objectsforall/Shutterstock/ID/BR

2000 Mark Paris

McPherson /

4P_AL_I8_P01_008A037.indd 24

1
rsal Uclick

Learn to talk about

superstitions, real and
unreal condition, and
possibilities.
2006 Mark Parisi/

Dist. by Universal

Mageon/Shutterstock/ID/BR

Lets start!

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UFS

Dist. by Unive

Language in action

by Universal Uclick for

1999 John

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Uclick for UFS

2005 Mark Parisi/ Dist.

Close to

Pherson
Home, John Mc

unit

Superstitions around
the world

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Illustrations: Graphorama/ID/BR

1. In pairs, match the columns and learn about superstitions.

a. If a black cat crosses your path,

b. If a girl catches the brides
bouquet after a wedding,
c. If a witch points at you,
d. If you break a mirror,
e. If you find a clover plant with
four leaves,
f. If you hear an owl in the night,
g. If you scratch your left hand,
h. If you see a small spider,
i. If you talk of the devil,
j. If you touch wood,
k. If a person throws salt over
his/her shoulder,
l. If we walk under a ladder,

(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(

) he or she will have good luck.

) you will get a lot of money.
) you will have bad luck.
) a friend will die.
) we will have bad luck.
) your good luck will continue.
) you will have good luck.
) you will give money away.
) you will die.
) you will have seven years of
bad luck.
( ) she will be the next to marry.
( ) he will appear.

Did you know...?

2. Are you superstitious? Circle the letters (a to l, exercise 1) that

describe your superstitions.

In England and Ireland,

meeting a black cat
means you are lucky.

3. Do you think you are a lucky person?

( ) Yes, I do.

( ) No, I dont.

4. Look at cartoon 1 on page 24; then consult the superstitions from

Graphorama/ID/BR

exercise 1 to help you answer the questions.

a) What happened?
b) According to the chart, will this action bring good luck?
( ) Yes, it will.
( ) No, it wont.

Learn more. Go to digital object

Do you believe in superstitions?.

5. Look at cartoon 2 on page 24 and fill in the blanks with the right form

of the verbs to report the story.

The snowman

(throw) salt over his left shoulder to

(bring) him good luck. He

you put salt on snow, it melts. So, his shoulder

(not know) that if

(melt).

6. Which statement is a scientific fact?

( ) If you throw salt over your left shoulder, you will have good luck.
( ) If you throw salt on snow, it melts.
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7. What are the evidences in cartoon 3 for the statement Genetically, he is only 50%

bad luck?
( ) There are two black cats on the wall.
( ) The car threw a lot of mud on the cat.
( ) The cat crossing the mans path is half black and half white.
( ) Mud covered just half of the mans body.
8. Read cartoon 4. What explanation for the accident is based on superstition?

In your opinion, what is the best explanation for that accident?

( ) It was a fortuitous event.
( ) It was a matter of security.
9. What would you do if a black cat crossed your path? Read some answers posted

Shutterstock/ID/BR

at <http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100501163839AAtA> and
mark the ones you like the most.
( ) Nothing. It happens to me on a daily basis considering I own a black cat.
( ) Superstitions are super stupid.
( ) Here kitty kitty.
( ) Keep walking. Black cats tend to bring me luck.
( ) The same thing Id do if a white one crossed.
( ) Id say, Hi Sissy, ya hungry? and scratch her back.
with suggestions from your classmates.

ID/BR

10. What other superstitions do you know? Write them down and then complete your list

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 Lets listen and practice pronunciation!

Pronouncing [I] and [i]
1.

All the underlined words in the following sentences contain the vowel sound [i]
or []. Listen to the sentences and repeat them.
4

[]

[i]

[] []

[]

[i]

Illustrations: Fabiana
Shizue/ID/BR

a) If you eat from the pot, it will rain at your wedding ceremony.

[]

[i]

[i]

[] []

[]

[i]

Illustrations: Fabiana
Shizue/ID/BR

b) If you see a bunny going into his hollow, you will have good luck for three hours.

2.

Listen to the words in columns A and B.

