This is a custom that dates back to the ancient celts Chris: Sue, do you know why people say, "knock on wood"when they want to avoid bad luck? Susan: It sounds a bit funny. As far as I know, it has a lot to do with ancient Celtic ople. They worshipped trees Chris: Sound s interesting Susan: They thoughts trees would suck demons back into the ground Chris: Well, when you think about the deep roots, their belief seems to make some Susan: What's more, knock ing on wood was a way to brag without being punished eople once thought that evil spirits would become jealous if good fortune was pointed out to them Chris: Uh, yes, go on Susan: well, by knocking on wood three times, the noise could frightened away the evil spirits, and they couldn t have to rob the braggart of that good fortune Chris: I'm afraid those who dont know this superstition might be frightened away as well Susan: Now here's a test. Do you know how the custom of kissing under the Chris: I haven 't the slightest idea. but i'm all ears Susan: Again this is a custom that dates back to the ancient Celts, Since they worshipped trees, they conducted many of their ceremonies in the woods in the shade of trees Chris: Now I see. Probably it's under these mistletoe trees that weddings took place Susan: I wish you were stand ing under some mistletoe right now Chris: Luckily I'm not. Touch wood MODEL2 IS there any relationship between superstitions and real life? Script Chris: It's strange that so many people are superstitious. There must be some relationship between superstitions and real life Susan: You know, Richard Wiseman, a British psychologist researched the relationship between superstition 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 talisman5 This is a custom that dates back to the ancient Celts. Chris: Sue, do you know why people say, “knock on wood” when they want to avoid bad luck? Susan: It sounds a bit funny. As far as I know, it has a lot to do with ancient Celtic people. They worshipped trees. Chris: Sounds interesting. Susan: They thoughts trees would suck demons back into the ground. Chris: Well, when you think about the deep roots, their belief seems to make some senses. Susan: What’s more, knocking on wood was a way to brag without being punished. People once thought that evil spirits would become jealous if good fortune was pointed out to them Chris: Uh, yes, go on. Susan: well, by knocking on wood three times, the noise could frightened away the evil spirits, and they couldn’t have to rob the braggart of that good fortune Chris: I’m afraid those who don’t know this superstition might be frightened away as well. Susan: Now here’s a test. Do you know how the custom of kissing under the mistletoe originated? Chris: I haven’t the slightest idea, but I’m all ears. Susan: Again this is a custom that dates back to the ancient Celts. Since they worshipped trees, they conducted many of their ceremonies in the woods in the shade of trees. Chris: Now I see. Probably it’s under these mistletoe trees that weddings took place. Susan: I wish you were standing under some mistletoe right now. Chris: Luckily I’m not. Touch wood. MODEL2 Is there any relationship between superstitions and real life? Script Chris: It’s strange that so many people are superstitious. There must be some relationship between superstitions and real life. Susan: You know, Richard Wiseman, a British psychologist researched the relationship between superstition 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 talisman