🪷🌼🪻🌸 Valentine’s Day – what is the story? (past simple, exercises, sound files, A2) 🪷🌼🪻🌸

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Some useful information on past simple
and some more exercises, pieces of information

The History of Valentine’s Day

A long time ago, in Rome, there was a priest named Saint Valentine. He lived around the year 270 A.D. The emperor did not want young men to marry because he thought soldiers should stay single. But Saint Valentine helped people who loved each other. He married couples in secret.

The emperor found out and was very angry. He put Saint Valentine in prison. While he was in prison, Saint Valentine became friends with the jailer’s daughter. He wrote her a small note and signed it, “From your Valentine.” After some time, Saint Valentine was executed because of what he had done. This was the first Valentine’s card.

People remembered his kindness and bravery. They wanted to celebrate love and friendship. They chose February 14 to honor him.

Today, people in many countries give cards, flowers, and gifts. They remember Saint Valentine and his story of love and courage. Valentine’s Day is a special day to show love, just like Saint Valentine did.

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Vocabulary:

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• a priest – a man who works in the church
• 270 A.D. – the year 270, a long time ago, after the birth of Jesus
• A.D. – it means “Anno Domini” in Latin; it counts the years after Jesus was born
• an emperor – the ruler of a country, like a king but in an empire
• to marry – to become husband and wife
• to stay single – to not have a husband or wife
• to marry a couple – to help a man and woman become husband and wife
• in secret – hidden, so other people do not know
• to be angry – to feel very bad or upset
• a prison – a place where people stay because they break the law
• a jailer – a person who looks after people in prison
• to sign something – to write your name on a paper
• to be executed – to be killed because of a law or punishment
• to remember – to not forget
• kindness – being nice and helpful to others
• bravery – being not afraid, being brave
• to celebrate – to do something special for an important day
• friendship – being friends with someone
• to choose – to pick one thing
• to honor somebody – to show respect and say thank you to someone
• a gift – something you give to someone to show love or thanks
• courage – the ability to be brave
• to show love – to do nice things for someone to tell them you love them

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Infinitive	Past Simple	Definition
be	was / were	to exist, to be in a place or state
live	lived	to have life in a place or time
want	wanted	to wish for something
think	thought	to have an idea or opinion
stay	stayed	to remain in a place or state
help	helped	to do something for someone
love	loved	to like someone very much
marry	married	to become husband and wife
find out	found out	to discover or learn something
put	put	to place something somewhere
become	became	to start to be something
write	wrote	to put words on paper
sign	signed	to write your name on something
execute	executed	to kill someone as punishment
have	had	to own something or experience something
do	did	to act or perform an action
remember	remembered	to not forget
celebrate	celebrated	to do something special for an important day
choose	chose	to pick one thing
honor	honored	to show respect for someone
give	gave	to offer something to someone
show	showed	to make something visible or express something

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Match the word to its definition

Words:

1. a priest
2. 270 A.D.
3. an emperor
4. to marry
5. to stay single
6. in secret
7. a prison
8. a jailer
9. to sign something
10. to be executed
11. kindness
12. bravery
13. friendship
14. a gift
15. courage

Definitions :
a. hidden, so other people do not know
b. a man who works in the church
c. the ability to be brave
d. to write your name on something
e. to become husband and wife
f. a place where people stay because they break the law
g. being not afraid; being brave
h. a person who looks after people in prison
i. the year 270, a long time ago, after the birth of Jesus
j. something you give to someone to show love or thanks
k. to not be afraid to do something difficult
l. being nice and helpful to others
m. to be killed because of a law or punishment
n. being friends with someone
o. to not have a husband or wife

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Answers:

1-b, 2-i, 3-d, 4-e, 5-o,
6-a, 7-f, 8-h, 9-d, 10-m,
11-l, 12-g, 13-n, 14-j, 15-c

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Correct version:

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1. a priest – That means: a man who works in the church
2. 270 A.D. – That means: the year 270, a long time ago, after the birth of Jesus
3. an emperor – That means: the ruler of a country, like a king but in an empire
4. to marry – That means: to become husband and wife
5. to stay single – That means: to not have a husband or wife
6. in secret – That means: hidden, so other people do not know
7. a prison – That means: a place where people stay because they break the law
8. a jailer – That means: a person who looks after people in prison
9. to sign something – That means: to write your name on something
10. to be executed – That means: to be killed because of a law or punishment
11. kindness – That means: being nice and helpful to others
12. bravery – That means: being not afraid; being brave
13. friendship – That means: being friends with someone
14. a gift – That means: something you give to someone to show love or thanks
15. courage – That means: the ability to be brave

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True or false:

1. Saint Valentine was a priest in Rome.
2. The emperor wanted young men to marry.
3. Saint Valentine married couples in secret.
4. Saint Valentine lived around 270 A.D.
5. The emperor put Saint Valentine in prison.
6. Saint Valentine became friends with the emperor’s daughter.
7. He wrote a note and signed it, “From your Valentine.”
8. Saint Valentine was executed because he helped his family.
9. Valentine’s Day is celebrated in March.
10. People give cards, flowers, and gifts on Valentine’s Day.
11. Saint Valentine married couples in public.
12. People celebrate soldiers only on Valentine’s Day.
13. People remembered Saint Valentine for his kindness and bravery.
14. Saint Valentine invented Valentine’s cards.
15. Valentine’s Day is not about love.

