Valentine's Day and Centenarians: History and Facts

St. Valentine’s Day

1. During Lupercalia: (a) young men and women were paired.
2. Why did Emperor Claudius II cancel all marriages and engagements? (c) Because he needed men for his army.
3. Why was Valentine dragged to jail? (d) Because he disobeyed the emperor.
4. Valentine died in love. TRUE: “It is said that, before his execution, Valentine himself had fallen in love with the jailer’s daughter.”
5. St. Valentine’s Day is no longer a Roman Catholic festivity today. TRUE: “In 1969 it was dropped from the Roman Catholic calendar as a designated feast day.”
6. Nowadays there are more Valentine’s cards than Christmas cards sold in the US. FALSE: “Today, over 1 billion Valentine’s cards are sent in the US – second in number only to Christmas cards.
7. Decree (L. 6)
8. Let me finish the book. I want to find out what happens in the end.
9. Prison
10. Drawer, drawing
11. Quickly
12. Borrow
13. They should have paid (pay) before they left.
14. How often was Lupercalia celebrated?
15. They were not warned about the risks. Nobody warned them about the risks.
16. They had their house painted last summer.
17. If today was my birthday I would be really happy.

100 Candles

1. The Queen sends birthday telegrams... (c) to centenarians.
2. Dr. Lynne Corner has informed... (c) about new discoveries by scientists in her field.
3. In the future more people will reach the age of 100. TRUE: “the prediction is that by 2050, there will be a quarter of a million centenarians.” (L. 3-4)
4. We can live a long life if we have the right genes. FALSE: “But the potential to live a long life is a complicated mix of genes and other factors that keep us healthier.” (L. 10-11)
5. The Mediterranean diet includes a considerable amount of meat. FALSE: “It is low in fat and salt, and includes only modest amounts of meat.” (L.13-14)
6. The text says that social isolation may lead to a longer life. FALSE: “it also helps to live in very sociable communities, where families and friendship are an important part of everyday life.” (L. 15-16)
7. High (line 13)
8. Predictable
9. Tend (line 14)
10. “My grandad was pleased with his birthday cake”.
11. Inherited (L. 11)
12. Habit
13. Many people are sent birthday telegrams by the Queen / have telegrams sent (to them) by the Queen.
14. The new shop, which opened last week, sells fruit and vegetables.
15. Her speech made me cry (cry).
16. Because of the flight delay, nobody arrived in time.
17. How many centenarians are there in the UK?