Ex. 1. Read and translate the text. Marriage customs in America

MARRIAGE CUSTOMS IN AMERICA

There are many different marriage customs all over the world. Marriage has been an important part of one's life. Once people in America meet certain legal age and medical requirements, they are free to choose their own mates. Once a couple has decided to get married, the man customarily gives the girl a diamond ring. The custom of giving the ring dates from the ancient custom of using a ring to seal an important agreement. When they have agreed on the wedding day, the girl sends wedding announcements or invitations. Their friends send wedding gifts to the girl's home.

They think that it is bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other on the wedding day before the wedding. Another old superstition is that they believe it will bring good luck to the marriage for the bride to wear something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.

Before the wedding day, the groom always chooses a best friend to help him and stand with him during the wedding ceremony. This custom came from ancient times when a strong friend helped the groom escape from the bride's father.

When a couple gets married, the groom gives the bride a Wedding ring. Most of the brides and grooms exchange rings which is called a double-ring, ceremony. The roundness of the ring symbolized eternity and that the couple is united for the life. The wedding ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand. They used to think that a vein from that finger ran directly to the heart. They usually have a wedding reception following the marriage, at which each single girl receives a small piece of wedding cake to take home. She puts this under her pillow that night and dreams about the man she loves in the hope that he will ask her to marry him.

Words: requirement - требование, mate - спутник, друг, custom - обычай, to seal - запечатывать, announcement - объявление, superstition -суеверия, eternity - вечность.

Answer the questions:

1. What requirements must Americans meet to get married?
2. Where did the tradition of giving a ring come from?
3. What is supposed to be bad luck?
4. What is supposed to get good luck?
5. Who is standing near the groom during the wedding ceremony?
6. What does the ring symbolize?
7. What does each single girl get in the wedding reception?

Ex. 2. Crossword puzzle:

Across:

1. A man to whom one is engaged

2. A child of your aunt or uncle

3. Your mother’s and father’s parents

4. A man who has never been married

5. A child who has no parents

6. Your mother’s or father’s sister

7. A woman whose husband died

Down:

1. To put an end to a marriage by law

2. To take a child into one’s family

3. A second wife of one’s father

4. A daughter of your brother

5. A son of your sister

6. Your father’s brother