A

eat
reach
feel
feet
peel

it
rich
fill
fit
pill

What will happen if you mispronounce these words?

3. With the help of a dictionary or the glossary in this book, write the

b) chick

d) slip

Did you know...?

A minimal pair is a
set of two words that
are only differentiated
by one sound. If you
can distinguish this
sound, it will help you
with pronunciation and
comprehension.

Illustrations: Fabiana Shizue/ID/BR;

Shutterstock/ID/BR (banana peel)

respective minimal pair for each word below. The pictures will help you.
a) sit
c) sheep

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1. Read this proverb:

If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas.

Graphoramav/ID/BR

Lets focus on language!

a) This proverb means:

( ) If you are a responsible person, you will have bad results.
( ) If you get up early, you can control all your problems.
( ) If you do something, you will suffer the consequences.
b) What are the two actions present in the proverb? Complete the answer.
with fleas.
They are (1) lying down with dogs and (2)
c) Which of the two actions is a condition?
( ) If you lie down with dogs.
( ) You will get up with fleas.
d) Is it possible to lie down with a dog?
Is this condition real or unreal?
Use if + Simple Present + will to talk about real conditions or possibilities.

2. Rewrite the proverb in exercise 1 using the following pairs of animals and insects.

a) pigeon + lice =
b) horse + tick=
3. Read the following statement:
If you heat ice, it melts.

Learn more. Go to digital object

Do you believe in superstitions?.

a) What are the two actions present in this statement? Complete the answer.
They are (1) heating ice and (2)
b) Which of the two actions is a condition?
( ) If you heat ice.

( ) It melts.
Use if + Simple Present + Simple Present to talk about things
which are always true.

4. Rewrite the following scientific facts using if. Read the example.

a) Melting happens when the temperature is 32 F (0 C) or higher.

If the temperature is 32F (0C) or higher, melting happens.

b) When you put salt on ice or snow, it begins to melt.

c) Apples stop going brown when you put lemon juice on them.
d) When you put salt into water, it dissolves.

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Alexander Marushin/Shutterstock/ID/BR

5. Read an African proverb and answer the questions below.

If stretching were wealth, the cat would be rich.

a) This proverb means:

( ) We spend money when we do gymnastics.
( ) People do not get rich without working hard.
( ) Cats will not get money because they are lazy.
( ) Wealthy people work as much as cats do.
b) What are the two events present in the proverb? Complete the
answer.
and
.
They are
c) Which of the two events is a condition?
( ) If stretching were wealth.
( ) The cat would be rich.
d) Is it possible to get money by stretching our body?
Is this condition real or unreal? It is
Use if + were + would to talk about unreal conditions,
improbable or impossible events.

6. Read an Indian proverb and answer the questions below.

If cats had wings, there would be no ducks in the lake.

a) Do cats have wings?

b) If cats had wings is:
( ) a real condition.

( ) an unreal condition.

Use if + Simple Past + would to talk about unreal conditions,

improbable or impossible events.

Language variation
In formal English, when
we talk about unreal
conditions, we use were
with I, he, she, and it (If I
were, If she were, etc.).
But in colloquial English,
we can use was.
Example: If I was a better
man/ Would fellow men
take me to their hearts?
(from the song If I was,
by Midge Ure).

(be) not a physicist, I

a) If I
(be) a musician. (Albert Einstein)
probably
b) If men
(like) shopping, they
(call) it research. (Cynthia Nelms)
c) Sir, if you
(be) my husband, I
(give) you poison. (Nancy Astor)
d) If I
(be) your husband, I
(take) it. (Winston Churchill)
e) If everybody
(mind) their own business, the
(go) around a great deal faster than it
world
does. (The Duchess, in Alice in Wonderland)

Lusoimages/Shutterstock/ID/BR

7. Complete the following quotes with the right form of the verb.

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 Lets talk!
1. In pairs, ask and answer questions about some

Student A: What will you do if you go to Rio de Janeiro?

Student B: If I go to Rio de Janeiro, I will visit Corcovado.
Student A: What will you do if you go to London?
Student B: If I go to London, I will visit the royal family.

