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SCMP Reporter

Do you believe it is possible for fortune tellers to know what the future holds for you? Or do you think it is just superstitious nonsense?   Today's edition of Practice Listening focuses on the future and horoscopes.

  According to Chinese tradition, we are now in the Year of the Tiger.

  If you believe in Chinese horoscopes you probably believe the Year of the Tiger will affect your luck.

  There are 12 signs in the Chinese horoscope. Which one are you - Tiger, Snake, Rabbit, Dragon, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Rat, Ox, Dog or Pig?   Practice Listening is aired every Thursday from 6.30 pm to 7 pm on RTHK Radio 4 97.6 - 98.9 MHz FM stereo. The answers to the listening tasks will be given over the air.

 Recently, in the South China Morning Post, Lee Ying-choi, an expert in reading the signs of the Chinese zodiac, gave his predictions for how the Year of the Tiger would affect the other signs. Listen and find out if you are one of the lucky ones.

  Task 1   Listen to his predictions for the Year of the Tiger.

  Put a circle around what he predicts:   Jobs: more; less   Speculation: do; don't   Hard work: advises; discourages   Stock market: will rise; will fall   Car accidents: fewer; more   Epidemics: none; high possibility  Task 2  Now listen to what he predicts about the luck of each sign. Listen and note down the numbers:  Sign - overall luck - career luck - financial luck  Tiger: '74,'86 - ... - ... - ...

  Snake: '77,'89 - ... - ... - ...

  Rabbit: '75,'87 - ... - ... - ...

 Horse: '78,'90 - ... - ... - ...

  Dragon: '76,'88 - ... - ... - ...

  Goat: '79,'91 - ... - ... - ...

  Monkey: '80,'92 - ... - ... - ...

  Rat: '72,'84 - ... - ... - ...

  Rooster: '81,'93 - ... - ... - ...

  Ox: '73,'85 - ... - ... - ...

  Dog: '70,'82 - ... - ... - ...

  Pig: '71.'83 - ... - ... - ...

  Now listen to more detailed predictions for people born in the Year of the Horse, that is: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978 and 1990.

  Tick the statements that are true: - Last year was a good year for Horse people   - Horses have sweet tempers   - Your luck will greatly improve this year   - Change your job this spring   - Change your job in summer   - You will make a lot of money   - You will have a broken heart   - Married people will have more babies   - You may get engaged   - Be cautious  Task 3  Now listen for predictions for people born in the Year of the Snake: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989.

  Tick the statements which are true and put a cross by those which are false:   - The Year of the Tiger is a good year for Snakes   - Snakes should listen carefully to gossip  - You will not make a lot of progress in your career this year   - Do not change your job   - Diversify your investments   - Your health will be good   - Lucky colours to wear are pink and blue   - It is a good year for female snakes to have babies  Task 4  Now listen for predictions about those born in the Year of the Pig: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995.

  Tick the statements which are true and put a cross by those which are false:   - This is the Pig's best year in a long time   - Try to avoid gambling   - The best Pig years were 1959 and 1983   - Just sit back and luck will come your way   - Share your good news with the whole world   - Go in for business investments with other Pigs.



Pigs, horses and snakes all at mercy of tiger