GRADE 8 THE SUPERNATURAL

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

GRADE 8 - THE SUPERNATURAL

Society and livingstandards

Personal values andideals

The world of work

The supernatural

Nationalenvironmentalconcerns

Public figures

Vocabulary

ALTERNATIVEBELIEFS

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 sensoryperception (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 alternativebeliefs are usually held by minorities.

Among the most common alternative beliefs are those involving mediums andclairvoyants.

Mediums claim to have psychic powers and extra sensory perception. Theyinvite people to special meetings called seances where they demonstrate theirability to talk to the dead and convey their messages to the living.

Clairvoyants claim to foresee events and have been known to offer theirservices both to famous politicians and members of royal families. There aremany biblical examples of fortune-telling including premonitions such asJoseph's dream. Cynics maintain that accurate predictions result from the lawsof 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 ...youknow what I mean ... they give you half a horoscope and a telephonenumber. If you want the interesting half you are charged 48 pence perminute!

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 ofbirth, not just their star sign.

A: Well, even so, why should the exact positions of the Sun, Moon and otherplanets on your date of birth have any connection whatsoever with yourpersonality and the future course of your life?

B: I suppose it's all part of your total environment. Scientists don't understandeverything, 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 wecall 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?

personales.mundivia.esGRADE 8 THE SUPERNATURAL