Before you read:

1. Do you like to go weddings? Why?

2. Do you like the formal dress code?
3. Do you believe in marriage?

I. Vocabulary

Meaning

A. Look for the word in the text that is closest to the

definition given

1. The ability to have babies ________________ fertility

2. Began to use or have ________________ adopted
3. A tube that carries blood ______________ vein
4. Placed one on the other_________________ piled
5. Keeping in mind ___________________ considering
6. To show something _______________ indicate
7. Free to begin a romance _____________ available
8. A sign of faithfulness ________________ fidelity
9. A period of time without end _______________ eternity
10. To hold something _________________ switch

Words that go together

B. Complete the sentence with the answers of the part A

1. Christian societies adopted the ring as a sign of

________________
 2. Ancient Greeks and Romans wore a ring on the fourth finger
of the left hand because they believed that a _______________
ran directly to the heart from that finger.
3. People in Russia usually wear a ring on the right hand to
______________ they have a partner.
4. Later, the cakes were ______________ on top of each other.
5. People thought that throwing cake at a bride would bring her
________________.

C. Circle the letter that is closest in meaning (it does not

appear in the text)

1. These ceremonies differ between cultures, but many of the

customs associated with wedding ceremonies, come from
common beliefs and similar ancient traditions.
a) Related to (si)
b) Accompany
c) Associate
d) Belonging

2. A sign that a down payment had been given for the woman
and that she was no longer available.
a) Credit
b) Allowance
c) Paid in advance (si)
d) Deposit

3. The bride has the groom's name in her ring and vice versa.
a) Idem
b) Conversely (si)
c) Topsy-turvy
d) Upside down
4. Before that time, brides wore their best dress, and the color
 did not matter
a) Despite
b) Notwithstanding
c) Cut no ice (si)
d) Aside

Use

D. Work with a partner to answer these questions

1. To rent a property often requires a down payment. Why do
you believe this is necessary?
2. What does the traditions associated with wedding
ceremonies mean?
3. What does it mean that the bride has the grooms name in
her ring and vice versa?
4. How can some brides do not care about the color of her
wedding dress?

II. Comprehension

True - false. Justify the false

a) There are not so many beliefs associated with the usage of

the wedding ring in left or right hand _________ f
b) Women in Sweden wear only one ring forever (engagement,
motherhood and marriage) _________ f
c) White dresses symbolize love ________ f
d) Friends loyalty will continue through marriage __________ t
e) Wedding cakes are an international tradition__________ t

Making inferences
The answers to these questions are not directly stated in the
article. Write complete sentences.

1. Why do you think that weddings are celebrated with a ceremony?

2. What can you conclude about the meaning of the ring given by
ancient Hindus?

3. Why Scandinavians did not adopt the custom of wedding rings

until the late 1600s?

4. What is the sense of the belief that a vein ran directly to the heart
from the finger?

5. Why do you think the color of the dress is so important in some

cultures? Why most of them choose white color?

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________________________

6. In your opinion. Why throwing rice or cake at the bride will bring
her prosperity or fertility?

7. Why do you think the Africans offer animals to buy a wife?

8. What do you think about the fact that women are still bought in
some tribes?
III. Discussion

Discuss the answers to these questions with your classmates.

1. Do you want to get married in the future? Why?

2. What kind of dress would you use in your wedding? Would it be
white? Why?
3. What is the purpose to have a wedding celebration? Do you agree
with an expensive event?
4. What are other symbols of love in todays world besides a
wedding ring?

IV. Grammar

Underline the correct form of the verb in parenthesis

1. There (is/are) also various beliefs about which hand and finger to
put the ring on.
2. Weddings (are/ is) celebrated with a ceremony.
3. In Chile and Germany, couples (exchange/ exchanges) rings when
they get engaged
4. In Sweden, women (wears/wear) three rings: one for engagement,
one for marriage, and one for motherhood
5. The unmarried women dance around her as she (puts/ put) the
crown on one of their heads.

V. Writing

Describe your future wedding ceremony. However, if you do not

want to get married, write about the traditional wedding dress,
ring, and cake in your country. 100 words.

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