5137 reading cimprehension a very unlucky lover

A VERY UNLUCKY LOVER

Aldo Brunelli, 30, from Naples in Italy, is probably the world’s unluckiest lover as well as one
of the most persistent. Aldo’s troubles began a few months ago when Julia Ferro, 22, moved
into the house opposite with her family, and Aldo fell in love with her at first sight.
At first Aldo tried traditional methods. When he spoke to Julia in the street and she ignored
him, he sent her flowers. He called at her house but her parents didn’t let him in. After that,
he wrote several letters and poems and dropped them in her letter-box, but Julia tore them
without reading them.
Since she was resistant to poetry, he decided to test the power of music. He bought a guitar
and practiced for two or three weeks before serenading her outside her bedroom window one
night last December. Julia’s mother threw a bucket of water over him and her father
threatened to call the police.
Aldo did not give up easily. He was sure Julia would change her mind eventually and bought a
ring and waited outside her house one morning last week. When she came out to go to work,
he went down on his knees and asked to marry him. She went off, saying: ‘Don’t be silly!’
Losing hope, he decided to kill himself. His first idea was to throw himself in front of a train,
but he fell between the rails and the train passed safely over him. He was given first aid for
cuts at the nearest hospital but as soon as he came out, he tried again. This time he jumped
in front of a bus, but the driver braked quickly, and he only suffered some more cuts and
bruises.
When he went to the hospital half an hour later, the doctors asked a psychiatrist to talk to
him, and before he left he promised he would not attempt to commit suicide again.
Unfortunately, on his way out, he slipped on the steps and broke his leg. He is now back in
hospital, recovering from his injuries.
Julia, interviewed by a local journalist yesterday, said: ‘I hope he will get better soon, but I’m
not going to marry him. He’s too unpredictable,’


1.- READ THE TEXT AND ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:
1.- When did Aldo fall in love with Julia?

2.- Which were the three traditional methods he tried to attract Julia?
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3.- What was the result in each case?
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4.- What did he do in his final attempt?
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5.- How did Julia react?
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2.- find words or phrases in the text that mean the same as the following:
1.- most unfortunate ___________________
2.- as soon as he saw her ________________
3.- in the beginning ____________________
4.- took no notice of ___________________
5.- singing romantically to _______________
6.- abandon his attempt ________________
7.- sooner or later ____________________
8.- despaired ________________________
9.- recover _________________________


KEY
EXERCISE 2
1

UNLUCKIEST

2

AT FIRST SIGHT

3

AT FIRST

4

IGNORED

5

SERENADING

6

GIVE UP

7

EVENTUALLY

8

LOST HOPE

9

GET BETTER