Shutterstock/ID/BR

ar Imagens
Mauricio Simonetti/Puls

Kamira/Shutters
tock/ID/BR

places in Brazil or abroad. See the example.

2. In groups of five or more students, lets make a chain of events: first, student A presents

a condition and a result, then student B transforms the result into a condition. Student
C transforms the result into a condition, and so on. See an example.
Student A: If I had money, I would buy a bike.
Student B: If I had a bike, I would go to the park.
Student C: If I went to the park, I would plan a picnic.
Student D: If I planned a picnic, I would take a photo.

Lets listen!
1. Listen to some proverbs and fill in the blanks with the missing words.
6

a) Zambian proverb: Treat the days well and they

b) Indian proverb: Follow the river and you
c) Scottish proverb: If the doctor cures, the sun
it.
earth
d) American proverb: When in Rome,
e) American proverb: When the cats away,
f) Ethiopian proverb: A cat may go to a monastery, but it
g) Russian proverb: If wishes were
in the river for
h) Chinese proverb: If you are planning for a
, plant
you are planning for a
planning for a lifetime,

you well.
to the sea.
it; if he kills, the

, thered be no
, sow

; if
; if you are

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 Lets play!
1. Do you believe people can have the power to predict the future?

( ) Yes, I do.

( ) No, I dont.

2. Do this quiz and find out your prediction powers. Use the glossary if you have any
Facsimile/ID/BR

difficulty with unknown words.

From: Astro Girl!, March, 2011, p. 22.

3. Share your results with your classmates.

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 Lets read!
1. Do you believe in astrology?
2. In your opinion, is astrology the science of stars or mere superstition?

Why?
3. What is your zodiac sign?

Illustrations: Fabiana Shizue/ID/BR

Pronunciation spot
7

Listen to the song

The Zodiac to learn how
to pronounce the names
of the zodiac signs.
Aries
(March 21 April 20)

Taurus
(April 21 May 20)

Gemini
(May 21 June 21)

Cancer
(June 22 July 22)

Virgo
(August 23
September 22)

Libra
(September 23
October 22)

Scorpio
(October 23
November 21)

Did you know...?

Horoscopes and astrology
originated with the
ancient Greeks, who
were sure that a persons
life was pre-determined
and predictable by the
positioning of certain
heavenly bodies (sun and
moon) and constellations
present at the time of a
persons birth.
Available at: <www.dailyhoroscopes.org>. Accessed
on: November 30, 2011.

Leo
(July 23 August 22)

Sagittarius
(November 22
December 21)

Capricorn
(December 22
January 19)

Aquarius
Pisces
(January 20 February (February 19 March
18)
20)

4. In which section of the newspaper can we usually find horoscopes?

( ) Science
( ) Entertainment

( ) Local news
( ) Politics

( ) Health

5. Do people read horoscopes for fun or because they believe in

astrology?
6. What do you expect to find in horoscopes?
7. Do you ever check your horoscope?

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8. Read four horoscope excerpts. It is not necessary to understand all the words.

Read for general meaning and then complete the statements about the texts below
with the appropriate zodiac signs. Circle the words and expressions that helped you
to complete the sentences.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct.
23): The one who
answers your calls and
fulfills your requests
is a true friend. Make
plans to celebrate this
person in the near
future.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.

18): The more interested
you are in the object of
your desire, the luckier
youll get. And if you are
willing to learn everything
there is to know, your
fortunes will multiply.

From: Los Angeles Times. October 18, 2010.

CANCER

Aries
You are the explorer!
How about exploring a new
book today?
Reading a new book can
open your life to new
things, new places, and
new people. Use your
explorers heart today.
Go get em, Aries!
Available at: <www.ekidsland.com/secret-area/Flash/
horoscope.swf>. Accessed on: July 8, 2011.

Illustrations: Fabiana Shizue/ID/BR

(June 22nd-July 22nd)

You are emotional and
loving, intuitive and
imaginative, cautious,
protective and sympathetic.
But sometimes you can be
changeable and moody,
overemotional and touchy.
Available at: <www.disneyclips.com/funstuff/horoscope.
html>. Accessed on: July 8, 2011.

a)
b)
c)

presents personality characteristics of people born under this sign.

presents some predictions for people born under this sign.
presents personality characteristics and gives advice to people born
under this sign.
presents a piece of advice to people born under this sign.
d)
9. Read below some personality characteristics which appear in Zodiac descriptions.

