Read all these statements and discuss them in pairs.

BATTLEFIELD OR BED OF ROSES?

Being in love...

...makes you smile;

...is more like being on a battlefield than in a bed of roses;

...is bad for your health;

...means wedding bells;

...is the strongest emotion you will ever feel;

...is hearts and flowers;

...is only for young people;

...is better than having all the money in the world;

...quickly changes to habit;

...is like being on a roller-coaster — one minute you're high and the next minute you're very low;

...is the chocolate sauce on the vanilla ice cream of life - without it, life is nice but not delicious;

...is playing a fool's game;

...distracts you from the more important things in life;

...is cynical;

...is romantic;

...is realistic.

2. Read these dialogues; explain Dave’s and Brad’s relationships. After discussion make up your own stories connected with topic: “Being in love”.

IT'S AS PLAIN AS THE NOSE ON YOUR FACE!

DIALOGUE 1

Dave and Brad are standing outside the library when they notice Joe.

Dave: Hey, there's Joe. I wonder why he's walking arm in arm with that young woman.

Brad: It's as plain as the nose on your face. They're going together.

Dave: You're pulling my leg! She must be twenty years younger than Joe. Talk about robbing the cradle!

Brad: Well, you can bet this relationship's going to be a. flash in the pan.

Dave: It must have been love at first sight because I know he didn't have a girlfriend last week.

Brad: I think you hit the nail on the head. Actually, my father popped the question to my mother after knowing her only two weeks. They tied the knot a month later!

DIALOGUE 2

Dave and Brad are standing outside the library when they notice Joe.

Dave: Hey, there's Joe. I wonder why he's walking with his arm interlocked in that young woman's arm.

Brad: It's very obvious. They're dating each other.

Dave: You're kidding! She must be twenty years younger than Joe. Talk about dating someone much younger than you!

Brad: Well, you can bet this relationship's going to be temporary.

Dave: It must have been a case of falling in love- at the first encounter because I know he didn't have a girlfriend last week.

Brad: I think you're absolutely right. Actually, my father proposed to my mother after knowing her only two weeks. They got married a month later!

A CHANCE FOR ROMANCE.

Do you think St Valentine's Day is a chance for romance or just an excuse for buying pointless presents?

1. According to the tradition of St Valentine's Day, the first person you see on St Valentine's Day should be your Valentine. What would you do on Valentine's morning?

a) Stay in your room with your door locked and curtains closed until your true love arrived?

b) Nothing, just get up as usual.

c) Get up early, go into the town centre and wait for rush hour.

2. There are many presents which celebrate love and marriage. Which do you find most romantic?

a) A huge box of chocolates in heart-shaped silk box.

b) A dream pillow that is filled with herbs and flow­ers to stimulate and enhance dreams and make special memories.

c) A photo of yourself.

3. Celebrity romance is always popular. Which wedding brought tears to your eyes?

a) Michael Jackson to his nurse.

b) Miss Piggy to Kermit the Frog in the Muppet Movie The Muppets Take Manhattan.

c) The Sleeping Beauty to the Handsome Prince.

4. You're cooking a romantic Valentine's meal for your true love. Which recipe book do you buy?

a) Fat Free and Healthy Meals (includes calorie count and nutritional analysis)

b) Cheap, Cheerful and Quick Cookery Comer (all recipes cost less than £ 1 and can be prepared in under 10 minutes)

c) Fantastic Food (special easy-to-cook recipes from Europe's top-class restaurants)

5. Make St Valentine's Day extra special and choose one of the following tips for added romance.

a) Pay for your boyfriend or girlfriend to spend a day at a beauty salon being made glamorous to show up in public with you.

b) Plan three different days out, write the details down and put them in envelopes. Ask your boyfriend or girlfriend to pick one envelope.

c) Sing your favourite love song to your boyfriend or girlfriend in front of a large crowd of friends.

6. Flowers are always linked with romance. Which of the following flowers would you give to your Valentine or would you like to receive?

a) Asingle red rose, displayed in a silk box.

b) A bunch of delicate flowers that were grown by yourself or your Valentine.

c) A huge bouquet of flowers that was found in the bins at the back of a hotel. (Well, it's the thought that counts.)