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PASSAGE 2

Read the text and answer questions 14–26

Pantomime

Paragraph A
A pantomime performance is a unique blend of eccentricity and absurdity, a wild mixture of songs, jokes, outrageous costumes and slapstick physical humour. For many British children, their first family trip to see a pantomime in the Christmas holiday season is their introduction to the magic of the theatre. But what has become a quintessentially British form of entertainment is more than just simple fun. As an art form, pantomime presents a tale of good and evil, where hope finally triumphs after danger and virtual despair.

Paragraph B
The story of pantomime begins with the commedia dell'arte tradition in 16th-century Italy. These improvised shows took place in streets and marketplaces in Italy and eventually throughout Europe. Distinctive masks enabled audiences to recognise the people in these stories immediately; they also allowed actors to be rude or disrespectful without fear of being recognised. The key roles in the cast were invariably rich old men, usually portrayed as cowardly and disreputable; young lovers whose parents refuse to let them marry; and ingenious and quick-witted servants. Many commedia plots show the latter, whose lives are a constant struggle to find food and money, outwitting the old men or overthrowing their masters. This theme of the victory of the underdog is still an essential feature of pantomime today.

Paragraph C
In the 18th century, the tradition crossed the Channel to England, where it merged with existing British folk plays, seasonal festivals, and the Harlequinade—a comic interlude featuring the mischievous Harlequin. John Rich, an actor-manager, was instrumental in shaping early English pantomime by combining silent mime, dance, and elaborate special effects. By the Victorian era, pantomime had become a Christmas fixture, with theatres competing to stage the most spectacular productions. The familiar fairy-tale and nursery-rhyme stories—like Cinderella, Aladdin, and Dick Whittington—became standard plots, adapted to include topical jokes, audience participation, and cross-dressing roles, most notably the "Dame" played by a man and the "Principal Boy" played by a woman. >> 🔥 Form đăng kí giải đề thi thật IELTS 4 kĩ năng kèm bài giải bộ đề 100 đề PART 2 IELTS SPEAKING quý đang thi (update hàng tuần) từ IELTS TUTOR

Paragraph D
Audience interaction is a defining characteristic of pantomime. Children are encouraged to shout warnings to the hero (“He’s behind you!”) and boo the villain whenever he or she appears. This participatory element breaks the “fourth wall” and creates a shared, lively experience that bridges the stage and the seats. The predictable call-and-response rituals give the performance a communal, almost ritualistic quality, turning spectators into active contributors to the story.

Paragraph E
Despite its popularity, pantomime has sometimes been criticized by cultural commentators as frivolous, unsophisticated, or excessively commercial. Defenders argue that its enduring appeal lies precisely in its accessibility and its blend of tradition with contemporary relevance. Pantomimes often include witty references to current events, celebrities, and politics, ensuring that each production feels fresh and connected to the moment, even as it retells centuries-old stories.

Paragraph F
Today, pantomime remains a vibrant and commercially successful part of British theatre, with professional productions in major cities and countless amateur performances in village halls. While its form continues to evolve—incorporating pop songs, celebrity guest stars, and digital scenery—its heart remains unchanged: a celebration of resilience, justice, and communal joy, wrapped in glitter and laughter. >> 🔥 Nhắn zalo 0905834420 join group zalo Hóng đề thi máy 4 skills để cập nhật đề thi thật 4 kĩ năng hằng ngày [Kèm giải & đề làm online]

Questions 14–20

Reading Passage 2 has seven paragraphs, A–F.
Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below.
Choose the correct number, i–viii, in boxes 14–20.

List of Headings

i A character who provoked sympathy and amusement
ii Outdoor performances with a standard set of characters
iii Pantomime as a means of focusing on political issues
iv Discovering pantomime at a young age
v A way of dealing with a negative attitude toward pantomime
vi The integration of pantomime into British seasonal tradition
vii Debate about the origins of pantomime
viii A successful merging of artistic sources

1. Paragraph A

2. Paragraph B

3. Paragraph C

4. Paragraph D

5. Paragraph E

6. Paragraph F

7. [Not used in this set]

Questions 21–23

Complete the sentences below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer. >> 🔥 IELTS TUTOR gợi ý tham khảo CẦN VIẾT & THU ÂM BAO NHIÊU BÀI ĐỂ ĐẠT 8.0 SPEAKING & 7.0 WRITING?

1. Commedia dell'arte actors used ________ to disguise their real identity.

2. The key theme of the underdog’s victory remains an ________ feature of pantomime.

3. In Victorian times, pantomime became a Christmas ________.

Questions 24–26
Choose THREE letters, A–F.

Which THREE of the following are mentioned as characteristics of traditional pantomime?

A. Performed only by professional actors
B. Includes cross-dressing roles
C. Based on ancient Greek myths
D. Encourages audience participation
E. Always performed in silence
F. Adapts fairy-tale stories

14. iv
15. ii
16. viii
17. i
18. v
19. vi
20. —
21. masks
22. essential
23. fixture
24. B
25. D
26. F
 

📩 MN AI CHƯA CÓ ĐÁP ÁN FORECAST QUÝ MỚI PART 1-2-3 NHẮN ZL 0905834420 IELTS TUTOR GỬI FREE HẾT NHA