(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本:
Picture this scene: you are walking home and there is a black cat on the path in front of you.
想象一下这个场景:你走在回家的路上,突然一只黑猫出现在前方 。
Does it make you feel scared stiff? Perhaps it might make you feel lucky?
你会不会被吓傻了?还是你会感觉自己交好运了?
Putting a hat on the bed could cause evil spirits to slip into your dean sheets! And opening an umbrella indoors might bring untold punishments.
把帽子放在床上,你可能会被幽灵纠缠!在房间打开伞可能会招致某种惩罚 。
Most superstitions are linked to something negative, or the thought that something will bring bad luck.
大部分的迷信都和不好的事情或厄运相关 。
One of the most terrifying and long-believed of all superstitions is that breaking a mirror will bring seven years of bad luck.
流传最久、最令人畏惧的一个迷信直说就是,打碎一面镜子会带来7年的霉运 。
In ancient Greek, Roman and Chinese cultures, many people held the belief that a mirror reflected a person's soul.
在古希腊、罗马和中华文明中,很多人相信镜子反应着一个人的灵魂 。
If the mirror was broken, the soul would be harmed too; and the person would be frightened out of their wits.
镜子碎了,灵魂也受到创伤,人也会因惊吓而失去理智 。
Black cats have long been linked to luck.
人们长久以来将黑猫与运气联系在一起 。
In continental Europe, the animals were thought to be shape-shifters, or witches' minions.
在欧洲大陆,人们认为黑猫是巫师可以移形换影的宠物 。
If one crossed your path, it was sure to bring you ill fortune or even death.
遇到黑猫必定意味着霉运甚至死亡 。
But, in the UK and Ireland, it's generally considered to be a sign of future prosperity if a black cat crosses your path.
但是在英国和爱尔兰,如果遇到黑猫那就代表着你将有好事发生 。
Superstitions have been found in a wide range of cultures for thousands of years, but research suggests that many of these beliefs can still be found in modern societies.
在很多国家,迷信已经存在了几千年 。但是调查显示当代社会中仍然能找到它们的残留 。
Dr. Kevin Foster, from Harvard University, believes it is an example of humans interpreting and reacting to threats.
哈佛大学的凯文?福斯特博士认为,这是人类面对危险的一种理解和反应方式 。
So, if these threats are likely to be "incorrect", why are people still so superstitious?
既然如此,如果这些“危险”都是“不科学”的,为什么人们还要迷信呢?
Well, it seems many people would prefer to be better safe than sorry.
啊,人们好像觉得小心一点比后悔好吧 。
16. What do people believe opening an umbrella indoors will bring?
16.人们认为在房间撑雨伞会有什么后果?
17. What makes people believe that breaking a mirror will cause long-time bad luck?
17.人们为什么会认为打碎镜子会带来长时间的厄运?
18. Why are people still superstitious in modern societies?
18.当代社会人们为什么还是迷信?