2. Victoria and Albert

In 1837 the 18-year-old Princess Victoria became the Queen of England. Three years later she married Albert, her first cousin from Germany, who was also 21. She was a cheerful girl and he was an honest, intelligent man, and throughout their marriage they were deeply in love. As Victoria was the Queen, Albert was not officially a king, but they were both highly respected and Victoria relied on Albert’s advice, especially regarding diplomatic matters. Yet his main devotion was to their family and their nine children. Albert died 40 years before Victoria, and devastated by the loss of her beloved prince, she never wore anything but black from then on.

3. Tristan and Isolde

There are many versions of this myth but all agree on the essential details of this story of star crossed lovers. Tristan was a knight sent to bring Isolde to his king, who she was supposed to marry. But before they reached the king’s court, Tristan and Isolde fell in love. The lovers had an affair but in the end separated. She married the king and he another girl. Yet, when he was dying from a poisoned wound, Tristan sent for Isolde. However, Tristan’s wife lied to him telling him that Isolde wasn’t coming. This news killed him. When Isolde arrived and found him dead, she died of a broken heart.

Which love story:

1. involves two people from different countries?

2. involves a woman who found her husband’s advice very valuable?

3. involves both people dying around the same time?

4. concerns fictional characters?

5. involves people of the same age?

6. didn’t end in marriage?

Grammar

Usually and used to [1]

For present habits use usually or normally +present simple

For past habits use used to/didn’t use to+infinitive. Used to doesn’t exist in the present tense.

I usually get up at 8.00 on weekdays.

I used to get up at 6.00 when I was at school.

Writing

Exercise 1. Correct the mistakes in the highlighted phrases.

1.He weren’t use to be so moody. He didn’t use to be.

2. Did she always used to drink coffee in the morning?

3.He used to be a driver, but now he works for Greenpeace.

4. We didn’t used to have a car, we used to cycle everywhere.

5. I use to get up at 6.30, but I don’t anymore.

6. Does he used to live near the hospital when he was at school.

7. At school we don’t use to wear a uniform. We wore what we liked.

8. I do use to smoke a packet a day but I stopped two years ago.

Exercise 2. Match the sentence halves.

1. I used to drive a Mercedes

2. We didn’t use to get pocket money

3. My sister used to be very spoilt

4. He used to be a teacher

5. At school we didn’t use

6. We used to be close friends

7. Ben used to travel a lot in his job but now

1. since his promotion, he doesn’t.

2. to wear a uniform.

3. when she was little.

4. but now I drive a Citroen.

5. when we were younger.

6. but now he works for.

7. but we don’t see each other any more.

Speaking

Who are these people in the photos? What do you know about them? Use the words in the box.

ask somebody out fancy somebody

fall out (with somebody) get divorced

get married (to somebody) go out (with somebody)

fall in love (with somebody) get back together

get engaged (to somebody) get on well (with somebody)

make up split up (with somebody)

Match the couples. Which of them are fictional?

1. Bonnie a) Anthony

2. Cleopatra b) Clyde

3. John Lennon c) Courtney Love

4. Kurt Kobein d) Tolegen

5. Napoleon Bonaparte e) Juliet

6. Romeo f) Yoko Ono

7. KyzZhybek g) Josephine