Some people believe in bad luck and do certain things to avoid it. For example, they don’t walk under ladders, avoid black cats, or don’t open umbrellas indoors. Others carry lucky charms, say special words, or wear a lucky color to protect themselves. These habits are called superstitions.
In this topic, you’ll learn how to talk about things you do to avoid bad luck, using present simple and present continuous, as well as how to explain past events or future plans with past simple, “will”, and “going to”. You will also practice modal verbs (should/shouldn’t, must/mustn’t, can/can’t), frequency adverbs, comparatives, and prepositions to describe actions and beliefs.
Examples:
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I never walk under ladders.
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She always knocks on wood to avoid bad luck.
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He’s going to stay home on Friday the 13th.
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We didn’t open the umbrella inside. That brings bad luck!
🧠 GRAMMAR
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Present Simple
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I avoid black cats.
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He doesn’t open umbrellas indoors.
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Do you do anything to avoid bad luck?
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Present Continuous
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I’m looking for my lucky charm.
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She’s not taking any chances today.
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Past Simple
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We didn’t walk under the ladder yesterday.
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They avoided bad luck last Friday.
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Future with “Will” / “Going to”
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I will be careful tomorrow.
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She’s going to wear her lucky bracelet.
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Modal Verbs
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You should avoid breaking mirrors.
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You mustn’t say bad words on New Year’s Eve.
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You can use a charm if it helps you feel safe.
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Adverbs of Frequency
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I always avoid bad luck on important days.
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He rarely believes in superstitions.
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Comparatives / Superlatives
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Friday the 13th is worse than Monday the 13th.
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That was the unluckiest day of the year.
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Prepositions
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She walks around the ladder, not under it.
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They hang lucky symbols on the door.
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📚 VOCABULARY (10 Words with Definition)
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bad luck | Something unlucky or negative that happens |
| Avoid | To stay away from something |
| Superstition | A belief not based on science or logic |
| Ladder | A tool to climb up or down |
| Charm | A small object believed to bring luck |
| Mirror | An object that shows reflection |
| Umbrella | A tool for protection from rain |
| Knock | To hit something softly, often with the hand |
| Break | To damage or destroy something |
| Careful | Paying attention to avoid danger or mistakes |
💬 USEFUL EXPRESSIONS
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I never walk under ladders.
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It’s bad luck to break a mirror.
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I knock on wood for good luck.
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Don’t open that umbrella inside!
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You should avoid saying that.
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It’s just a superstition.
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Better safe than sorry.
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Do you believe in bad luck?
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I always carry a lucky charm.
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That day felt unlucky.
✏️ SENTENCES
Positive:
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I always carry my lucky keychain.
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She knocks on wood before a big event.
Negative:
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We don’t open umbrellas indoors.
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He never walks under ladders.
Questions:
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Do you do anything to avoid bad luck?
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Is she going to wear her lucky ring today?
Answers:
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Yes, I always avoid black cats.
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No, I don’t believe in superstitions.
🗣️ LONG CONVERSATION
Lena: Are you walking around the ladder too?
Jake: Yes! I never walk under ladders. It’s bad luck.
Lena: Oh, come on! That’s just a superstition.
Jake: Maybe, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.
Lena: Do you do anything else to avoid bad luck?
Jake: I never open umbrellas inside, and I always knock on wood before a test.
Lena: Interesting! I don’t really believe in those things.
Jake: That’s okay. Everyone has their own beliefs. Are you going to wear your lucky bracelet today?
Lena: No, but maybe I should. I have a big meeting!
Jake: See? A little luck never hurts.
📖 LONG READING
Title: Marco’s Day of Superstitions
Marco never cared about superstitions until one day, many unlucky things happened. It was Friday the 13th. First, he broke a mirror. Then, he opened his umbrella indoors. Later, he walked under a ladder without thinking.
That afternoon, he lost his wallet and missed an important call. “This can’t be just coincidence,” he thought. From that day on, Marco avoided doing those things. Now, he never walks under ladders, never breaks mirrors, and always carries a small lucky charm in his pocket.
Even if it’s not real, he says it helps him feel more careful and focused.
Questions:
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What day was unlucky for Marco?
→ Friday the 13th. -
What three things did he do that day?
→ He broke a mirror, opened an umbrella indoors, and walked under a ladder. -
What happened after those things?
→ He lost his wallet and missed a call. -
What does Marco do now?
→ He avoids bad luck actions and carries a lucky charm. -
Why does he continue doing it?
→ Because it helps him feel more careful and focused.
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