65 0123456789101112 N A both slid helplessly I look like B cheers from the audience J managed to stay C chorus developed K next character D difficult dance L promptly kicked off E fall head first M reduce the risk F find the stage N represent the interior G had not paused O safe structure H hero of the opera Read this text about a rather unusual opera performance. Some parts are missing. Choose the correct part (A–O) for each gap (1–12). There are two extra parts that you should not use. Write your answers in the boxes provided. The first one (0) has been done for you. LANGUAGE IN USE 10 The missing lemon juice Picture the scene! The set for Act I of the opera consisted of a platform laid over the stage, raised about a foot at the back and sloping to the footlights. This was meant to (0) of the Temple where the sacred flame burned and had therefore to (1) marble. The designer had achieved this by covering the raised stage in Formica2. But the Formica was slippery. To (2) of a performer taking a tumble, the designer and stage manager discovered that an ample sprinkling of lemon juice made the surface sufficiently sticky to provide a secure foothold. However, the theatre cleaner, inspecting the premises before the performance, was horrified and indignant to (3) covered in the remains of a spilt liquid and, inspired by professional pride, gave it a good scrub and polish all over. When the performance started, the (4) strode onto the stage and instantly fell flat on his back. He struggled to his feet, singing all the while, for the music (5) , and tried to make his way upstage to where he should have been in the first place. Finding this difficult, indeed impossible, he decided to stay where he was, singing bravely on. The (6) to enter was the hero’s trusted friend. From the moment he stepped onto the stage, he began to slide downhill, arms flailing. His progress was halted when he bumped against his friend with a thud, and, locked in each other’s arms, they (7) towards the orchestra pit – all the while singing their duet. The two heroes managed to stop their joint slide and decided that the only (8) was the marble pillar at centre stage, where the sacred flame burned. They reached their destination, but at that moment, the chorus entered and immediately launched into a very freely choreographed downhill slide. Observing this from the wings, the heroine (9) her shoes and removed her tights. Throughout it all, the singing never stopped for a moment. The (10) an instinctive understanding of the principles of co-operation, and, by holding hands – with those closest to the two heroes clutching onto them – they finally (11) upright. The first act of the opera ended with (12) never before heard in an opera house. During the interval before Act II, a member of the production team paced back and forth across the stage, sprinkling it with lemon juice, allowing the rest of the performance to continue without any problems. 2 Formica: Markenname für eine robuste Schichtstoffplatte; wird oft für Tische, Arbeitsplatten und Möbel verwendet Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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