LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚

Pattern I

(subject) + told a white lie + [about something / to someone]

- used when someone tells a harmless or small lie to avoid hurting someone's feelings or to avoid minor trouble

Pattern II

(subject) + start/spread a rumor + (about something / someone)

- to create or circulate unverified information about someone or something, often resulting in gossip or misinformation

Pattern III

(subject) + have/has/had + a sneaking suspicion + that + (something)

- to have a vague, unconfirmed feeling that something might be true or happen

Pattern IV

(statement) + knock on wood

- is a superstitious expression used to prevent bad luck after mentioning something positive or hopeful

- people often tap on wood while saying it

Pattern V

(subject) + have/has/had serious misgivings + (about + something)

- to have serious doubts, concerns, or uncertainty about something, often regarding decisions, plans, or actions

Pattern VI

(subject) + had/was a stroke of luck + (in doing something / to do something)

- is used when something positive or fortunate happens unexpectedly

Pattern VII

(subject) + was/is a good/bad omen + (for something / in something)

- an omen is a sign or symbol believed to predict something good or bad in the future

Pattern VIII

(subject) + (verb) + beginner’s luck

- to describe the unexpected success of a beginner at something they are trying for the first time

Pattern IX

(subject) + has/had an unshakable belief + (in/that + something)

- refers to a strong, unwavering conviction or belief in something, regardless of evidence or doubt from others

LET'S READ! 📖

Direction: Read the conversation below. Then, exchange roles with your mentor.

LET'S PRACTICE! 📝

A. Match each phrase to the correct example.

A	B
1. told a white lie	a. I really doubt this plan will work, and I’m not sure if we should go ahead with it.
2. start/spread a rumor	b. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, so I said I loved the gift, even though I didn't.
3. have a sneaking suspicion	c. I’m not sure, but I feel like something isn't right about this situation.
4. knock on wood	d. Sarah passed her driving test on the first try, even though she never practiced much.
5. have serious misgivings	e. People were gossiping that the teacher was quitting, but it wasn’t true.
6. stroke of luck	f. After saying I’ve never been sick this year, I quickly knocked on the table.
7. good/bad omen	g. The black cat crossing my path made me feel uneasy all day.
8. beginner's luck	h. Against all odds, we found the lost keys on the beach just minutes before sunset.
9. unshakable belief	i. No matter what happens, I believe in him 100% and know he’ll succeed.

B. Direction: Complete each sentence below by adding a logical ending. Try to make the sentence as natural as possible.

1. I didn't want to hurt his feelings, so I told a white lie and said .

2. People started to spread a rumor that .

3. I have a sneaking suspicion that .

4. After talking about how I’ve never had an injury, I immediately knocked on wood because .

5. Seeing a black cat cross my path felt like a bad omen, so I decided to .

6. Even though everyone doubted him, he had an unshakable belief that .

LET'S TALK! 🗣️

Direction: Answer these questions about yourself.

1. Have you ever witnessed someone start or spread a rumor? How did it affect the people involved?
2. Can you think of a time when you told a white lie to avoid hurting someone’s feelings? How did it turn out?
3. Do you believe in good or bad omens? Have you ever experienced something you thought was an omen?
4. Have you ever experienced beginner's luck when trying something new for the first time? What was it?
5. What’s an unshakable belief you hold about life, people, or success? Where do you think it comes from?