Where Superstitions Come From - Name - Solve the problems and answer the questions

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by moss~

Reading passage and question worksheet explaining common superstitions and where they originate. It includes examples such as avoiding ladders, fears about standing under them, and the belief that breaking mirrors brings seven years of bad luck. The worksheet also covers beliefs about knocking on wood, using horseshoes for luck, and why people continue to trust superstitions. Multiple-choice questions check understanding of definitions, causes, effects on memory, and specific details from the passage.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Where Superstitions Come From

Comprehension Questions (1-10)

Picture yourself walking down a sidewalk when you spot a tall ladder leaning against a wall. Do you duck under it, or do you step around it instead? Millions of people walk the long way, all because of a superstition, which is a belief that doing one thing will bring good or bad luck. These beliefs are everywhere, and many of them are far older than your great-great-grandparents. That ladder you avoided actually hides an old story. Long ago, some people said a ladder leaning against a wall made a triangle shape, and they believed triangles were special, so walking through one seemed like bad luck. Others just knew a plain truth: standing under a ladder is a great way to get a paint can dropped on your head! Sometimes a superstition begins as good common sense before it turns into a spooky rule. Common sense also hides behind the fear of breaking a mirror. People once believed a mirror held a piece of your spirit, so cracking one meant seven long years of bad luck. Back then, mirrors were made of polished metal or costly glass, so breaking one really was a small disaster for your wallet. No wonder folks wanted to blame bad luck instead of their own clumsy elbows! Not every superstition is about avoiding trouble, though. Have you ever knocked on wood after saying something hopeful? Some people long ago believed helpful spirits lived inside trees, so tapping the wood was a way to say thank you or ask for a little help. Others hung a horseshoe above a door with the ends pointing up, like a cup, so the good luck would not spill out. So why do smart people keep believing these things today? Scientists say superstitions make us feel like we have control when we are nervous, such as before a big test or game. We also remember the times a lucky charm seemed to work and quietly forget all the times it did not. That means a horseshoe gets the credit and never has to take the blame, which is a pretty good deal for apiece of metal! Where Superstitions Come From Name: | Solve each problem.
Use the article to answer the question.
1) What is a superstition, according to the passage?
A. A rule that keeps people safe on busy sidewalks
B. A belief that doing one thing will bring good or bad luck
C. A holiday celebrated in many different countries
D. A story that grown-ups tell to frighten children | | | | | Answers
1.
2.
3. | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2) How does forgetting affect our belief in lucky charms?
A. We remember the times a charm worked and forget the times it did not
B. We forget where we first got the lucky charm
C. We remember only the charms that other people used
D. We remember every time a charm failed to help us | | | | | 4.
5.
6. | | | | | | | 3) What practical reason did the passage give for not standing under a ladder?
A. The triangle shape could block the sidewalk
B. A worker might need to climb down quickly
C. The ladder might tip over into the street
D. A paint can could be dropped on your head | | | | | 7.
8.
9.
10. | | | | | | | 4) According to scientists, why do people keep believing in superstitions?
A. They make us feel like we have control when we are nervous
B. They are proven to change the outcome of games
C. They are taught in schools all around the world
D. They are cheaper than buying a real lucky charm | | | | | | | | | | | | 5) How was a horseshoe hung so that good luck would not spill out?
A. With the ends pointing down, like a rainbow
B. Flat against the door, like a plate
C. Beside a mirror, like a picture frame
D. With the ends pointing up, like a cup | | | | | | | | | | | | 6) Why did some people think walking under a ladder was unlucky?
A. The ladder reminded them of a broken mirror's shape
B. The ladder was often used by workers who feared bad luck
C. The leaning ladder

FAQs

What is a superstition according to the passage?

A superstition is a belief that doing one thing will bring good or bad luck.

How do forgetting and remembering affect belief in lucky charms?

People remember the times a charm seemed to work and quietly forget the times it did not, so the charm gets credit.

Why do scientists say people keep believing in superstitions?

Scientists say superstitions help people feel like they have control when they are nervous, such as before a big test or game.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by moss~