Commentary

1. Sand, George (pseud, of Amandine Aurore Lucile Dupin Dudevant, 1804− 1876) − French novelist.

2. Praxiteles (fl. 390 − 330 ВС) − Athenian sculptor.

3. Kepler, Johann (1571 − 1630) − German astronomer and mathe­matician.

4. Monroe, Marylin (pseud, of Norma Jean Baker or Mar-tenson, 1926− 1962) − US film actress.

5. Flynn, Errol (1909 − 1959) − Hollywood actor.

VIII. There is a number of unfinished statements based on the text above. Choose the right answer to complete the statements:

1. A happy marriage depends on

(a) the bridal party;

(b) the person you are married to;

(c) whether it was a civil or a church marriage.

2. A good wife (or a good husband)

(a) does not exist in the abstract;

(b) is a midwife;

(c) is a great talker.

3. To live together happily, a pathological liar should mar­ry

(a) his like;

(b) a scolding woman;

(c) a credulous woman.

4. A man who cannot live without constant admiration should marry

(a) a woman who finds everything he does or says won­derful;

(b) a widow and two children;

(c) a she-devil.

5. If a man is unable to make up his mind, he is right in wedding

(a) mamma's pet;

(b) a woman of character, who commands her husband;

(c) in haste.

IX. In buzz-groups discuss the qualities of an ideal husband/ wife for: a doctor, a farmer, a film star, a diplomat, a sailor.

X. Say what can secure a happy marriage:

· Match-making;

· A long period of acquaintance before marriage;

· Passionate attachment, romantic attraction;

· Parental advice in choosing a matrimonial mate;

· Computerized choice of a marital mate;

· Common social background and cultural similarities;

· …

XI. What’s the best way to save a marriage? Give your own advice. Give examples from your or somebody else’s experience in solving marital problems. Should a couple:

· go for help to a relative?

· attempt to find out who is most at fault?

· train themselves to shut their ears and be deaf to each other?

· keep their grievances to themselves?

XII. Read some more texts. Express your opinion on the following points:

· The most painful time is adolescence with intense feelings, lack of confidence, rebellion against authority;

· “Children begin by loving parents, as they grow older they judge them, sometimes they forgive them” (Oscar Wilde);

· Marriages are made in heaven;

· The advantages and disadvantages of being married (single).

XIII. Comment on the following sayings and quotations:

· The heart that once truly loves never forgets.

· If you love it let it go. If it returns to you cherish it, if not it was never truly yours.

· Love fails only when we fail to love.

· “Love – for pleasure, marriage – for convenience”.

· True love begins when nothing is looked for in return (Antoine De Saint-Exuperi).

· Love the heart that hearts you, but never heart the heart that loves you (Vipin Sharma).

· “All happy families resemble one another, every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way” (L. Tolstoy).