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IELTS Listening Part 4

The document discusses the origins of common superstitions and whether they have any factual basis. It describes experiments that found superstitions like a black cat crossing one's path do not actually affect outcomes. However, some people do seem luckier than others due to their behaviors. Wiseman's research revealed lucky people are more open, relaxed, and experience more variety in life, allowing them to notice unexpected opportunities. His "luck school" showed changing one's outlook can increase good fortune. [/SUMMARY]

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Uriel Moreno
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1K views6 pages

IELTS Listening Part 4

The document discusses the origins of common superstitions and whether they have any factual basis. It describes experiments that found superstitions like a black cat crossing one's path do not actually affect outcomes. However, some people do seem luckier than others due to their behaviors. Wiseman's research revealed lucky people are more open, relaxed, and experience more variety in life, allowing them to notice unexpected opportunities. His "luck school" showed changing one's outlook can increase good fortune. [/SUMMARY]

Uploaded by

Uriel Moreno
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Do you think that some people are naturally more lucky than others?

Do you
believe that you are significantly more or less lucky than other people? These
are questions that have interested humans for centuries, and certainly, the
large number of superstitions, lucky charms and talismans which have
prevailed through history in civilisations across the world would suggest that
humans have an almost innate belief in the power of luck. The superstitions
we have today have long histories. The number 13 is considered unlucky
because that was the number of people at the table at Jesus Christs last
supper. Touching wood comes from pagan rituals of imbibing the powers of
tree Gods. Many people do not walk under ladders. This superstition does
not come from the notion that a bucket of paint may drop on your head as
you pass underneath. Rather, the shape of the ladder against the wall forms
the shape of a triangle, which was thought to represent the symbol of the
Holy Trinity and passing through it would break these powerful bounds and
bring ill fortune.

But do these superstitions really have an effect? Many researchers have


pondered this and all have found that superstitions have no effect on
peoples fortunes. One of these experiments was conducted by a New York
high school student and superstition sceptic, Mark Levin, who decided to test
the notion that a black cat walking across your path would change your luck
either to the better or to the worse. To find out, he asked two people to
play a simple coin tossing game. Then, a black cat was encouraged to walk
across their path, and the participants played the game once more, and the
results were analysed. As a control, the experiment was repeated using a
white cat, to test whether the fortunes of the players was any different using
a black or a white cat. Unsurprisingly, neither the white nor the black cat
affected the results of the coin tossing game. Other experiments involving
broken mirrors and walking under ladders have shown similar results.

But even though superstitions have no effect on our lives, some people really
do seem to be luckier than others. Take Barnett Helzberg Junior for example.
This man had built up a successful chain of jewellery stores, but was ready to
sell up his business and retire. One day, he was walking in the street and
heard a woman call Hello Mr Buffett! Helzberg wondered whether the Mr
Buffet in question could be the famous investor Warren Buffett. If it was,
then he may well be interested in buying his company. Helzberg decided to
take the chance, and approached the man. The meeting proved to be
fortuitous, as about a year later, Buffett bought Helzbergs stores, and all
because he happened to overhear a woman calling his name!

Professor Richard Wiseman decided to test what it was that made some
people seemingly luckier than others. He invited people who considered
themselves either lucky or unlucky to participate in a number of experiments.
Over the years of his study, he asked his volunteers to complete diaries, take
part in interviews and intelligence tests. He found that peoples behaviour
and approach to life are the primary cause of their level of luck in life.

In one experiment, he asked both lucky and unlucky people to count the
number of pictures in a newspaper. On one page of the newspaper was
written the words Stop counting tell the experimenter you have seen this
and win $250. It was found that lucky people saw this headline while
unlucky people did not. Did this experiment show that some people are
therefore luckier than others? Or does it show that their behaviour is
different? This and other tests revealed that unlucky people tend to be more
anxious than lucky people, and this anxiety means that people are fixated on
one thing and less able to notice the unexpected. Lucky people are more
relaxed and open, and therefore see opportunities beyond those that they
are looking for. Wiseman also noticed that lucky people have more variety
and change in their lives, and this in turn increases the potential for chance
opportunities in peoples lives.

So is it possible to change peoples luck by changing their outlook? Wiseman


says yes. He created a luck school in which he explained how lucky people
create good fortune in their lives and gave them some exercises to do, such
as breaking their everyday routines, and dealing with bad luck in a more
positive way. The results were dramatic. A high number of people were
happier and more satisfied in their lives. Some had found romantic partners
through chance encounters, and others had had lucky breaks at work.

So overall, Wisemans research in the field of luck has revealed that although
there seems to be no truth behind superstitions, some people really are
luckier than others, and this is mostly down to our thoughts and behaviour,
and proves that by changing these, we can actually increase the amount of
luck we experience in our lives.
Questions 1-3.
Complete the table. Write no more than three words in each space.

The Origin of Superstitions

(1) Represents the people dining at


Christs last supper

(2) Represents taking power from Tree


Gods
walking under a ladder The ladder forms a (3)
which represents the Holy Trinity.
Questions 4-6
Complete the Summary below. Write no more than three words in each
space.

Student Mark Levin wanted to test whether a having a (4) walk


across your path brings good or bad luck. He invited people to play a game
which involved (5) . The cat was encouraged to walk across their
path, and the players continued with their game. As a control, Mark repeated
the experiment with a (6) . Results showed that the superstition
had no effect on the game.
7. The story of Barnett Helzberg illustrates that:

The success of Helzbergs jewellery stores was due to luck


Helzbergs luck started with a chance meeting
It was lucky that Helzberg recognised Warren Buffett

8. In his newspaper experiment, Wiseman noticed that...

Lucky people really are luckier than unlucky people


Some unlucky people are luckier than they think they are.
There was no difference between the results of lucky people and unlucky
people

9. Wiseman concluded that lucky people...

Are more anxious than unlucky people


Have more varied lives than unlucky people
Are more fixed on their goals than lucky people

10. Wisemans work shows that...

There is some truth in superstitions


It is possible to learn how to be lucky
There are no lucky people and unlucky people

Questions 1-3.
Complete the table. Write no more than three words in each space.

The Origin of Superstitions

(1) Represents the people dining at


Christs last supper

(2) Represents taking power from Tree


Gods
walking under a ladder The ladder forms a (3)
which represents the Holy Trinity.
Questions 4-6
Complete the Summary below. Write no more than three words in each
space.
Student Mark Levin wanted to test whether a having a (4) walk
across your path brings good or bad luck. He invited people to play a game
which involved (5) . The cat was encouraged to walk across their
path, and the players continued with their game. As a control, Mark repeated
the experiment with a (6) . Results showed that the superstition
had no effect on the game.
7. The story of Barnett Helzberg illustrates that: Correct

The success of Helzbergs jewellery stores was due to luck


Helzbergs luck started with a chance meeting
It was lucky that Helzberg recognised Warren Buffett

8. In his newspaper experiment, Wiseman noticed that... Correct

Lucky people really are luckier than unlucky people


Some unlucky people are luckier than they think they are.
There was no difference between the results of lucky people and unlucky
people

9. Wiseman concluded that lucky people... Correct

Are more anxious than unlucky people


Have more varied lives than unlucky people
Are more fixed on their goals than lucky people

10. Wisemans work shows that... Correct

There is some truth in superstitions


It is possible to learn how to be lucky
There are no lucky people and unlucky people

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