Read the text and mark the statements True, False or Not stated. 
Travelling to the Festival of the North
The Festival of the North is an annual sports and cultural event in March and April. It includes about 20 winter sports, and takes place in Northern Russia, inside the Arctic Circle in the town of Murmansk and its surrounding regions.
The festival is held to celebrate the coming of spring. During winter in this part of the world, there is a time when the sun doesn’t shine at all. This is called the Polar Night, and for two months there is almost total darkness. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that spring is celebrated with a big festival of sports and feasting, singing and dancing over a period of ten days.
The festival was first held in 1934. More events have been added over the years, including a 50 km skiing marathon. About 1200 people compete in this each year. Other events include an ice-hockey tournament, reindeer racing, cross-country skiing and downhill skiing. There is even an underwater swimming competition in the freezing cold waters of Lake Semyonovskoye.
Athletes from all over the world come to the festival to compete. The Russian cross-country skiing team always takes part. Sports fans can watch all the outdoor events for free. Participants have to pay a small fee to take part in the skiing marathon. It’s very cold and a very long way, but well worth it if you ever get a chance to go.

• Группы
  • True
  • False
  • Not stated
• Варианты
  • Lake Semyonovskoye is one of the most freezing waters in Russia.
  • The Festival of the North takes place in March and April every year.
  • The location of the Festival is Murmansk and its surrounding regions.
  • The festival lasts ten days.
  • Participants take part in the skiing marathon for free.
  • There are more participants in an ice-hockey tournament than in reindeer racing.
  • The Polar Night is a time when the sun shines brightly for two months.
  • A skiing marathon was added to the festival in 1934.