr Quint take out the rescue boat one day? a Because a boat is in trouble due to the dense mist. b Because a boat that was due to arrive at the harbour never got there. c Because he received an SOS call from a boat, but doesnt know where it is.

6 Who is Angela? a A girl working for the coastguard. b A girl working for Mr Quint. c Mr Quints daughter.

7 What do they find when they get to the place where the boat has disappeared? a A boat lying on the sea bed.

b Nothing at all. c The wreckage of a plane.

8 Who solves the mystery of the missing boat? a Angela. b Hayley. c Henry.

9 Who was on the boat that went missing? a Criminals. b Fishermen. c Tourists.

10 Where did the boat disappear to? a It landed on a beach.

b It sailed to Europe. c It went back to where it came from.


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THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE

Key:

1 Does Henry know what the Bermuda Triangle is when his teacher tells him to do his summerproject on it? a Yes, he knows exactly what it is. b No, he has no idea what she is talking about. c He thinks he does, but hes got it wrong.

2 Why does Hayley know so much about the Bermuda Triangle? a Because her father has told her a lot about it. b Because she has read a lot of books about it. c Because she has seen it with her own two eyes.

3 How does Mr Quint explain that a lot of people have disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle? a The sea is dangerous and people are careless, so a lot of accidents happen.

b Things always go wrong when people try to find Atlantis, an old city under the sea. c Things from outer space kidnap people in that area of the ocean.

4 Who is Mr Travis? a A barman who has heard a lot of stories about the Bermuda Triangle from fishermen. b A fisherman who has heard a story about the Bermuda Triangle first hand. c A pilot who has been in the Bermuda Triangle himself.

5 Why does Mr Quint take out the rescue boat one day? a Because a boat is in trouble due to the dense mist. b Because a boat that was due to arrive at the harbour never got there. c Because he received an SOS call from a boat, but doesnt know where it is.

6 Who is Angela? a A girl working for the coastguard. b A girl working for Mr Quint. c Mr Quints daughter.

7 What do they find when they get to the place where the boat has disappeared? a A boat lying on the sea bed. b Nothing at all. c The wreckage of a plane.

8 Who solves the mystery of the missing boat? a Angela. b Hayley.

c Henry.

9 Who was on the boat that went missing? a Criminals. b Fishermen. c Tourists.

10 Where did the boat disappear to? a It landed on a beach. b It sailed to Europe. c It went back to where it came from.

Copy master 6.11


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L.

Name : ..........................................

Date : ........................ 7BSO .

V. Demarrez

/

VIEWING: ALIEN ABDUCTION (DVD All Aboard 2, unit 4)

a Watch the extract and answer these questions.

1 On what day did the incident happen?

2 How many men were in the truck when the incident happened?

3 How many got out of the truck?

4 What did the others do after the incident?

First . After a few minutes

5 Where did Travis find himself after he was returned?

6 Whats the first thing he did when he was back?

7 How many days had he lost?

8 Where does he think he was during that time?

b Watch the extract again and write down keywords that will help you to write a report on:

what happened in the woods.

what Travis claims the aliens looked like.

what Travis claims he remembers from his stay aboard the UFO.


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I.

Name : ..........................................

Date : ........................ 7BSO .

V. Demarrez

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Reading Unexplained mysteries

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