Valentine's Day, or Love is in the Air
A. It's that time of the year when couples show their love for each other by sending cards, flowers and chocolates. But Valentine's Day is not only about *public displays of affection : in recent years it has also become big business. In the UK alone, more than 20 million is spent on flowers, whilst in the United States *over $1 billion is forked out on chocolates.
B. Although Valentine's Day has become a global industry with more than 80 million roses sold worldwide, the origins of the day are unclear and *hidden in the mists of time. Nobody knows exactly who St Valentine was, although some historians suggest he was a Roman *martyred in the third century AD by a Roman Emperor. It is said that the first recorded Valentine's card was sent by the imprisoned Duke of Orleans in 1415. It is believed that he *sought solace from his *confinement by writing love poems to his wife.
C. Valentine's Day, or its equivalent, is now celebrated in many countries around the world. However, the traditions often differ from place to place. In Japan, for example, it is customaryfor the woman to send chocolates to the man, whilst in Korea April 14th is known as 'Black Day' and is when the unfortunate men who received nothing on Valentine's Day gather to eat noodles and *commiserate with each other.
D. Technological developments have also played their part in keeping Valentine's Day relevant in the 21st century. Valentine's e-cardshave been *all the rage in recent years. However, internet security experts urge web users to be wary as malicious hackers could use e-cards to spread virusesand spyware.
E. Valentine's cards can also be used for less than romantic purposes. Police in the UK city of Liverpool sent Valentine's cards to criminals who failed to appear in court or have not paid fines. The cards contained the verse, "Roses are red, *violets are blue, you've got * awarrant, and we'd love to see you." Who says romance is dead?
NOTES :
*public displays of affection - публичными проявлениями теплых чувств/любви
*over $1 billion is forked out - зд. отстегивают больше миллиарда долларов
*hidden in the mists of time - кануло в Лету
*martyred [ ma:təd]- зд. которого предали мученической смерти
*sought solace [so:t soləs]- искал утешения
*confinement - тюремное заключение
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*commiserate [kə mizəreit]- выражать сочувствие
*all the rage - криком моды
*violets [ vaiəlits]- фиалки
*a warrant [ə worənt] - ́ордер, предписание
( « BBC»)
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I. Заполните пропуски словами из рамки на основании информации текста.
| recorded unfortunate malicious romantic unclear martyred customary popular |
Valentine's Day is now celebrated in many countries but the traditions often differ. In Japan, for example, it is ____for the woman to send chocolates to the man. In Korea the ____men who received nothing on Valentine's Day gather to eat noodles.
The origins of Valentine's Day are ____. Some historians suggest Valentine was a Roman____in the third century AD. It is said that the first ___Valentine's card with love poems was sent in 1415.
But not always Valentine's cards were used for ___purposes. Police in the UK sent Valentine's cards to criminals who failed to appear in court. In the 21st century Valentine's e-cards are very ____. However, internet security experts urge web users to be wary as ____hackers could use e-cards to spread viruses.
II. Выберите правильный вариант согласно информации текста.
1. In the UK alone, more than 20 million is spent on flowers, whilst in the
United States *over $1 billion is forked out on chocolates.
2. Nobody knows exactly who St.Valentine was, although some dukes suggest he was a Roman.
3. Valentine's Day is now celebrated in many countries around the world but the traditions often differ from place to place.
4. In Japan, for example, it is customaryfor the woman to send chocolates to the man.
5. In Korea April 14th is known as «Black Day».
6. Internet security experts urge web users to be romantic.
7. Malicious historians could use e-cards to spread viruses and spyware.
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8. Police in the UK city of Liverpool sent Valentine's cards to hackers who failed to appear in court or have not paid fines.
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