Задание

Read the text and choose the correct answer.

Over 2,000 years ago, during the Han Dynasty in China, common people looked for new ways to spend the long winter months. Because they had little work to do during this time of the year, skilled workers, sailors, and farmers became acrobats, jugglers and magicians. Their performances became part of the village festivals. Entire families participated in these performances. Each generation taught its circus skills to the next generation. Children in these families began learning to perform while they were still babies. They were too young to understand the risks of their dangerous acrobatics, so they performed without fear. As young Chinese performers grew up, they taught their skills to others. The circus became a way of life for these families. Though the ancient acrobats performed for emperors, they became less respected over time. Later on, acrobats were looked down upon. However, after 1949, the Chinese government tried to bring the art back to life. Since then, Chinese circus has had a great influence on performing arts throughout the world. Wayne Huey always wanted to become successful in Chinese acrobatics. At the age of 25, he entered the Shanghai Circus School. Just being accepted into the school was an achievement. Most Chinese acrobats begin training as young children, not when they are 25. Huey, whose parents were born in China, was the first non-native student to be accepted at the world-famous circus school. Now Huey, a native of San Francisco, is one of the original members of the acrobatic group The Red Pandas. This group performs traditional Chinese acrobatics for schools and businesses all over the world. The Red Pandas’ performances for schoolchildren are mainly aimed at entertaining the audience. But Huey also teaches the students about Chinese culture and acrobatic history. He talks about very young kids who train for 40 hours a week in the Chinese circus and then go to school at night. Wayne Huey says that the main thing in acrobatics is concentration. For example, when he is standing on one hand on a pile of bricks, he only thinks about one thing - being able to balance. Huey talks to his audience about practice, perseverance and patience: the three Ps which are goals for all of us in everyday lives.

What is this passage mainly about?

What IS NOT TRUE about the original Chinese circus performers?

How is Huey different from the students at the Shanghai Circus School?

Which statement about The Red Pandas IS TRUE?

What do you need to be a good acrobat?

The tradition of Chinese acrobatics.

They were members of emperors’ families.

He didn’t train until he was 25.

They often travel to other countries.

Hard work.