[Task Sheet 1/Good Reader Writes Better ]

27 APRIL 2013
Page 1
Fill in the blanks with the choices of answers given at the right column of this question
paper.
Supersitions
A superstition is a (1).. or notion that is not based on the reason
or knowledge and as such, is not real or possible. Whatever it is, superstition plays a
(2) role in the lives of people all over the world. Whatever we call
ourselves, believers, sceptics or doubters, we are in one way or another affected by a
belief that there are inexplicable forces that affect our lives.
Superstitions cut across (3) and religion. For instance, there are
superstitions in ndian cultures. !he "hinese belief that number #$% is a (4)
number because the "antonese pronunciation for #$% is #baat% which
means prosperity. For one, superstitions are also (5) in Western
culture. For nstance, if you step on a crack, you will break your mother%s back.
According to Superstitious belief in &alay "ulture, a pregnant woman is advised
against casting her eyes on a disabled person lest the unborn child develop disabilities
too. !he ndians on the other hand, believe that a toad falling on a pregnant woman
can cause diseases to the (6) child. !he 'oreans do not wash their
hair before ma(or exams in case what they have (7) gets washed off
before the crucial day. n far)away reland, the (8)clover is a good
luck charm. !he (9) *ruids believed that the same clover allowed
them to look into the spirit world so that they can avoid meeting with demons. !hey
are also (10) superstitions associated with such mundane things as
mirrors, salt and birds. n the western culture, woes betide someone who breaks a
mirror. +e or she will (11) seven years of bad luck. Spilling salt
allows the devil to possess the salt brings bad luck too. +owever, throwing salt over
your (12) will take away the bad luck. &ake a wish if you see a
falling star because it is believed that wish will come true. ,irds are also not spared-
hence birds such as raven and the crow are (13) because they are
harbingers of death. Superstitions can be personal as in the case of using a (14)
pen for an examination or wearing a particular pair of socks for luck
in a competition.
.enerally, people%s (15) towards superstitions vary. Some treat them
with an almost religious type of piety, others scoff at them. +owever, there are lots of
superstitious people in the world of sports and gambling. When the stakes are high,
people (16) to the natural and (17)for assistance.
Sportsmen and businessmen in Asia especially in &alaysia, Singapore and ndonesia
are notoriously superstitious. /ften a divine intermediary, more commonly known as a
#bomoh% is (18)to perform rituals to invoke divine blessings to ensure
good weather or to secure a victory.
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(19) are also fortified with charms and talisman. .amblers on the
other hand, usually believe in a lucky number, a lucky slot machine or a lucky (20)
to ensure the winnings keep flowing in. #Feng Shui% the (21)
"hinese practice of improving fortunes by the placement of certain
ob(ects has its followers in the West or 0ast. According to positive #Feng Shui%
practices, never build a house facing north. ,uying a house facing a main road is also
a taboo as it may incur the (22) bad luck. Whether as an art or
science, #Feng Shui% is based on a host of superstitious practices. !he use of #feng
shui% as guiding principles in business is (23). Astrologers are
consulted to provide an auspicious date to launch a business and rituals are performed
to ensure that the endeavour will see fruition without hassle. !he specific location or
arrangement of buildings and office furniture is (24). to the last detail
to ensure that there is no obstruction to the flow of #qi% or energy so (25)
. to the success and smooth running of the enterprise.
&any (26). have been made given to explain people%s dependence
on superstitious beliefs to help them get through the (ourney of life. 1eople tend to
(27). on superstitious because they have no explanation for some of
the bi2arre happenings in the lives. ,esides, they are (28). of the
unknown so, they use superstitious to fill in this gap in information. !hey use
superstitious to explain things beyond their understanding and control in love and in
life. !his is because superstitions help to unlock the (29). cause by
what they do not understand. &any religious believers are superstitious because
superstition give them power over life and death matters. All they need to do is to (30)
., dance or make (31). and they can call upon
invisible powers to come to their aid and offer some respite even if the respite is short
one. !hey make us feel strong at least until the next (32). comes.
Some believers even have explanations to explain why some practices or rituals fail.
/ften they are quick to (33). themselves) we didn%t have faith, we
didn%t do it right or we have been too (34)..
Superstitions make life (35). When good or bad(36)
.us without rhyme and reason, we imagine that there are good and
bad forces causing the good or bad (37).. So we (38)
.reasons to placate or direct our fears and anxieties. &ore often than
not, what we do does not subscribe to logic.
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