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Answers (one line)

1-T, 2-F, 3-T, 4-T, 5-T, 6-F,
7-T, 8-F, 9-F, 10-T, 11-F,
12-F, 13-T, 14-F, 15-F

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Correct version:

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1. Saint Valentine was a priest in Rome.
2. The emperor wanted young men to marry. True is: The emperor did not want young men to marry.
3. Saint Valentine married couples in secret.
4. Saint Valentine lived around 270 A.D.
5. The emperor put Saint Valentine in prison.
6. Saint Valentine became friends with the emperor’s daughter. True is: Saint Valentine became friends with the jailer’s daughter.
7. He wrote a note and signed it, “From your Valentine.”
8. Saint Valentine was executed because he helped his family. True is: Saint Valentine was executed because he had helped soldiers.
9. Valentine’s Day is celebrated in March. True is: Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14.
10. People give cards, flowers, and gifts on Valentine’s Day.
11. Saint Valentine married couples in public. True is: Saint Valentine married couples in secret.
12. People celebrate soldiers only on Valentine’s Day. True is: Valentine’s Day is a special day to show love and friendship.
13. People remembered Saint Valentine for his kindness and bravery.
14. Saint Valentine had Valentine’s cards. True is: The first Valentine’s card was written by Saint Valentine.
15. Valentine’s Day is not about love. True is: Valentine’s Day is a special day to show love.

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Fill in, words below:

emperor – bravery – marry – love – stay single –
people – daughter – priest – gifts –
signed – chose – in secret –
note – executed

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1. A long time ago, in Rome there was a __________ named Saint Valentine.
2. The emperor did not want young men to __________.
3. He thought soldiers should __________, but Saint Valentine helped people who loved each other.
4. Saint Valentine helped young __________ to marry.
5. He married couples __________.
6. The __________ found out and was very angry. He put Saint Valentine in prison.
7. While he was in prison, Saint Valentine became friends with the jailer’s __________.
8. He wrote her a small __________.
9. He __________ the note, “From your Valentine.”
10. After some time, Saint Valentine was __________ because of what he had done.
11. People remembered Saint Valentine for his kindness and __________.
12. They __________ February 14 to honor him.
13. Today, people in many countries give cards, flowers, and __________ to remember Saint Valentine.
14. Valentine’s Day is a special day to show __________ just like Saint Valentine did.

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Correct version:

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1. A long time ago, in Rome there was a priest named Saint Valentine.
2. The emperor did not want young men to marry.
3. He thought soldiers should stay single, but Saint Valentine helped people who loved each other.
4. Saint Valentine helped young people to marry.
5. He married couples in secret.
6. The emperor found out and was very angry. He put Saint Valentine in prison.
7. While he was in prison, Saint Valentine became friends with the jailer’s daughter.
8. He wrote her a small note.
9. He signed the note, “From your Valentine.”
10. After some time, Saint Valentine was executed because of what he had done.
11. People remembered Saint Valentine for his kindness and bravery.
12. They chose February 14 to honor him.
13. Today, people in many countries give cards, flowers, and gifts to remember Saint Valentine.
14. Valentine’s Day is a special day to show love just like Saint Valentine did.

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Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who was Saint Valentine?
   a) An emperor
   b) A soldier
   c) A priest
2. Where did Saint Valentine live a long time ago?
   a) Rome
   b) Egypt
   c) Greece
3. Around what year did Saint Valentine live?
   a) 500 B.C.
   b) 1500 A.D.
   c) 270 A.D.
4. Why did the emperor not want young men to marry?
   a) He did not care
   b) He wanted soldiers to stay single
   c) He wanted soldiers to marry
5. What did Saint Valentine do for couples?
   a) He helped them marry in secret
   b) He helped them buy gifts
   c) He gave them chocolate
6. Where did the emperor put Saint Valentine?
   a) In a prison
   b) In a house
   c) In a school
7. Who became Saint Valentine’s friend in prison?
   a) The jailer’s daughter
   b) The emperor’s daughter
   c) The jailer
8. What did Saint Valentine write and sign?
   a) “I love you”
   b) “From your Valentine”
   c) “Happy Valentine’s Day”
9. When do people celebrate Valentine’s Day?
   a) February 14
   b) March 14
   c) December 14
10. What is Valentine’s Day a special day to show?
    a) Bravery
    b) Kindness
    c) Love

