Luck
1. Watch the video. What's the main message of the story? What do we learn from it?
2. Watch the video and answer the questions.
- What do Jinxy Jenkins and Lucky Lou look like?
- What does the proverb "opposites attract" mean?
- How do the design elements in the film help to show who the characters are?
- How do the characters feel when they are rolling down the hills of San Francisco in an ice cream cart?
- How does their meeting change their lives? Describe the last scene.
- Have you ever met exceedingly unlucky or eternally lucky people? Would YOU like to be eternally lucky?
Luck
Vocabulary/ Expressions
3. Read the idioms in context. Match them with their definitions.
1. fall into one's lap Your aunt has decided to get a new car, so her old one might fall into your lap.
2. strike while the iron is hot The price of property has dropped. It's a good time to buy. You should strike while the iron is hot.
3. touch wood/knock on wood The order will be confirmed shortly - touch wood!
4. get easy money When startups became popular, many capable engineers were quick to jump on the bandwagon and get easy money.
5. luck of the devil I had the luck of the devil to find the job I love.
6. that ship has sailed Is the offer still open?' 'Sorry, that ship has sailed – you missed your chance!'
7. have a lucky/narrow escape Sandra nearly fell off the cliff. She had a lucky escape, that's for sure.
8. beginner's luck I got two strikes in a row, but that's just beginner's luck.
9. cross one's fingers/(keep your) fingers crossed I studied for the exam for two weeks, so I hope I got a good grade on it. Fingers crossed!
2. strike while the iron is hot The price of property has dropped. It's a good time to buy. You should strike while the iron is hot.
3. touch wood/knock on wood The order will be confirmed shortly - touch wood!
4. get easy money When startups became popular, many capable engineers were quick to jump on the bandwagon and get easy money.
5. luck of the devil I had the luck of the devil to find the job I love.
6. that ship has sailed Is the offer still open?' 'Sorry, that ship has sailed – you missed your chance!'
7. have a lucky/narrow escape Sandra nearly fell off the cliff. She had a lucky escape, that's for sure.
8. beginner's luck I got two strikes in a row, but that's just beginner's luck.
9. cross one's fingers/(keep your) fingers crossed I studied for the exam for two weeks, so I hope I got a good grade on it. Fingers crossed!
A. an expression of hope for good luck or that something will happen
B. extremely good luck or fortune
С. A particular opportunity has passed by and now it's too late.
D. You act immediately because now is the ideal time to do it.
E. It happens to you without any effort on your part
F. unusual success that you have when you start doing something new
G. money earned without much effort
H. is used to avoid bad luck, often while touching something made of wood
I. to avoid risk or danger because you were lucky
B. extremely good luck or fortune
С. A particular opportunity has passed by and now it's too late.
D. You act immediately because now is the ideal time to do it.
E. It happens to you without any effort on your part
F. unusual success that you have when you start doing something new
G. money earned without much effort
H. is used to avoid bad luck, often while touching something made of wood
I. to avoid risk or danger because you were lucky
1.fall into one's lap Your aunt has decided to get a new car, so her old one might fall into your lap..
A. an expression of hope for good luck or that something will happen
2.strike while the iron is hot The price of property has dropped. It's a good time to buy. You should strike while the iron is hot.
B. extremely good luck or fortune
3.touch wood/knock on wood The order will be confirmed shortly - touch wood!
С. A particular opportunity has passed by and now it's too late.
4. get easy money When startups became popular, many capable engineers were quick to jump on the bandwagon and get easy money.
D. You act immediately because now is the ideal time to do it.
5.uck of the devil I had the luck of the devil to find the job I love.
E. It happens to you without any effort on your part,
6.that ship has sailed Is the offer still open?' 'Sorry, that ship hassailed – you missed your chance!'
F. unusual success that you have when you start doing something new
7.have a lucky/narrow escape Sandra nearly fell off the cliff. She had a lucky escape, that's for sure.
G. money earned without much effort
8.beginner's luck I got two strikes in a row, but that's just beginner's luck.
H. is used to avoid bad luck, often while touching something made of wood
9.cross one's fingers/(keep your) fingers crossed I studied for the exam for two weeks, so I hope I got a good grade on it. Fingers crossed!
I. to avoid risk or danger because you were lucky
Cross one's fingers: the origin and the meaning:
This theory may or may not be true but few historians vouch for this reason. It was stated that when Christianity was at its baby stage, it was banned and outlawed. Severe consequences befell individuals who followed this religion. Because of this, followers were forced into secrecy and they developed signs and certain symbols which helped them to acknowledge each other. Crossed fingers was one of those signs.
This theory may or may not be true but few historians vouch for this reason. It was stated that when Christianity was at its baby stage, it was banned and outlawed. Severe consequences befell individuals who followed this religion. Because of this, followers were forced into secrecy and they developed signs and certain symbols which helped them to acknowledge each other. Crossed fingers was one of those signs.
1 - E, 2 - D, 3 - H, 4 - G, 5 - B, 6 - C, 7 - I, 8 - F, 9 - A.
4. Match the words/phrases with the pictures.
A. strike while the iron is hot, B. fall into one's lap, C. touch wood/knock on wood, D. get easy money, E. uck of the devil, F. that ship has sailed, G. have a lucky escape, H. beginner's luck, I. cross one's fingers
A. strike while the iron is hot, B. fall into one's lap, C. touch wood/knock on wood, D. get easy money, E. uck of the devil, F. that ship has sailed, G. have a lucky escape, H. beginner's luck, I. cross one's fingers
Cover the phrases and look at the pictures. Test yourself or a partner.
7. CONVERSATION questions.
- Do you believe in luck?
- Do you have any objects that are said to bring good luck, such as a lucky coin, etc.?
- When was your luckiest moment?
- Which do you think is more important: luck or hard work?
- Do you have any gestures to wish someone good luck?
- Do certain objects mean good or bad luck in your culture? Do you believe in "creating your own luck"?
- Are there any actions that can bring bad luck (e.g., breaking a mirror, spilling salt, etc)?
- Do you believe that some numbers, days or dates are lucky or unlucky?
- Do you think successful people are lucky?
- Would you say you're a lucky person?
