Exercise 6B, page 1 - English File Studetn's book, pre-intermediate, Oxford

1 READING & LISTENING

a Look at the two photos of the couple. How old do you think they are in each photo? What do you think happened between the two photos?

b Read the article. Complete it with the time expressions.

a few years later 17 years ago for ten years a year after

'I'll never forget you'

Adapted from the British press

Steve Smith from Devon in the UK met Carmen Ruiz-Perez from Spain ¹ _______________, when they were both in their twenties. Carmen was studying English at a language school in Torbay, where Steve lived. They fell in love and decided to get married. But ² _______________ the engagement, Carmen moved to France to work, and the long-distance relationship first cooled and then ended. Steve tried to get in touch with Carmen again ³ _______________, but she had changed her address in Paris. So he sent a letter to her mother's address in Spain. In the letter he asked her if she was married and if she ever thought of him or of coming back to England. He gave her his phone number and asked her to get in touch. But Carmen's mother didn't send the letter to her daughter and it fell down behind the fireplace, where it stayed ⁴ _______________.

c Read the article again and answer the questions.

1 What were Carmen and Steve doing in Torbay?

2 Why didn't they get married?

3 Why didn't Steve's letter get to Carmen?

d 6.9 Now listen to part of a news programme about Steve and Carmen and answer the questions.

What happened...?

1 ten years after Steve sent the letter

2 when Carmen got the letter

3 when Carmen called Steve

4 when the couple met again

5 last week

e Why do you think Carmen's mother didn't send the letter? Do you think 'I'll never forget you' is a promise people usually keep or break?