I DON’T WALK UNDER LADDERS TO AVOID BAD LUCK

 This lesson is about superstitions and things people do to avoid bad luck. One common superstition is not walking under ladders. This topic helps learners describe habits, beliefs, and reasons for their actions using the present simple tense.

Examples:

• I don’t walk under ladders because I think it’s bad luck.

• She always knocks on wood to stay lucky.

• He never opens an umbrella indoors.

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📛 GRAMMAR

1. Present Simple (habits and routines)

   • I avoid black cats.

   • She doesn’t like superstitions.

   • Do you believe in bad luck?

2. Adverbs of Frequency

   • Always, usually, often, sometimes, never

   • I never walk under ladders.

3. Modal Verbs

   • You shouldn’t break a mirror.

   • People mustn’t do that if they’re superstitious.

4. Prepositions

   • Under the ladder, inside the house, on Friday the 13th

5. Reason Connectors

   • Because, so, that’s why

   • I don’t walk under ladders because I’m superstitious.

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📖 VOCABULARY

1. Superstition – A belief not based on reason or science.

2. Ladder – A tool used to climb up or down.

3. Bad luck – Something negative that happens by chance.

4. Avoid – To stay away from something.

5. Believe – To think something is true.

6. Mirror – An object that shows your reflection.

7. Umbrella – Something used to protect from rain.

8. Knock on wood – A gesture to stop bad luck.

9. Lucky – Having good fortune.

10. Habit – Something you do often or regularly.

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💬 USEFUL EXPRESSIONS

• I don’t walk under ladders.

• That brings bad luck!

• Are you superstitious?

• Better safe than sorry.

• It’s just a habit.

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✅ SENTENCES

Positive:

• I always knock on wood.

• She believes in good luck charms.

Negative:

• I don’t walk under ladders.

• He doesn’t believe in superstitions.

Questions:

• Do you avoid ladders?

• Are you superstitious?

Answers:

• Yes, I try to be careful.

• No, I think it's just coincidence.

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🗣️ CONVERSATION

Mark: Hey! Don’t walk under that ladder!

Sofia: Why not?

Mark: It’s bad luck! Haven’t you heard that before?

Sofia: Oh, are you superstitious?

Mark: A little. I never walk under ladders or break mirrors.

Sofia: Interesting. I don’t really believe in that, but I always knock on wood just in case.

Mark: Better safe than sorry!

Sofia: True!

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📘 READING

Bad Luck or Just a Belief?

Many people in different countries have superstitions. In some places, people don’t walk under ladders because they believe it brings bad luck. Others never open an umbrella indoors. Maria, for example, never does anything considered unlucky. She always knocks on wood when someone says something bad. Her friend Tomas laughs, but Maria says, “It doesn’t hurt to be careful!”

Questions:

1. What do some people avoid?

2. What does Maria do when someone says something bad?

3. Does Tomas believe in superstitions?

4. What is Maria’s opinion?

Answers:

1. They avoid walking under ladders or opening umbrellas indoors.

2. She knocks on wood.

3. No, he laughs at them.

4. She thinks it’s good to be careful.