Practice English Reading Exercises for B1 – Theater, Shows & Film Studios 4
Reading 1
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a circus or acrobatic performance to watch.
There are descriptions of eight circus shows.
Decide which circus show would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Lucas loves feeling the thrill of watching dangerous stunts. He firmly believes circuses shouldn’t use animals, so he wants a human-only show. He also enjoys a lively atmosphere and wants a performance featuring very loud music.
2 Emma is taking her young children and needs an afternoon performance so they aren’t out late. She wants a show that focuses on funny clowns to make them laugh, and she needs a place that serves hot meals.
3 David is a university student looking for a cheap ticket. He wants to watch an evening performance under the stars. After the show, he hopes to join a practical workshop to learn some basic acrobatic skills himself.
4 Sofia loves traditional circuses and really wants to see trained animals performing tricks. She prefers an indoor venue so she won’t get cold. Before leaving, she hopes to visit a shop to buy some special gifts.
5 Alex and Sam enjoy mysterious magic tricks and illusions. They love classical music and want a show with a traditional orchestra playing softly. Afterwards, they would absolutely love the opportunity to meet the acrobats and take photos.
Circus and Acrobatic Performances
A Sky High Thrills
Experience the ultimate excitement! Our brave gymnasts perform terrifying jumps and high-wire drops that will leave you amazed. We feature absolutely zero wildlife, relying entirely on incredible human talent. The atmosphere is electric, with a live rock band playing heavy, high-volume beats throughout the entire breathtaking evening performance! Don’t miss it!
B The Smiling Ring
Bring the family for a fantastic midday treat! Our 2 p.m. event is packed with hilarious comedy acts and silly characters that guarantee giggles for everyone. You won’t go hungry either, as our large restaurant offers a delicious menu of warm dishes and fresh snacks during the interval. Book your seats today!
C Twilight Tumblers
Join us after dark for a spectacular open-air display of gymnastics. If you’re studying, just show your ID for a fantastic reduction on the entry price. The excitement doesn’t stop when the display ends; guests can step into the ring for a practical class to practice tumbling and balancing! It’s great fun!
D The Grand Big Top
Step inside our huge, heated tent and escape the weather! You will be amazed by our intelligent horses and clever dogs as they complete incredible routines. Once the entertainment concludes, don’t forget to stop by our wonderful visitor store to purchase lovely souvenirs and presents to take home. It’s a magical experience.
E Mystic Wonders
Prepare to be confused by our brilliant mind-readers and impossible disappearing acts! A gentle, live symphony provides a beautiful, relaxing soundtrack to the mystery. When the curtain closes, head to the main lobby where the talented stars will be waiting to say hello and pose for your camera. It’s a night to remember.
F Brave Beasts
Prepare for a heart-stopping show! Watch daring professionals complete risky mid-air swings and brave fire routines. We also present a beautiful parade of elephants and tigers. The whole performance is accompanied by quiet, peaceful background tunes, making it a calming yet exciting experience for all ages inside our tent. Buy tickets now.
G Daytime Dynamics
This daytime event starts at 1 p.m. and offers amazing value with special discounts for all ages. Enjoy the comedy and acrobatics, then join our professionals for a short lesson on juggling! Please note that we only sell cold drinks, so eating beforehand is highly recommended. Enjoy the lovely sunshine!
H Power & Sound
Come and see the most athletic gymnasts in the country! The energy is huge, backed by a DJ blasting energetic, booming pop tracks. After the incredible display of human strength, guests are welcome to chat with the acrobats. We focus purely on gymnastics, so expect zero illusions here. Book your tickets today!
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E
Reading 2
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a classical ballet performance to attend.
There are descriptions of eight ballet performances.
Decide which performance would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Sarah loves watching romantic stories about people falling in love. She wants to hear a live orchestra playing the music during the performance. As a student, she doesn’t have much money, so she needs a show with cheap tickets.
2 Mark wants to see famous professional dancers performing on stage. He is only free in the afternoon, so he needs a daytime show. He also prefers to watch a brand-new, modern ballet rather than an old, traditional classic.
3 Emma is taking her family to the ballet. She wants a funny story that will make them laugh. They need a restaurant inside to eat dinner, and the theatre must be very close to a train station.
