Read the text, in which seven sentences have been removed. Choose from the sentences (A-H) the one that fits each gap, keeping in mind that there is one extra sentence

A The warmer weather meant that firewood was no longer needed, so the ritual was a celebration of the coming spring.

B The crowd begins to chant as the street lights are extinguished, throwing the city into darkness.

C Local firemen have devised ways to protect the buildings of Valencia.

D This single ninot will be the only one to survive.

E Parades, beauty pageants and paella contests are among the many things that can be seen during the festival.

F As the ninots turn to ash, one final, kaleidoscopic display of fireworks accompanies their demise.

G These highly-detailed sculptures can stand as high as 20 metres tall and are created by artists from all across Spain.

H There is also a marching brass band to ensure that all residents are up and ready to join in the fun!

Las Fallas

In the streets of Valencia, Spain, there is one festival that is guaranteed to go out with a bang! Every year in March, millions of people gather to witness an awe-inspiring spectacle of art, culture and above all, flames! This is not one for the faint-hearted; this is The Festival of Fire. Known locally as Las Fallas, the festival involves the creation of hundreds of ninots; statues made from papier-mâché, wood and plaster. [ ]They take manymonths to make and can cost up to £50,000!

The ninots take many forms such as cartoon characters, celebrities and even politicians. Festival goers are invited to judge the sculptures and a winner is announced at the close of the festival. [ ]The rest are condemned to go up in flames.

This unique tradition dates back to the Middle Ages when carpenters burned their wooden scraps after winter had passed. [ ]Over time, this ritual grew into a much larger and more flamboyant affair. Now, it is a four-day street party that is sure to be a blast!

The festival starts with a deafening chorus of firecrackers that go off at 8 o'clock in the morning! The firecrackers are so excessively loud that they set off car and shop alarms across the city. But if all this commotion isn't enough to wake you, then don't worry.

[ ]After a rather rude awakening, visitors can enjoy all the attractions that Las Fallas has to offer. [ ]All of these events are accompanied by the boom of firecrackers as they spontaneously explode around the city. Then finally, each night is topped with a spectacular fireworks display that builds up to day four: The Burning.

With the crowd's favourite ninot safely stored away in the local museum, the atmosphere becomes electric. Each of the remaining sculptures are stuffed full of explosives in preparation for what is to come. [ ]And then the countdown begins...

At the stroke of midnight on the 19th March, Valencia is set ablaze. [ ]It is a scene of both beauty and destruction, and for some, it brings a tear to the eye. This pivotal moment reminds people to put the past behind them and welcome the onset of spring as well as the future.