Read the text and questions below. For each question choose the correct answer A, B, C or D.

Wedding superstitions are prevalent. Even if you don’t believe in all the other types of superstitions, it is a safe bet that no bride will be without something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue, when the big day arrives. In keeping with another of the wedding superstitions, the bride will also avoid seeing their fiancé on the morning of the wedding; but where do these old wedding superstitions come from? Some can be traced back to Roman & Anglo Saxon times, some to Victorian rhymes and others to folklore that has been passed down through countless generations. All of them however, are wedding superstitions that are to do with good luck and wealth!

The tradition of tying old shoes to the back of the couple's car, for example, is a wedding superstition which stems from Tudor times when guests would throw shoes at the Bride & Groom, with great luck being bestowed on them if they or their carriage were hit! In Anglo Saxon times the Bride was symbolically struck with a shoe by her Groom to establish his authority. Brides would then throw shoes at their bridesmaids, as another of the wedding superstitions, to see who would marry next. These wedding superstitions originated in a rhyme from Victorian times - 'Something Old' signifies that the couple's friends will stay with them. In one version of the tradition the 'Something Old' was an old garter which was given to the bride by a happily married woman so that the new bride would also enjoy a happy marriage. 'Something New' looks to the future for health, happiness and success. 'Something Borrowed' is an opportunity for the Bride's family to give her something as a token of their love (it must be returned to ensure Good Luck), and 'Something Blue' is thought lucky because Blue represents fidelity and constancy. These wedding superstitions began in ancient Israel where brides wore a blue ribbon in their hair to symbolize their fidelity.

There are so many wedding superstitions and traditions associated with weddings that its impossible to follow them all. Many wedding superstitions have changed over time, while others, thankfully, are very watered-down versions of old customs. Even the month of the year even has its own poem which has stood the test of time (for instance, “Married when the year is new, he'll be loving, kind and true”).

Coming home from Church is also very important. As one of the more general wedding superstitions, tradition dictates that the new wife must enter her home by the main door and, to avoid bad luck, must never trip or fall - hence the custom that a bride should be carried over the threshold.

1The main wedding superstition is observed by:

A superstitious people only.

B everyone.

C those who are going to have a church wedding.

D no one nowadays.

2In Anglo Saxon times there was a tradition:

A to hit the bride with a shoe.

B to present the bride with a shoe.

C to hit the bridesmaids with a shoe.

D to throw shoes at the bride and groom.

3Why is it a lucky omen to have something blue at the wedding?

A because the colour symbolizes love

B because the colour symbolizes fortune

C because the colour symbolizes happiness

D because the colour symbolizes faithfulness

4Which month of the year has a superstitious poem?

A winter months

B winter and summer months

C each month

D the first month of each season

5It is an omen of bad luck for the bride:

A to enter her home by the front door.

B to trip when entering her home.

C to be carried over the threshold.

D to be the first one to enter her home.