I. Reading. Read the text and do the exercises.
Be My Valentine
Every February 14th, it's the same. People exchange heart-shaped cards or anonymous messages that ask the burning question: «Will you be my valentine?» And Big Sister (if she's lucky) gets a box of chocolates from her boyfriend. And Mom (if Dad remembers) gets a bouquet of red and white flowers. It's Valentine's Day and it's named after a saint who was devoted to the idea of love. Actually, there were two Saint Valentines. One of them was a priest who lived during the time of the Roman Empire. The emperor at that time was more interested in his army than in family life, and he was convinced that single men made better soldiers than married ones. In fact, the emperor went so far as to make a law banning marriage. Saint Valentine, however, defied the emperor and continued to marry young couples in secret.
The other Saint Valentine also lived under Roman rule. He was a bishop, led a simple life and was especially kind to children. One day, Valentine was thrown into prison by the Romans because he refused to worship their gods. The children were said to have written messages of love to him and tossed them through his cell window. These were the first valentines.
The valentine cards we know today were first made in the early 1800s. Some were very ornate, and were decorated with birds and flowers. Others could be folded out to give a three-dimensional effect. Today, some of the most popular valentines are the humorous ones.
In Italy, the people have a big feast on February 14th. In England, children sing songs and receive gifts of candy and fruit from their parents. And in Denmark, people send pressed flowers, called «snowdrops», to each other. Does a Danish boy really ask a Danish girl: «Will you be my snowdrop?»
Exercise 1, Comprehension. Find the information in the text and complete the sentences.
1) On Valentine's Day people send.........to........
2) Usually, a valentine's card is not.......by......
3) Men give.......to.........
4) In ancient Rome there were two.......
5) One of them was........and the second one.......
6) The valentine cards we know today were first made in.......century.
7) The greeting cards are often coloured red, have pictures of heart and......
8) Dances and parties often......on this day.
Exercise 2. Vocabulary. Explain the meaning of each phrase in other words: in every sentence one word or phrase is underlined. From the three choices given (a, b, c), you should choose the one, which can he substituted for the underlined word or phrase without changing the meaning of the sentence.
9) People exchange heart-shaped cards or anonymous messages that ask the burning question: «Will you be my valentine?»
A) signed by an imaginary character
B) made by someone whose name is unknown
C) signed by a famous person
10) Valentine's Day is named after a saint who was devoted to the idea of love.
A) showing a very strong feeling of dislike to the idea of love
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B) expressing sorrow and unhappiness
C) giving much time and attention to the idea of love
11) In fact, the emperor went so far as to make a law banning; marriage.
A) to forbid a union between a man and a woman who are under 18
B) to forbid marriage by law
C) to forbid for a man and a woman to live together without being married
12) Saint Valentine, however, defied the emperor and continued to marry young couples in secret.
A) refused to obey the emperor
B) spoke badly about the emperor
C) was punished very often by the emperor
13) One day, Valentine was thrown into prison by the Romans because he refused to worship their gods.
A) to show a strong feeling of admiration to the gods
B) to show disbelief in God
C) to keep St Valentine's Day as a day of All Gods
14) Some valentine cards were very ornate.
A) having poor decoration
B) having bright colours
C) having a lot of decoration
15) In Italy, the people have a big feast on February 14th.
A) a big national holiday
B) a big contest or competition
C) a religious festival with banquet commemorating St Valentine's Day
П. English Usage.
Part 1. Grammar and Writing. Here are some Valentine messages. Can you find the errors? Correct them,
1) I enjoy to spend time with you.
2) I cannot avoid to see you.
3) Please, never stop to think of me!
4) I miss to hold you in my arms.
5) I keep to look at the photo of you.
6) I want living my whole life with you!
7) I suggested to send you a Valentine card. Be mine!
8) I'm want to think of you every day of my life.
Part 2. Grammar. Choose the best answer.
9) St Valentine's Day is neither a national holiday........(no/nor) especially religious.
10) If a boyfriend/girlfriend said «I love you» on your first date,........(will/would) you run a mile?
11) If Cupid shot you with his arrow, you would......(fall/fell) in love with the first person you met.
12) It's hard to imagine the American holiday calendar without the heartfelt expression of love exchanged on that day.......(among/between) sweethearts.
13) There are a lot of traditions and superstitions........(connecting/ connected) with St Valentine's Day.
14) In old times sweethearts used to........(compose/composing) their valentines themselves.
15) Traditional valentine cards are......(on/in) verse and sentimental in nature.
III. Writing. Your school have a competition to find the most romantic love letter. 17-year-old Natasha Rybakova sent in this letter. It was from a boy she didn 't know. Read it and then use the model to write your letter to any girl or boy you love, (100-140 words).
A love letter
flat 396, 117 Grazhdansky pr. Block 1
St Petersburg
Dear you, February 14
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I'm afraid I don ‘t know your name, and you don ‘t know mine. That's not a very good start to a letter but..,
My name's Kostya. Last Wednesday I came to the party with my friends. It was held in our Assembly Hall. We sat by the window.
Then I saw a performance 'Si. Valentine 's Cabaret'. I loved the way you played the part of Miss Susan Skylark. One of my mates gave you a bunch of flowers and you smiled. My heart started beating fast.
Later that evening I walked past our school and 1 saw you again. I came up and looked into your eyes. You smiled at me! I was so surprised and embarrassed I just walked on. Do you remember me?
We are both studying at the same school and we should have a lot in common. I 'm interested in cars, videos and computers. My problem now is, 1 can’t forget you!
Have you got any plans for this weekend? Will we go to the cinema? I shall be thinking about you next week and I wish 1 could be with you.
Kostya (10th 'A ' form)
Key: I. Ex.1: 1) ….heart-shaped cards to the person they love 2)…signed by the person who sends it 3)….flowers or candy to the women they love (wife, daughter, mother, girlfriend)
4) ….StValentines 5) …a priest and the second one was a bishop 6) …the 19th 7)…humorous rhymes 8)….take place
Ex.2: 9)B 10)C 11)B 12)A 13)A 14)C 15)C
II. Part 1: 1)….spending 2)….seeing 3)….thinking 4)….holding 5)….looking 6)..to live 7)….sending 8)….want
Part 2: 9) nor 10)would 11) fall 12) between 13) connected 14) compose 15) in