Раздел 2 (задания по чтению)
12
Вы проводите информационный поиск в ходе выполнения проектной работы. Определите, в каком из текстов A—F содержатся ответы на интересующие Вас вопросы 1—7. Один из вопросов останется без ответа. Занесите Ваши ответы в таблицу.
1. Why do a lot of letters come to the Italian city on Valentine’s Day?
2. Why is it important to see the right bird on Valentine’s Day?
3. What message can be sent with the flowers?
4. Why do some people give St Valentine’s presents to their pets?
5. What is a different way to celebrate February 14?
6. How did the holiday get its name?
7. Why did a traditional St Valentine’s box of sweets have the form of a heart?
A. Chocolate is the most common present on St. Valentine’s Day. The tradition goes back to the 1800s when doctors made patients eat chocolate to make them feel happier. This might also be the reason why in the 1860s, Richard Cadbury produced his heart-shaped box of chocolates exclusively for Valentine’s Day.
B. St Valentine’s Day is a perfect occasion to express your deepest feelings to the person you love. On Valentine’s Day lovers, friends and family members exchange Valentine’s Day gifts as symbols of love. However, statistics show that nearly 9 million people prefer celebrating Valentine’s Day with their pets and give them presents. The reason is that most pet owners consider animals to be more grateful and loyal than humans.
C. Each rose sent on Valentine’s Day has some meaning. For example, a red rose means love and respect and pink says, «I am having sweet thoughts about you’. Also, it is believed that one rose stands for love at first sight, eleven flowers mean that the receiver is truly and deeply loved and a hundred and eight roses are recommended for marriage proposals.
D. Some superstitions about seeing birds on Valentine’s Day are really funny. It was once believed that if a woman saw a flying robin, she would get married to a sailor. However, if she saw a sparrow, her future husband would be poor. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire. There is no answer to who she would marry if she saw a pigeon, as history does not say anything about pigeons.