Which ones can describe your zodiac sign? Underline them.

analytical

adventurous

bossy

caring in nature

cautious

clever

confident

courageous

egoistic

excellent friend

generous

good decision-maker

good sense of humor

helpful

honest

impatient

indecisive

jealous

loyal

obsessive

optimist

openhanded

open-minded

possessive

practical

prudent

reasonable

romantic

selfish

spontaneous

thoughtful

resentful

sensitive

sympathetic

versatile

warm at heart
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 Art corner
The picture book If, by Sarah Perry, presents creative unreal possibilities about
the natural world and ends with the suggestion If this is the end/ Then dream up
some more!

1. Look at the creative art of Sarah Perry and try to complete her impossible propositions.

Getty Publica

tions/ID/BR

Shutterstock/ID/BR

Sarah Perry. If Los Angeles: Getty Trust Publications, J. Paul Getty Museum, 1995.

2. Now, you are the artist. Having in mind the statement Dream up some more!, write

down some creative propositions and try to illustrate them in your magazine project.

a) If

b) If
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 Lets act with words!

Language for life

Write a horoscope page for the entertainment section in your

magazine.
Genre: Horoscope

Purpose: Play with

predictions

Tone: Informal

Writer: You or your group

Typical grammar patterns:

Simple present
Future
Imperative
If clauses

Key vocabulary items:

Adjectives

Audience: Magazine readers

Text structure:
Name of the sign
Dates of birth
Personality characteristics
Advice
Predictions

We use language to have

fun.

Shutterstock/ID/BR

Horoscope page

Writing guidelines
Organizing
1. Read some horoscopes to check their textual characteristics and find examples
for typical grammar patterns and key vocabulary items.
Preparing the first draft
2. Make a first draft.
3. Use the glossary or a dictionary to help you.
4. Find pictures to illustrate.
Peer editing
5. Evaluate and discuss it with a classmate.
6. Make the necessary corrections.
Publishing

st
tter
Shu

R
/ID/B
ock

7. Write the final version of the horoscope and include it in your magazine.
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ID/BR

Learning strategies
Read the statements below
and check YEP or NOPE.
1

I have a dictionary.

I take notes of the new words I learn.

I make concept maps to learn new words.

I use dictionaries to know the meaning of new words.

I write down lists of words with their meanings or translation.

I organize words in word family charts.

I read in English.

When I read, I look at the title, subtitles, pictures, captions.

When I read, I try to make predictions.

10

When I read, I look for transparent words.

11

When I read, I try to guess the meaning of the words.

12

When I read, I highlight or underline the main ideas.

13

I listen to songs in English.

14

When I listen to songs, I pay attention to rhymes.

15

When I listen to songs, I pay attention to pronunciation.

16

When I listen to songs, I try to copy parts of the lyrics.

17

When I listen to songs, I try to understand them without reading.

18

I am not afraid of making mistakes. I learn with them.

19

I watch movies in English.

20

I look for opportunities to interact in English.

21

I surf the Web to find extra exercises and games in English.

22

I write a blog in English.

23

I write emails in English.

24

I interact in chat rooms in English.

25

I write SMS messages in English.

YEP

NOPE

YEP Total:
NOPE Total:
Will you make an effort to increase the number of YEPS?

YEP

RESULT

20 25

Excellent! You are on the right track. Keep up with the learning strategies.

15 19

Way to go. You use a great number of learning strategies.

10 14

Thats ok, but you can have a faster and better result if you employ more learning strategies.

below 14

Oops! You need to use more strategies in order to improve your skills and expand your vocabulary.

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Shutterstock/ID/BR

ar Imagem
Mauricio Simonetti/Puls

Assess your learning

Graphorama/ID/BR

Things Ive learned in Part 1

With my classmates
and friends
With the book and my teacher

Self-learning

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