READ5NG 2

Lucky hats and 1=

other fishing superstitions
1 Last January, I was fortunate
enough to go to Brazil on a fishing
trip. As we were boarding the
vessel that would be our home for
the next six nights, I looked up and
saw a huge bunch of ripe bananas
hanging from a hook.
2 I was horrified. For more than 20
years, I have been told again and
again that bananas and boats just
don’t mix. I started talking about
it with my fishing companions.
Not one had ever heard of such
a superstition.
3 Yet just a few months earlier, I
had read a paper about the banana
superstition. The author was unable
to find its origin. One bit of
speculation is that dangerous
critters lurked inside the banana trip, but it can’t be one you bought 10 I have a good friend who is
bunches. But there’s no doubt that yourself.” Hmmm. Come to think convinced that he won’t catch any
anglers throughout the world of it, that lucky cap of mine was fish unless he first spills a soft drink
believe that bananas don’t mix with a freebie. in his boat. You can’t just pour the
fishing boats. drink out; it has to be done
7 There also were some I’d never
accidentally. That means you need
4 The bananas certainly didn’t heard of. For example, rabbits
to leave the drink in a precarious
affect the fishing in Brazil. They crossing your path were bad luck.
position when you put it down.
were downright tasty and the Having a pig (or ham) on board is
fishing was outstanding. But it got bad luck and so are eggs. 11 There are other superstitions as
me to thinking about other well. If you catch a fish on the first
8 One superstition we’ve all heard
superstitions regarding fishing. cast, you might as well go home; it
is that it’s good luck to spit on your
will be the only fish you will catch.
5 For example, lucky hats. I had a bait; but this particular list suggests
Cameras are bad luck. (That’s
lucky hat for a long time, a bright that if the bait is a fish, you should
really tough for me.)
red cap that I was convinced was kiss it. Actually, the spitting on the
lucky. I caught a lot of fish and a lot bait probably has some merit. Just 12 I’m sure there are plenty more
of big fish wearing that hat. Then like a spray-on fish attractant, it can superstitions out there and I’d love
one day while angry, I threw it help disguise a smell that fish might to hear them. Let me know and
overboard. I’m convinced I haven’t find offensive. I’ll pass them along somewhere
caught as many fish since. down the line. And remember,
9 There’s also some merit in
no bananas.
6 Recently, a friend e-mailed me a keeping the first fish you catch.
list of “10 Fishing Superstitions” Sheepshead fishermen, for example,
that appeared in a magazine. The don’t like to release their fish until
lucky hat issue was addressed along they prepare to leave an area
because it will scare the rest of
with bananas. It says: “The ‘right’
hat can make or break a fishing the school.

Adapted from The Post and Courier.

4
 Before you read
Predicting Do you think these events are good luck or bad luck for fishermen?
Check (/) the correct column.

Good Luck Bad Luck

1. Having bananas on a boat

2. Having a pig (or ham) on a boat

3. Having eggs on a boat

4. Spitting on bait

5. Spilling a soft drink on a boat

6. Catching a fish on the first cast

Reading
Scanning Scan the text to check your predictions. Then read the whole text.

After you read

Guessing Find the words and phrases in the reading that match these definitions.
meaning Write one word on each line.
from context
1. getting on a boat boarding_a vessel (par. 1)
2. insects or animals hid (par. 3)
3. fishermen (par. 3)
4. something you get for free (par. 6)
5. benefit or advantage (par. 8 8c 9)
6. hide something (par. 8)
7. a large group of fish (par. 9)
8. not safe or stable (par. 10)

Making B Check (/) the correct column.

inferences

The writer's feelings about Positive Negative Neutral

1. ripe bananas on a boat

2. his fishing trip in Brazil

:i
3. his red cap
-1-1
4. rabbits crossing his path

5. spitting on bait

6. not taking photographs on a boat

Relating Answer these questions.

reading to 1. Do you know any other superstitions associated with fishing (or other sports)?
personal
experience If so, what are they?
2. Do you have a lucky hat (or other article of clothing)? If so, where did you get it?
Why do you consider it lucky?
3. Who do you think is more superstitious - men or women? What examples can you give

Unit 1 • Superstitions