新视野大学英语视听说教程 4 Unit 6-7

MODEL2 Is there any relationship between superstitions² and real life?
Script
Chris: It’s strange that so many people are superstitious³. There must be some relationship between superstitions and real life.
Susan: You know, Richard Wiseman, a British psychologist researched the relationship between superstition¹ and luck.
Chris: What did he find? Most people would be interested. At least I would
Susan: He polled ,000 people and fond that people who believe themselves to be lucky tend to go for positive superstitions .They may wear a ring as a talisman⁴ or often say,” touch wood” for good luck.
Chris: Then, what about the unlucky people? Do you mean if they think they ate unlucky, they tend to believe in superstitions abut⁵ bad luck.
Susan: Yeah. They worry a lot about a broken mirror, a black cat running across their path, and so on.
Chris:  So what is his point?
Susan: His point is that people make their own luck by their attitude to life. So, 49 percent of lucky people regularly cross their fingers, compared to 30 percent of unlucky people. And only 18 percent of lucky people are anxious if they break a mirror.
Chris: So, our fate is linked to our attitude rather than to our superstitions.
Susan: I think that’s what he is suggesting.
Chris: This research seems too complicates⁶. If I were a psychologist, I would conduct a survey to find whether 13 really is an unlucky number. I f there ere traffic accidents or murders on the 13th than on other days, then we have to believe in superstitions.
Susan: What if there weren’t?
Chris: Then I wouldn’t be superstitious.
Susan: What a brilliant idea! I never expected you to be as wise as Solomon.
Chris: Well as long as you don’t think I’m a fool.

1 superstition   

n.迷信，迷信行为

参考例句：

• It's a common superstition that black cats are unlucky.认为黑猫不吉祥是一种很普遍的迷信。
• Superstition results from ignorance.迷信产生于无知。

2 superstitions   

迷信，迷信行为( superstition的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Old superstitions seem incredible to educated people. 旧的迷信对于受过教育的人来说是不可思议的。
• Do away with all fetishes and superstitions. 破除一切盲目崇拜和迷信。

3 superstitious   

adj.迷信的

参考例句：

• They aim to deliver the people who are in bondage to superstitious belief.他们的目的在于解脱那些受迷信束缚的人。
• These superstitious practices should be abolished as soon as possible.这些迷信做法应尽早取消。

4 talisman   

n.避邪物，护身符

参考例句：

• It was like a talisman worn in bosom.它就象佩在胸前的护身符一样。
• Dress was the one unfailling talisman and charm used for keeping all things in their places.冠是当作保持品位和秩序的一种万应灵符。

5 abut   

v.接界，毗邻

参考例句：

• The two lots are abut together.那两块地毗连着。
• His lands abut on the motorway.他的土地毗邻高速公路。

6 complicates   

使复杂化( complicate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• What complicates the issue is the burden of history. 历史的重负使问题复杂化了。
• Russia as a great and ambitious power gravely complicates the situation. 俄国作为一个强大而有野心的国家，使得局势异常复杂。