填空题

Superstition is a difficult question. We cannot quite say that superstition in Britain is dead. Its history is both (76) long and too recent for that, and indeed you will find many relics of it in modern Britain. But they are only relics connected chiefly with vague notions of good luck and (77) luck. It is unlucky, for instance, to walk under a ladder, or to spill salt, or break a mirror, or to have (78) to do with number 13; whereas a horseshoe brings good (79) , and people jokingly "touch wood" (80) prevent the return of a past misfortune. There are still many strange country remedies against sickness (81) are obviously superstitious. But the real measure of superstition is fear. In this (82) there is no superstition in Britain. British people as a whole do (83) believe in evil influences or evil spirits. Sickness and misfortune are not the (84) of witchcraft, but of dirt or chance or foolishness or inefficiency Witches belong (85) to history books.