A

Plays are an essential part of British culture. The West End theatre district in London is the best place to watch a professional play, but acting also takes place in every school and village hall throughout the country.

There are approximately 2,500 non-professional drama groups in the UK currently and they play a significant role in community life. People from all walks of life take on acting roles in addition to their regular jobs. They do it for fun, for the love of acting and as a way to make new contacts.

Not everyone in a drama club is a skilled actor, but enthusiasm is considered to be more significant than talent. Friends, family members and neighbors take delight in getting together to watch the final performance. It offers a unique opportunity to bring communities together. Also, in many rural parts of Britain, non-professional theaters are the only chance people have to enjoy plays for miles around.

Many people get a taste for acting at school. Every school puts on a play on a yearly basis, usually at Christmas, and parents love coming to watch their children perform. Ask any British person and they’re guaranteed to have pleasant memories of being in their school’s Christmas play, whether they played the role of Mary or Joseph or perhaps even a sheep or a donkey!

Another Christmas theatre tradition is the pantomime. Pantomimes are a type of musical comedy for families. The audience is encouraged to participate in the performance—singing along with music and shouting to the actors. Pantomimes are really enjoyable to watch, particularly for children.

British people are keen on going to the theatre, professional or not, and many of them are also fond of performing. If you have the chance, go and see a play in the UK!

1£®What is not the reason for the British’s taking on acting roles?

A£®The skills they acquire from acting.

B£®The great enthusiasm for playing.

C£®The recreation they gain from acting.

D£®The needs to widen their social circles.

2£®Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A£®Enthusiasm is more important than talent for a professional actor.

B£®There are huge quantities of professional theaters in rural areas.

C£®The majority of the drama clubs are in the West End theatre district.

D£®You are welcome to interact with actors when watching Pantomimes.

3£®What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A£®To introduce Pantomimes to people worldwide.

B£®To show the rising values of British plays.

C£®To attract readers to go and see plays in the UK.

D£®To persuade readers to take on acting roles actively.