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Many of us already know about several American superstitions(迷信). Having a black cat cross your
path, walking under a ladder, and breaking a mirror are all bad luck. In addition, there are many other
superstitions that are worth knowing. Understanding them will keep you safe from evil spirits -if you believe
in such things -and impress your American friends when you mention them.
Like the superstitions in other cultures, American superstitions often involve the things important in daily
life, such as health, numbers, and marriage. For example, have you ever had a cough that would not go
away? According to one American superstition, you should take a piece of your hair and put it between
two slices of buttered bread. Next, feed this hair sandwich to a dog and say, "Eat well, you hound, may
you be sick and I be sound." This will trick the evil spirits and help your cough. It will also raise some
eyebrows if you try it.
In American superstitions, the number three is very important. Often, Americas will say, "All things
come in threes." Three is lucky because it represents the traditional family: mother, father, and child.
Therefore, gifts, letters, and guests will often arrive at your home in groups of three. However, it is also
possible for bad events, like accidents and funerals, to come in threes as well.
Another time people pay attention to superstitions is when they get married. During a wedding, brides
must wear or carry "something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue". The old
and borrowed things will bring luck to the person who gives them to the bride. The new and blue things
will bring good fortune to the bride herself. The next time someone you know is getting married, be sure to
recite this phrase.
As it would be unlucky to discuss one more superstition, we will wind things up here. Keep your fingers
crossed, and stay lucky!
1. The passage is most probably entitled _____.
A. American's Bad Luck
B. Cross-culture and Superstitions
C. American Superstitions
D. Daily Life in Superstitions
2. The underlined sentence in the second paragraph "It will also raise some eyebrows if you try it."
means _____. .
A. when you try it, the dog will raise its eyebrows.
B. you will make people surprised when you try this trick
C. only if you raise your eyebrows can the trick work
D. you will believe in the trick after you try it
3. In American's view, the number three is a(n) _____ number.
A. lucky
B. unlucky
C. special
D. ordinary
4. On the wedding, the bride often uses old and borrowed things so as to _____. .
A. save some money for the wedding
B. bring good luck to the people who give them to the bride
C. give the good luck to the bride herself
D. pass the bad luck to others
5. After reading the passage, we may feel it is written in a _____ tone.
A. formal
B. serious
C. humorous
D. critical
