specific actions and behaviors, such as wearing lucky clothes or charms.
16 famous athletes often display superstitious behaviors. basketball legend michael jordan wore his lucky north carolina shorts under his chicago bulls uniform. tennis legend björn borg reportedly wore the same brand of shirt when preparing for wimbledon.
17 rafael nadal performs a lot of rituals each time he plays tennis. he is specific about how he places his water bottles, and he takes freezing cold showers. nadal believes these rituals help him find focus and flow and perform well.
walking under ladders
18 all this shows that superstitions can provide reassurance¹ and help reduce anxiety in some people. while this may well be true, research has also shown that superstitions can be self - reinforcing. the superstitious behavior creates a habit, and failure to perform that habit can actually result in more anxiety.
19 this is the case even though the actual outcome of an event or situation is still dependent on known factors instead of unknown, supernatural⁴ ones. the principle of “the harder you work (or practice), the luckier you get” can apply here.
20 so the next time you break a mirror, see a black cat, or encounter the number 13, dont worry too much about “bad luck.” its most likely just a trick of the mind.
article adapted and printed with permission from the authors, neil dagnall, reader in applied cognitive psychology, manchester metropolitan university and ken drinkwater, senior lecturer and researcher in cognitive and forensic psychology, manchester metropolitan university.
¹ rational: based on or in accordance with reason or logic
² angst: (count) a feeling of deep anxiety or dread, typically an unfocused one about the human condition or state of the world in general
³ unfounded: not based on or supported by
⁴ supernatural: (adjective) attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature

what is the relationship between paragraphs 18 - 20 in the text’s structure?
- paragraph 20 contrasts the findings that are presented in paragraphs 18 - 19.
- paragraph 20 provides a solution to the issues raised in paragraphs 18 - 19.
- paragraph 20 presents the effects more research will have on the superstitions listed in paragraphs 18 - 19.
- paragraph 20 describes a new topic which is unrelated to paragraphs 18 - 19.

Question

specific actions and behaviors, such as wearing lucky clothes or charms.
16 famous athletes often display superstitious behaviors. basketball legend michael jordan wore his lucky north carolina shorts under his chicago bulls uniform. tennis legend björn borg reportedly wore the same brand of shirt when preparing for wimbledon.
17 rafael nadal performs a lot of rituals each time he plays tennis. he is specific about how he places his water bottles, and he takes freezing cold showers. nadal believes these rituals help him find focus and flow and perform well.
walking under ladders
18 all this shows that superstitions can provide reassurance¹ and help reduce anxiety in some people. while this may well be true, research has also shown that superstitions can be self - reinforcing. the superstitious behavior creates a habit, and failure to perform that habit can actually result in more anxiety.
19 this is the case even though the actual outcome of an event or situation is still dependent on known factors instead of unknown, supernatural⁴ ones. the principle of “the harder you work (or practice), the luckier you get” can apply here.
20 so the next time you break a mirror, see a black cat, or encounter the number 13, dont worry too much about “bad luck.” its most likely just a trick of the mind.
article adapted and printed with permission from the authors, neil dagnall, reader in applied cognitive psychology, manchester metropolitan university and ken drinkwater, senior lecturer and researcher in cognitive and forensic psychology, manchester metropolitan university.
¹ rational: based on or in accordance with reason or logic
² angst: (count) a feeling of deep anxiety or dread, typically an unfocused one about the human condition or state of the world in general
³ unfounded: not based on or supported by
⁴ supernatural: (adjective) attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature

what is the relationship between paragraphs 18 - 20 in the text’s structure?
- paragraph 20 contrasts the findings that are presented in paragraphs 18 - 19.
- paragraph 20 provides a solution to the issues raised in paragraphs 18 - 19.
- paragraph 20 presents the effects more research will have on the superstitions listed in paragraphs 18 - 19.
- paragraph 20 describes a new topic which is unrelated to paragraphs 18 - 19.

Accepted Answer

# Brief Explanations:
To determine the relationship, analyze each option:
- Option 1: Paragraphs 16 - 19 discuss both positive (reassurance, reduced anxiety) and negative (self - reinforcing, more anxiety) aspects of superstitions. Paragraph 20 tells readers not to worry about "bad luck" from superstitions, contrasting the idea that superstitions have real negative impacts (as presented in part of 16 - 19) by suggesting it's a "trick of the mind".
- Option 2: Paragraph 20 doesn't provide a solution to issues (like how to deal with the self - reinforcing nature), it's more of a conclusion about not worrying.
- Option 3: Paragraph 20 doesn't talk about future research effects.
- Option 4: Paragraph 20 is related as it concludes the discussion on superstitions from 16 - 19.

# Answer:
A. Paragraph 20 contrasts the findings that are presented in paragraphs 16 - 19.

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