GRADE 8 THE SUPERNATURAL

http://personales.mundivia.es/rod/grade8/supernatural.htm[05/08/2014 17:14:23]

GRADE 8 - THE SUPERNATURAL

Society and living
standards
Personal values and
ideals
The world of work
The supernatural
National
environmental
concerns
Public figures

Vocabulary
ALTERNATIVE
BELIEFS
Vocabulary Find the "odd one out".
There may be more than one answer. Give your reasons .
A B C
1. astrology atronomy fortune-telling
2. a star sign a horoscope a planet
3. to forsee to predict to convey
4. extra sensory
perception (ESP)
telepathy psychic power
5. a personality an appearance a character
6. phenomena happenings seances
7. a premonition a prediction a dream
MINI TOPIC
Conventional beliefs are the ones which most people share, but alternative
beliefs are usually held by minorities.
Among the most common alternative beliefs are those involving mediums and
clairvoyants.
Mediums claim to have psychic powers and extra sensory perception. They
invite people to special meetings called seances where they demonstrate their
ability to talk to the dead and convey their messages to the living.
Clairvoyants claim to foresee events and have been known to offer their
services both to famous politicians and members of royal families. There are
many biblical examples of fortune-telling including premonitions such as
J oseph's dream. Cynics maintain that accurate predictions result from the laws
of probability and do not provide proof of special powers.
Dialogue
GRADE 8 THE SUPERNATURAL
http://personales.mundivia.es/rod/grade8/supernatural.htm[05/08/2014 17:14:23]
A: Do you believe in horoscopes?
B: I certainly don't believe in the ones you see in the popular press ...you
know what I mean ... they give you half a horoscope and a telephone
number. If you want the interesting half you are charged 48 pence per
minute!
A: They could still be true. Everybody has to earn a living!
B: Yes, but a serious astrologer would want to know a person's exact date of
birth, not just their star sign.
A: Well, even so, why should the exact positions of the Sun, Moon and other
planets on your date of birth have any connection whatsoever with your
personality and the future course of your life?
B: I suppose it's all part of your total environment. Scientists don't understand
everything, but they often observe links between certain phenomena.
A: In that case, would you describe astrology as a science?
B: It depends who's doing it. A: You could say that about a lot of things we
call sciences.
Discussion questions
1. Do you think there is intelligent life on other planets?
2. Some people claim to have seen UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects)
such as flying saucers. Do you believe them?
3. What is your opinion of people who say that they can communicate
with spirits? Have you ever taken part in a seance?
4. Do you know anybody with psychic powers or extra sensory perception?
5. Do you believe in telepathy? Is there another person in the world
with whom you have a special understanding?
6. Would you ever visit an astrologer for a forecast of how your life
will run in the future?
7. What does your star sign tell you about your personality and your
compatibility with other people?
8. Do you believe in other forms of fortune-telling such as
palmistry?
tarot cards?
reading teacups?