There are many superstitions in Britain, but one of the most (1) ______ held is that it is unlucky to walk under a ladder even if it means (2)______the pavement into a busy street! If you must pass under a ladder, you can avoid bad luck by crossing your fingers and keeping them crossed until you have seen a dog. (3) ______, you may lick your finger and make a cross on the toe of your shoe, and not look again at the shoe until the mark has dried. Another common superstition is that it is unlucky to open an umbrella in the house - it will either bring (4)______ to the person who opened it or to the whole (5) ______. Anyone opening an umbrella in the fine weather is unpopular, as it inevitably brings rain

Education is also important (1)_____ it helps people get more out of life. It increases their knowledge and understanding of the world. It helps them acquire the skills that make life more interesting and enjoyable, (2)_____ the skills needed to participate in a sport, paint a picture, or play a musical (3)_____. Such education becomes (4)___ important as people gain more and more leisure time. Education also helps people adjust to change. This habit has become necessary because social changes today take place with increasing speed and (5)______ the lives of more and more people. Education can help a person understand these changes and provide him with the skills for adjusting to them.

Unfortunately, diets don‘t work for most people. They do lose weight but then go off the diet and put it back. Building a sensible diet and exercise plan is the key (1)_____ maintaining a consistent weight. You need to figure out how many calories you need in a day and how many you actually (2)______. The next step is to add exercise (3)_____ you can raise the number of calories you can consume per day. Burning 250 or 500 calories per day can make a big (4)_____ . You can ride an exercise bike while you are watching television (5)______ you can take the stairs instead of the elevator. Find an exercise partner. Exercises can be a lot easier if there is someone to talk to. It‘s a good idea to wear firm-fitting clothes if you are on a diet. Tight clothing acts as a reminder of what you are trying to accomplish.

It helps them acquire the skills that make life more interesting and enjoyable, (2)_____ the skills needed to participate in a sport, paint a picture, or play a musical (3)_____.

Such education becomes (4)___ important as people gain more and more leisure time. Education also helps people adjust to change.v

This habit has become necessary because social changes today take place with increasing speed and (5)______ the lives of more and more people. Education can help a person understand these changes and provide him with the skills for adjusting to them.

There are a number of options when it refers to choosing childcare. These range from child minders and nannies through to Granny or the kind lady across the street. In reality, however, many parents do not have any choice; they have to accept anything they can get. Be prepared! No (1) _____ how good the childcare may be, some children are going to protest wildly if they are left. This is a (2) _____ normal stage of child development. Babies separate well in the first six months, but soon after that they start to get a crush on Mum and close family (3) _____. Make sure that in the first week, you allow plenty of time to help your child settle in. All children are different. Some are independent, while others are more (4) _____ to their mothers. Remember that if you want to do the best for your children, it’s not the quantity of time you spend with them; it’s the (5) _____ that matters

If you must pass under a ladder, you can avoid bad luck by crossing your fingers and keeping them crossed until you have seen a dog. (3) ______, you may lick your finger and make a cross on the toe of your shoe, and not look again at the shoe until the mark has dried.