阅读理解。
Throughout history there have always been people who can make other people
laugh. Early clowns often both annoyed and delighted listeners with their comments
and songs. They Were not the silent performers seen in today's circus rings. Clowns
lost their voices when the big three-ring circuses made it impossible for the audience
to hear them. |
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Circus clowns give performances in various ways. Walk-around clowns use an animal or something, like
a huge rubber hammer, as part of their performance. A carpet clown moves around, talking with the audience
and performing while the acts change in the rings. Then there are acrobatic clowns, tiding clowns, juggling
downs and others.
Everything a clown does looks easy, but it is not. Making people laugh can be hard work. Clowns must be
in good physical condition to prevent injuries. Each funny move is carefully timed and well-rehearsed (排练).
Most clowns have also been trained as acrobats, jugglers or aerial artists, and many include such skills into their
acts.
Generally, there are three types of circus clowns-whiteface, auguste and character. Each has a special
makeup and clothes. Each has a typical act as well.
The neat whiteface is usually a strict, in-charge character who sets up the punch line (the point of a joke)
with a partner who is typically an auguste. His facial makeup is neatly detailed in red or black, and his clothes
look so loose with a ruffle around the neck.
Old circus stories have it that the auguste clown got his name from a German nickname for someone who
is clumsy, acting in a careless and stupid way. The auguste wears light-coloured makeup, but white is used
around the mouth and eyes, and there's a big red nose. This clown performs a great deal of humour. An
oversized suit or baggy trousers allow freedom of movement for all the clumsy acts. He also wears big shoes.
Character clowns perform as different characters-cowboys, grandmothers or concert conductors. The
most famous character clown, however, is the tramp (流浪汉). Tramps wear different styles of makeup and
torn clothes. Some tramp clowns are happy-go-lucky. Others are extremely sad. Still others act like gentlemen
who just happen to be out of money.
1. By saying that clowns "lost their voices", the author means they _____.
A. became silent to avoid annoying people
B. began to perform silently because of larger audiences
C. realized audience members often spoke another language
D. discovered that three-ring circuses were becoming more popular
2. How is Paragraph 3 mainly developed?
A. By describing details.
B. By listing effects.
C. By making comparison.
D. By giving explanations.
3. If a clown is dressed in baggy clothing, which set of clowns does he belong to?
A. The auguste and the whiteface.
B. The walk-around and the tramp.
C. The carpet clown and the cowboy.
D. The riding clown and the conductor.
4. In what way is the whiteface different from the auguste?
A. He has a larger audience.
B. He wears more attractive clothes.
C. He performs in a special circus ring.
D. He plays a leading role in performances.
5. Why did the author write this article?
A. To give some basic facts about clowns.
B. To express his opinion on circus clowns.
C. To tell readers about the history of clowns.
D. To describe the hard work circus clowns do.