Page 27 - Passages 3rd Edition (demo)

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READING
rn Do I know you?

A Group work What does amnesia mean? What are some things that might
cause amnesia? Discuss with your group.

hat if the person you married forgot who you When Sean got out of the hospital, Amy had to give him
W were? For one Texas couple, marriage became a tour of their home. Although he had a room devoted
a blind date when the groom came down with amnesia to music, he couldn't even remember what it meant to
days after their wedding. hear music.
Amy and Sean McNulty's wedding day started well, but Psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Brown says Sean's amnesia might
ended with a shock. One of Sean's good friends was in have been caused by a series of stressful moments,
a serious car accident after the wedding and ended up like his friend's car accident. According to Dr. Brown,
in a coma. Nevertheless, Amy and Sean decided to Sean's brain didn't connect with his identity anymore.
make their honeymoon trip according to plans. "He doesn't know who Sean McNulty is and has no
At the airport, Sean realized he'd left his wallet in personal memories or autobiographical memories
their car. He said to Amy, "I'll be right back." But he to account for who he might be."
didn't return. Dr. Brown explained that amnesia was like
forgetting the name of a file you stored
Amy contacted the police, who
on your computer. "You know it's there
found Sean wandering near a
motel three days later. He was but you can't find it," said Brown. "His
confused and covered in bug memory is like that. He still has the file."
bites. He had no idea who he was Fortunately, better times soon arrived. The
or who Amy was. Sean could not day before their first anniversary, Sean's
remember any personal details from memories flooded back in an instant. He
his life, not even his mother. soon remembered everything, including
Amy was now married to a man their wedding. "I remember shoving cake in
who viewed her as a stranger. her face," said Sean. "It was great."
"I wondered, you know, is he going to Sean views the experience as a chance
remember me? How is our relationship to confirm he picked the right bride. "I got to see how
going to, you know, form?" said Amy. much she loves me," said Sean. 'We have a much
This was a big change after a six-year courtship and stronger and closer bond from the experience. I couldn't
plenty of shared memories. have found a better woman to spend my life with."

Source: "Amnesia Spoils Newlyweds' Bliss," ABC News

B Read the article. Are these statements true or false? Choose the correct answer.
True False
1. Sean's amnesia began after he was in a car accident. D D
2. Sean and Amy didn't know each other well before they got married. D D
3. Sean shoved cake in Amy's face when he remembered who she was. D D
4. The amnesia might have been caused by stress. D D

C Group work Discuss these questions. Then share your answers with the class.

1. What would you have done if you had been in Amy's position?
2. What would be some of the problems you'd face if you ever forgot everything?

ai~-t·1H ;f I can't explain it! 17