There are many superstitions in Britain, but one of the most【C1】_____held is that it is unlucky to walk under a ladder—even if it means【C2】_____the pavement into a busy street!

【C3】_____you must pass under a ladder you can【C4】__bad luck by crossing your fingers and【C5】__them crossed until you have seen a dog.【C6】__, you may lick your finger and【C7】__a cross on the toe of your shoe, and not look again at the shoe until the【C8】_____has dried.

Another common【C9】_____is that it is unlucky to open an umbrella in the house—it will either bring 【C10】__to the person who opened it or to the whole【C11】__. Anyone opening an umbrella in fine weather is 【C12】_____, as it inevitably brings rain!

The number 13 is said to be unlucky for some, and when the 13th day of the month【C13】_____on a Friday, anyone wishing to avoid a bad event had better stay【C14】__. The worst misfortune that can happen to a person is caused by breaking a mirror, 【C15】__it brings seven years of bad luck! The superstition is supposed to【C16】_____ in ancient times, when mirrors were considered to be tools of the gods.

Black cats are generally considered lucky in Britain, even though they are【C17】_____witchcraft. It is【C18】_____ lucky if a black cat crosses your path—although in America the exact opposite belief prevails.

Finally, a commonly held superstition is that of touching wood【C19】_____luck. This measure is most often taken if you think you have said something that is tempting fate, such as “my car has never【C20】_____, touch wood?”

【C7】