There will be a week of training with real opera singers who would teach us about opera and how to sing, as well as making costumes and props（服装道具）. When I arrived on the first day we started learning one of our songs. It would be the opening song of the show. Later that day we could audition for a part in the story.

Over the next few days we started making our props and costume with the special designers. The prop making was fun but was VERY sticky! When everything was made we started to rehearse（排演） with our masks. We were put into two singing groups, Aslant’ s army and the Queen’s army.

There were four teachers with us during the week who helped us to learn about opera. They told us lots of interesting things, including how important your muscles are when you are singing and all about breathing properly. I loved the sound of different voices used in opera. 

In the evening, we performed in front of a large crowd outside the forum in Norwich（挪利其广场）which made me feel a bit nervous—but I got over my nerves and I really enjoyed it. I think everybody did very well, especially the people who had to sing solos（独唱）.

On the last song of performance（演出）, everyone was really strong and did his best and I think everyone had a great time.

The opera boot-camp was a great week for me. It was so much fun and I really hope that Opera Brava comes back again.

  1. We can learn from the passage that the training lasted for        . 

     A. two days             B. four days           C. seven days          D. ten days

  2. What did they do on the first day of the camp? 

     A. They made costumes and props.          B. They learned one of their songs.

     C. They rehearsed with their masks          D. They were taught how to sing

  3. What did the writer think of the performance?

     A. It was nervous.                                  B. It was important.

     C. It was difficult.                                  D. It was a success.

  4. The passage is mainly about          . 

     A. an opera boot-camp                            B. an opera show

     C. an interesting song                             D. opera

Alan, Sato and Fanny are from different parts of the world. They write in a magazine about how people celebrate Halloween in their countries. Read their articles.

　My name is Alan. I live in Beijing. We do not really celebrate Halloween here but my friends and I watch frightening films on TV. We do not wear special costumes. We do not go to our neighbours' houses. This year, I will have a small Halloween party at home. I will draw a pumpkin and put it on the wall. I will wear a ghost costume that night.

　　My name is Sato. I am from Japan. We do not celebrate Halloween at home. In October,Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and everyone in Tokyo Disneyland wear orange clothes. They paint the houses orange in Toontown. On 31st October, they have a costume parade at four o'clock in the afternoon. A parade is a line of people walking in the street. Everyone wears special costumes. Last year, a lot of people wore Pikachu costumes, Some people wore Batman costumes.

　　My name is Fanny. I am from New York. Halloween is a very exciting festival here. In early October, we go to the farms and buy pumpkins. We make faces on the pumpkins to make lanterns. We also buy costumes from shops. Last year, I bought a witch costume. On October 31st, we dress up and knock on our neighbors' doors and say 'trick or treat’. Then they give us candies. We see 'witches' and 'ghosts' everywhere.

Peter has read the articles in the magazine. He wants to tell his friends about Halloween in Japan and New York. Help him complete the sentences. Circle the correct letters.

(1) In Tokyo Disneyland, everyone wears ________ clothes at Halloween.

　A. yellow  B. orange  C. white

(2) In Toontown, there is a costume parade at ________ o'clock in the afternoon.

　A. four  B. six  C. eight

(3) People in New York make faces on pumpkins to make _______.

　A. balloons  B. farms  C. lanterns

(4) In New York, children dress up as ghosts and knock on their neighbours' doors to say'________’.

　A. trick or treat

　B. Happy Halloween

　C. Merry Christmas