There are many superstitions in Britain, but one of the most 【B1】 held is that it is unlucky to walk under a ladder — even if it means 【B2】 the pavement into a busy street! 【B3】 you must pass under a ladder you can 【B4】 bad luck by crossing your fingers and 【B5】 them crossed until you have seen a dog. 【B6】 , you may lick your finger and 【B7】 a cross on the toe of your shoe, and not look again at the shoe until the 【B8】 has dried. Another common 【B9】 is that it is unlucky to open an umbrella in the house — it will either bring 【B10】 to the person who opened it or to the whole 【B11】 . Anyone opening an umbrella in fine weather is 【B12】 , as it inevitably brings rain! The number 13 is said to be unlucky for some, and when the 13th day of the month 【B13】 on a Friday, anyone wishing to avoid a bad event had better stay 【B14】 . The worst misfortune that can happen to a person is caused by breaking a mirror, 【B15】 it brings seven years of bad luck! The superstition is supposed to 【B16】 in ancient times, when mirrors were considered to be tools of the gods.
Black cats are generally considered lucky in Britain, even though they are 【B17】 witchcraft. It is 【B18】 lucky if a black cat crosses your path — although in America the exact opposite belief prevails. Finally, a commonly held superstition is that of touching wood 【B19】 luck. This measure is most often taken if you think you have said something that is tempting fate, such as "my car has never 【B20】 , touch wood？"
【B1】

A. broadly
B. widely
C. quickly
D. speedily