第二篇
Dancing in the Streets
If there is one thing certain to get Brazilians on their feet, it is the Rio Carnival (狂欢节). Held in Rio de Janeiro, the country's biggest city, the carnival began on February 20 when the mayor gave key of the city to Rei Momo -- the Lord of Misrule (无序之皇).
On his orders, each year people turn the city into a paradise of dance and music. The following six days are so full of parades, street dancing, fantastic clothes and partying (聚 会) that many people forget about eating and sleeping.
"It was the passion of the carnival that attracted me to Brazil and made me settle down in Rio," said Bob Nadkarni, a British man who has lived in the city for several years. For many Brazilians, the centrepiece of the carnival is samba (桑巴舞), a typical Brazilian dance. Every year, tens of thousands of visitors and locals show off their passion and energy in the streets, following the beat (节拍) of the Latin music.
The climax to this street party is the float (彩车) parade, in which floats decorated with tons of fresh flowers by various samba schools and local communities move through the city. On the top of each float stands the candidate for the Drum Queen, who is chosen at the end of the party.
While most people are free to enjoy the celebrations, Rio's police officers have to keep a clear head. Following the murder of three officers in a gunfight early last week, the Brazilian Government has tightened security in Rio. The street fighting, robbery and sex crimes that accompany the carnival are very difficult to police.
Carnivals began in ancient Rome as a celebration at which people fed wild wolves, in honors of the city's founder who was said to have been raised by a she-wolf. Brazil gave new life to this tradition and so, despite the troubles, the carnival will remain a symbol of the country's culture.
6 According to the passage, during the Carnival people in Rio did all of the following EXCEPT
A dancing in the streets
B putting on colorful clothes
C eating a lot of food
D holding exciting parades
7 How long does the carnival last?
A Six days
B A whole week
C Eight days
D The whole of February
8 The word "centerpiece" in the 3rd paragraph means
A the most important part
B the middle part
C the central part of the city
D the most attractive decoration
9 According to the passage, Bob Nadkami is
A a Brazilian who has come back from Britain.
B a British man who visits Rio for the carnival
C a British man who has come to live in Brazil
D a Brazilian who is attracted by the carnival
10 Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
A The earliest carnivals were held in ancient Rome.
B Carnivals were originally a tradition of the Brazilians.
C Carnivals were originally a tradition of the Romans.
13 The Brazilians have integrated the Roman carnival into their culture.
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