Does marriage still matter? The world’s biggest star has announced that she is getting married after years of dreaming about it in her songs. But some say weddings are the stuff of the past.
Swift’s love story breaks the internet
Public passion: While her previous relationships were defined by secrecy, Taylor Swift's engagement to Travis Kelce has been a highly public, shared story, culminating in a joint Instagram post that was seen by millions. Comprehension quiz
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The word “foreshadowing” in this context means:
A. Looking back at something that has already happened.
B. Casting a dark shadow over an event.
C. Being a warning or indication of a future event.
D. Hiding something from the past.
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Which word is the closest synonym for “avid”?
A. Annoyed
B. Occasional
C. Uninterested
D. Keen
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Which statement best summarises the nature of the engagement announcement and the world’s immediate reaction to it?
A. Taylor Swift made a quiet, personal announcement on her private social media that only her most avid fans noticed at first.
B. The announcement was made through official news channels, causing a slow but steady stream of discussion online.
C. The social media announcement was a massive, instant event, generating widespread excitement and immediate, detailed analysis from the public.
D. Donald Trump was the first to break the news, after which Taylor Swift confirmed it on her Instagram page.
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According to the article, which two of the following statements about the couple are true?
A. Travis Kelce has won three Super Bowls.
B. Donald Trump is a long-time fan of Taylor Swift.
C. Fans have nicknamed the couple ‘Taylor Kelce’.
D. Swift’s new album is called The Life of a Showgirl.
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Find and write down the nine-word quotation Taylor Swift used on Instagram to announce her engagement.
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In your own words, summarise two reasons given in the article for why an increasing number of American women are turning away from marriage.
Answers
Tap to reveal
1. C 2. D 3. C 4. A and D 5. "Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married." 6. The article suggests women are turning away from marriage because of their growing financial and social independence. It also states that women are more likely to have a broad and enriching social life, making them less dependent on a traditional relationship for happiness.
Glossary
Beau - A person's boyfriend or male admirer.
Heterosexual - Sexually or romantically attracted to people of the opposite sex.