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Œ Before you read Work with a partner.

• Do you think that are a lucky person? Why or why not?

 Vocabulary #1 Match the word/phrase with the correct meaning.

a hole-in-one a positive person who believes that things will end well
a lucky charm a scientist who studies behavior and the mind
a superstition an item that people believe brings luck to the holder
numerology the study of (and belief in) lucky numbers
a psychologist a negative person who believes that things will end badly
an optimist the belief that something is lucky or unlucky
a pessimist a golf shot from the tee to the hole

Ž Reading Read the following text.

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For Robert Edge, a keen golfer, it started out as an …………….. weekend. On
Saturday morning, Edge went, as usual, to his local golf course with some friends.
He couldn't believe his luck when he hit a hole-in-one, and he celebrated the
amazing experience with his friends after finishing the game. What made the
weekend even more special was that, returning to the same golf course the following
day, he hit another hole-in-one! He was undoubtedly a very lucky person. Missing Words

2
Events like this are not ……………, but we all experience "lucky" and "unlucky" Ÿ identical
events throughout our lives. The question is whether we can do anything to influence
our luck. Ÿ ordinary

Some people use lucky charms to help them avoid bad luck, and others believe very Ÿ tend
strongly in superstition and numerology. Many people associate certain objects with
luck. Horseshoes, rabbits' feet and four-leaf clovers are all said to bring good fortune. Ÿ common
The number thirteen is considered unlucky in many countries, with hotels jumping
from the twelfth floor directly to the fourteenth. In parts of Asia, the number four is
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avoided, as the pronunciation is nearly …………… to that of the word for "death".

Most scientists and psychologists don't believe in superstitions, or the idea that some
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people are luckier than others. They say that optimists …………… to remember
good results, and therefore believe that they are lucky; pessimists typically remember
bad results, and therefore believe that they are unlucky.

So, if you want to feel like a lucky person, thinking positively can help. Think and act
like an optimist, and ask yourself: do you feel lucky?

 Comprehension Questions Answer the questions below.

1. On which day did Robert Edge hit his second hole-in-one?

2. What do horseshoes, rabbits' feet, and four-leaf clovers have in common?
3. Why is the number four avoided in some parts of Asia?
4. According to the writer, what is the best way to feel lucky?

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 Summarizing Summarize each paragraph with one sentence.

Paragraph Notes

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

‘ Vocabulary #2 Change these sentences using the vocabulary from exercise two.

1. My friend is a negative thinker. He would say that this glass is half empty.
2. I don't carry around any objects that I think are lucky.
3. I'm a positive thinker. This glass is half full.
4. I don't believe in things being lucky and unlucky.
5. I'm lucky and I love golf, but I've never hit the ball straight into the hole.
6. I'm interested in lucky and unlucky numbers.

’ Discussion Ask your partner(s) these questions. Ask follow-up questions!

Questions related to the text

Ø What do you think of Robert Edge's story? Was he skillful or lucky?

Ø Have you ever hit a hole-in-one? Do you know anyone who has?
Ø Have you ever been really lucky? What happened?
Ø Are you superstitious? Do you believe in bad luck?
Ø What do people do for good luck in your country?
Ø What do people avoid doing that they think is unlucky?
Ø Which numbers are lucky or unlucky in your country? Why?
Ø Do you agree with the psychologists?

Other Questions

Ø Do you play golf? Why or why not? Why do so many people like to play?
Ø Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Why?
Ø "Pessimists are never disappointed." What does this saying mean? Do you agree?
Ø Are there any bad things about being an optimist?
Ø Do you think that most people are optimists or pessimists?
Ø What do you do to help yourself think positively?

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Target Structure: Theme Lesson: Reading and Discussion

Vocabulary: General
Level: Upper-Intermediate & Advanced
Time: 1 hour, depending on discussion
Preparation: None

Suggested Teaching Method

This worksheet builds general vocabulary skills, as well as summarizing and discussion. The questions at the
end are particularly conducive to extended conversation, so make sure you leave lots of time.

Œ Give one worksheet to each student. Students should discuss the questions in pairs, or small groups. Don't
spend too long on this section - the main discussion questions come at the end of the worksheet.

 Students can work alone on this exercise, and check their answers in pairs. If necessary, tell the students to find
the vocabulary in the text, to allow them to guess from context.

Ž Direct the students to the missing words in the box on the right. This is the task for the reading. The students
should read the article at brisk pace, filling in the spaces with the words in the box.

After reading the text, they can check their answers to the task question with a partner.

 Follow the directions on the worksheet. Students can work in pairs, reading and answering the questions.

 Put students into new pairs. Students should summarize each paragraph using one sentence. Encourage
natural English. The text is quite formal in style – it might be good for the students to make it more casual.

When the students have finished, let them compare with other students. Finally, go through some of the
answers with the class.

‘ This exercise recycles vocabulary already studied. Students can work in pairs. If this exercise looks difficult for
your class, you can make it easier by underlining the part to change before making copies of the worksheet.

’ Maximize student talking time by putting students in pairs, or small groups. Students should read all the
questions first, before beginning the discussion.

While the students are speaking, monitor the conversations, but try not to interrupt. When the discussion comes
to a close, ask a few of the questions yourself, and go through any points of English you made a note of while
monitoring.

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Answer Key (Other answers may be possible.)


a hole-in-one a golf shot from the tee to the hole
a lucky charm an item that people believe brings luck to the holder
a superstition the belief that something is lucky or unlucky
numerology the study of (and belief in) lucky numbers
a psychologist a scientist who studies behavior and the mind
an optimist a positive person who believes that things will end well
a pessimist a negative person who believes that things will end badly

Ž 1. ordinary
2. common
3. identical
4. tend

 1. Sunday
2. Lucky charms
3. 4
4. Good; lucky

‘ 1. My friend is a pessimist. He would say that this glass is half empty.

2. I don't carry around any lucky charms.
3. I'm an optimist. This glass is half full.
4. I don't believe in superstitions.
5. I'm lucky and I love golf, but I've never hit a hole-in-one.
6. I'm interested in numerology.

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Updated 6/29/08

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