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 reassurance⁵ 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 on unknown, supernatural⁶ 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, don’t worry too much about “bad luck.” it’s most likely just a trick of the mind.
article adapted and posted 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 parapsychology, manchester metropolitan university.
¹ rational (adjective) based on or in accordance with reason or logic
² angst (noun) a feeling of deep anxiety or dread, typically an unfocused one about the human condition or state of the world in general
³ irrational (adjective) not logical or reasonable
⁴ trivial (adjective) of little value or importance
⁵ reassurance (noun) the action of removing someone’s doubts or fears
⁶ 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.

Explanation:

To determine the relationship, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: Paragraphs 18 - 19 discuss how superstitions can be self - reinforcing and anxiety - inducing (even though outcomes depend on known factors). Paragraph 20 tells readers not to worry about "bad luck" as it's a trick of the mind, which contrasts with the idea that superstitions can cause anxiety (from 18 - 19). This makes sense.
• Option 2: Paragraph 20 doesn't provide a solution to issues in 18 - 19; it's more of a conclusion or a contrasting perspective.
• Option 3: Paragraph 20 doesn't talk about the effects of more research.
• Option 4: Paragraph 20 is related to the topic of superstitions (continues the discussion), so it's not a new, unrelated topic.

Answer:

A. Paragraph 20 contrasts the findings that are presented in paragraphs 18 - 19