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Answers:

1-c, 2-a, 3-c, 4-b, 5-a,
6-a, 7-a, 8-b, 9-a, 10-c

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Full version:

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1. Who was Saint Valentine? – Saint Valentine was a priest.
2. Where did Saint Valentine live a long time ago? – Saint Valentine lived in Rome.
3. Around what year did Saint Valentine live? – Saint Valentine lived around the year 270 A.D.
4. Why did the emperor not want young men to marry? – The emperor did not want soldiers to marry because he wanted them to stay single.
5. What did Saint Valentine do for couples? – Saint Valentine helped couples to marry in secret.
6. Where did the emperor put Saint Valentine? – The emperor put Saint Valentine in prison.
7. Who became Saint Valentine’s friend in prison? – Saint Valentine became friends with the jailer’s daughter.
8. What did Saint Valentine write and sign? – Saint Valentine wrote a note and signed it “From your Valentine.”
9. When do people celebrate Valentine’s Day? – People celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14.
10. What is Valentine’s Day a special day to show? – Valentine’s Day is a special day to show love.

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1. Who was Saint Valentine? – priest
2. Where did Saint Valentine live a long time ago? – Rome
3. Around what year did Saint Valentine live? – 270 A.D.
4. Why did the emperor not want young men to marry? – soldiers stay single
5. What did Saint Valentine do for couples? – marry in secret
6. Where did the emperor put Saint Valentine? – prison
7. Who became Saint Valentine’s friend in prison? – jailer’s daughter
8. What did Saint Valentine write and sign? – From your Valentine
9. When do people celebrate Valentine’s Day? – February 14
10. What is Valentine’s Day a special day to show? – love

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Unscramble the sentences:

1. Rome / Saint / a / Valentine / priest / was / in
   
   YOU WRITE:
   Saint Valentin was a priest in Rome.
   
2. men / The / want / did / emperor / not / to / marry
   ____________________________
3. in / married / secret / couples / Valentine
   ____________________________
4. other / He / loved / each / helped / who / people
   ____________________________
5. emperor / The / put / in / Valentine / prison
   ____________________________
6. jailer’s / Valentine / became / the / daughter / friends / with
   ____________________________
7. small / a / He / note / wrote
   ____________________________
8. He / note / signed / the / “From / Valentine / your”
   ____________________________
9. kindness / and / remembered / for / People / bravery / his / Valentine
   ____________________________
10. Day / Valentine’s / day / show / love / is / special / a / to
    ____________________________

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Correct answers:

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1. Saint Valentine was a priest in Rome.
2. The emperor did not want men to marry.
3. Valentine married couples in secret.
4. He helped people who loved each other.
5. The emperor put Valentine in prison.
6. Valentine became friends with the jailer’s daughter.
7. He wrote a small note.
8. He signed the note “From your Valentine.”
9. People remembered Valentine for his kindness and bravery.
10. Valentine’s Day is a special day to show love.

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Fill in, words below:

soldiers – jailer’s – priest – small note –
remember – around – emperor –
in Rome – in secret

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Interviewer: Who was Saint Valentine?
Historian: Saint Valentine was a _________.

Interviewer: Where did he live?
Historian: He lived _________.

Interviewer: Around what year did he live?
Historian: He lived __________ the year 270 A.D.

Interviewer: Why did the emperor not want men to marry?
Historian: The emperor did not want young men to marry because he thought __________ should stay single.

Interviewer: What did Saint Valentine do for couples?
Historian: Saint Valentine married couples__________.

Interviewer: Where did the _________ put him?
Historian: The emperor put Saint Valentine in prison.

Interviewer: Who did he become friends with in prison?
Historian: He became friends with the __________ daughter.

Interviewer: What did he write and sign?
Historian: He wrote a __________ and signed it “From your Valentine.”

Interviewer: Why do people celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Historian: People celebrate Valentine’s Day to ________ his kindness and bravery.

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Full dialogue:

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Interviewer: Who was Saint Valentine?
Historian: Saint Valentine was a priest.

Interviewer: Where did he live?
Historian: He lived in Rome.

Interviewer: Around what year did he live?
Historian: He lived around the year 270 A.D.

Interviewer: Why did the emperor not want men to marry?
Historian: The emperor did not want young men to marry because he thought soldiers should stay single.

Interviewer: What did Saint Valentine do for couples?
Historian: Saint Valentine married couples in secret.

Interviewer: Where did the emperor put him?
Historian: The emperor put Saint Valentine in prison.

Interviewer: Who did he become friends with in prison?
Historian: He became friends with the jailer’s daughter.

Interviewer: What did he write and sign?
Historian: He wrote a small note and signed it “From your Valentine.”

Interviewer: Why do people celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Historian: People celebrate Valentine’s Day to remember his kindness and bravery.

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