VALENTINE’S DAY

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In all English-speaking countries, February 14th is a very special day for people in love: it’s Valentine’s Day. Nobody knows much about St. Valentine. One story tells he was a Christian priest that was killed by Roman soldiers on February 14th. According to a legend, he used to marry young lovers secretly against Roman law which ordered young men to go to war. Another story tells February 14th was chosen because birds normally begin to mate on that day. February 15th was a Roman holiday in honor of the Roman god Lupercus. To celebrate it young women used to write love notes and put them in an urn. Then young men would pick these notes and begin to court the women. The Catholic Church joined this holiday with St. Valentine’s Day, on February 14th. On this day, children write their names on cards shaped like hearts, and give them to their classmates and teachers. Usually every classroom have a box with an opening on the top where children can mail their cards, decorated with pictures of hearts, cupids and arrows. Teenagers and adults give cards, chocolates and flowers to their boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands and wives, or to someone whom they have fallen in love with. Nowadays, also grandparents, cousins, friends or even acquaintances take the occasion to express their affection for each other. The tradition of Valentine’s Day in the tradition of love. People usually do not sign these cards and a lot of time is spent in trying to guess who has sent them! (Adapted from Windows on the USA, McGraw-Hill, 1982.)

1. Nos países de Língua Inglesa esta data é celebrada como:A) O Dia de São Valentim.B) O Dia dos Namorados.C) O Dia da Amizade.

2. O Dia de São Valentim, também conhecido como o Dia dos Namorados, é uma data especial comemorada apenas por casais do Brasil, onde se celebra o amor e a união das pessoas que se amam.A) True B) False

3. A tradição do Dia dos Namorados é uma tradição do amor, portanto aproveita-se a ocasião para:A) a troca de flores, chocolates e cartões entre os namorados. B) os amantes poderem se cortejar. C) os namorados, maridos, esposas, avós, primos e amigos expressarem, também, afeto uns pelos outros.

4. Conforme o texto, o dia 15 de fevereiro foi um feriado:A) romano em honra do deus romano Lupercus.B) romano em honra do santo São Valentim.C) romano em honra a um sacerdote cristão que foi morto por soldados romanos.

5. Relacione:A) On this day, February 14th, children write their names on cards shaped like hearts,…B) Another story tells February 14th was chosen because… C) The tradition of Valentine’s Day in… D) February 14th is a very special day for people in love: it’s Valentine’s Day.( )…the tradition of love.( ) In all English-speaking countries.( )…and give them to their classmates and teachers.( )… birds normally begin to mate on that day.

6. “A tradição do Dia dos Namorados é a tradição do amor.” Dê seu ponto de vista.

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