Saint Valentine's Day

I-Read the text and put the verbs into the Past Simple. Then, complete the chart.

2,000 years ago, the most powerful army in the world belonged (belong) to the
Romans. The Romans were (be) so strong that they conquered (conquer) almost all of
Europe, and parts of Asia and Africa. Then, they began (begin) to grow rich and a little bit
lazy. Life in the army was (be) harsh, and many of the soldiers longed (long) for the comforts
of home. They didn’t want (not want) to fight anymore. They wanted (want) to get married
and set up (set up) families instead. The Emperor, whose name was (be) Claudius the
Second, was (be) worried that his army was growing soft; as he was not (not be) happy, he
maked (make) a law that no soldier was (be) allowed to get married.

By that time, many of the Romans were (be) Christians - and one of their
leaders was (be) a Bishop called Valentine. He believed (believe) that if a man
and woman fell (fall) in love with each other, they should get married – and so
he decided (decide) to let soldiers get married in his church, even though it was
(be) now against the law. The soldiers’ weddings were (be) meant to be kept secret,
but as you know, all secrets are hard to keep, and soon the word got out (get out).
Valentine was (be) arrested and they brought (bring) him before the emperor who
demanded (demand) that he stopped (stop) helping soldiers to marry, and instead that he
prayed (pray) to the gods of Rome. When he didn’t agree (not agree) and refused (refuse)
to submit to the emperor, this latter sentenced (sentence) him to death.

While Valentine was (be) in prison, the jailer’s daughter brought (bring) him food.
She was (be) a young woman who unfortunately couldn’t (cannot) see; she was (be) blind.
She and Valentine spended (spend) long hours talking to each other, and they fell (fall) in
love. One day, Valentine put (put) his hand through the bars of his cell and touched (touch)
the lids of her closed eyes. When she opened (open) them again, she could (can) see. It was
(be) a miracle.
Valentine’s execution was (be) set for February the 14th. On his last night on earth, he wrote
(write) his final message to the girl. He signed (sign) his love letter, “From your Valentine”.
This took (take) place in the year 270, and ever since, lovers have sent each other messages
on February the 14th with the same signature.

PAST SIMPLE

 Affirmative form: Regular verbs: verbal root +_____ or Irregular verbs: _____column

Ex:________________________ Ex: _____________________

 Negative form: ______ _______ (=didn't) + verbal root

Ex:_______________________________
Exception: "Be": I was not (=wasn't), you were not (=weren't), he....................................................................
II-......................................................................................................;......................................................................
Answer the questions about Saint Valentine's Day.
 Modals: CAN => _____________ CANNOT/CAN'T => ____________
 1- Say if it's TRUE or FALSE. Justify your answer if the statement is not correct.

a- The Roman army was the strongest 2,000 years ago. T F

TRUE
b- Soldiers were only interested in fighting and they didn't care about marriage. T F
FALSE
c- Claudius the Second was the Roman pope. T F
FALSE
d- Valentine's daughter used to work in prison. T F
FALSE
e- While he was in jail, Valentine performed a miracle. T F
TRUE

f- Before his execution, Valentine sent red roses to his girlfriend. T F

FAALSE
2-Answer the questions.

a-How was life in the army 2,000 years ago?

The most powerful army in the world belonged to the Romans. The Romans were so strong
that they conquered almost all of Europe, and parts of Asia and Africa. Then they began to
grow rich and a little bit lazy. Life in the army was harsh, and many of the soldiers longed for
the comforts of home.
............................................................................................................................................

b-Why did the soldiers grow tired of fighting?

Life in the army was harsh, and many of the soldiers longed for the comforts of home. They
wanted to get married and set up families.
............................................................................................................................................

c-What did Claudius II think about weddings? What did he do?

The Emperor, whose name was Claudius the Second, was worried that his army was growing
soft; so he made a law that no soldier was allowed to get married.

............................................................................................................................................

d-What did Valentine do for a living? Where did he work?

He was a Bishop.
............................................................................................................................................

e-Did he obey the new law? Justify your answer.

No, he believed (believe) that if a man and woman fell (fall) in love with each other, they
should get married – and so he decided (decide) to let soldiers get married in his church, even
though it was (be) now against the law.
............................................................................................................................................
f-Who was sent to jail?
Valentine.
............................................................................................................................................

g-How did Valentine cure the blind girl?

One day, Valentine put (put) his hand through the bars of his cell and touched (touch) the lids
of her closed eyes. When she opened (open) them again, she could (can) see. It was (be) a
miracle.
............................................................................................................................................

h-Did he marry her? Justify your answer.

No, he died before that.
............................................................................................................................................

i-Did he write a letter to her before his death?

Yes hi did
............................................................................................................................................

j-How did he sign his love letter?

He signed (sign) his love letter, “From your Valentine”.
............................................................................................................................................

k-When was he executed?

On february 14th of 270.
............................................................................................................................................

l-Which year did the story take place?

In the 270.
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