4 David wants to take his wife to a beautiful outdoor theatre under the stars. They both love watching romantic stories. They also expect to see a high-quality performance by top professional dancers from a well-known company.
5 Chloe is looking for an evening performance that starts after eight o’clock. She really wants to experience beautiful music played by a live orchestra. Before leaving, she hopes to buy a special souvenir to remember the amazing night.
Classical Ballet Performances
A The Glass Heart
This beautiful tale of two young lovers will definitely melt your heart. A large group of talented musicians plays all the classical instruments live right in front of the stage. Special discount prices are available for students, making it an incredibly affordable and wonderful night out for everyone.
B City Shadows
This recently written piece brings a fresh, 21st-century style to the stage. You will be amazed by the incredible skills of our international experts who have trained for years. The curtains open at 2:00 p.m. this weekend, which is perfect for guests who prefer to be safely home before dark.
C The Magic Hat
Prepare to smile and laugh out loud at this hilarious comedy on stage! Getting here is extremely easy, as the city’s main railway platforms are just a two-minute walk away. Visitors can also enjoy a delicious hot meal in our excellent dining room before the brilliant dancing begins.
D Lake of Love
Experience true passion as you watch this heartbreaking tale of a prince and princess. The performance features highly trained stars from the National Ballet Company. Bring a warm coat, as you will be sitting on the grass in the park under the night sky to enjoy the show.
E Midnight Dream
The show begins at 8:30 p.m. and features a fantastic group of real musicians playing string and wind instruments. After the final dance, don’t forget to visit our lovely gift shop in the hall, where you can purchase beautiful posters and books to take home with you. It is a truly magical experience.
F The Rose Garden
This is a beautiful tale about a couple searching for true love. It is completely free to enter, so it won’t cost you a penny! However, instead of a band, we use high-quality recorded tracks for the audio. The show takes place in our cozy indoor hall. It’s perfect for a rainy afternoon.
G Future Steps
Enjoy an exciting, brand-new piece of choreography accompanied by a fantastic band of musicians playing their instruments live. The performance starts at 9:00 p.m. Please note that the performers are all enthusiastic local high school students performing on stage for the very first time in their lives. Come and support our young community!
H The Dancing Bear
Watch our highly trained, world-class performers in this incredibly amusing comedy that will make everyone smile. We are located in a beautiful forest setting far from any public transport. Guests should bring their own food, as we do not have any cafes or shops on the site. Enjoy the fresh air and art.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E
Reading 3
For each question, choose the correct answer.
The people below all want to find a magic and illusion theater show to watch.
There are descriptions of eight magic productions.
Decide which magic show would be the most suitable for the people below.
1 Leo wants to see an exciting show focused on mind-reading tricks. He is only free late in the evening and needs to find an option with cheap ticket prices because he does not have much money to spend.
2 Sofia loves shows with plenty of audience participation where she can go on stage. She wants to attend a weekend afternoon performance and hopes the theater has a nice café to buy a snack.
3 Wei is fascinated by disappearing acts and large illusions. He doesn’t drive, so the venue must be close to a train station. He also wants to buy a booklet about the history of the show.
4 Amira is looking for a magic show that is suitable for young children. Her family wants an outdoor performance in a park, and it must cost nothing because they are on a strict budget.
5 Diego wants to watch amazing card tricks up close. He loves taking photos and wants a theater that allows cameras during the performance. He is busy on weekends, so he can only visit on a weekday.
Magic and Illusion Theater Shows
A The Thought Chamber
Unlock the secrets of the human brain in this incredible night-time show starting at 9 p.m. Our master entertainer specializes in guessing people’s thoughts and hidden secrets. Best of all, tickets are sold at highly affordable low prices, making it a perfect choice for anyone looking for great budget entertainment in the city.
B Interactive Wonders
This lively production is perfect for people who want to be part of the magic! The magician regularly invites guests from the crowd onto the stage to help with the performance. Enjoy our weekend matinee sessions every Saturday at 2 p.m. Afterwards, visit our wonderful on-site coffee shop for delicious snacks and warm drinks.
C The Vanishing Society
Prepare to be amazed as huge boxes and large objects vanish right before your eyes! Reaching our historic venue is incredibly simple without a vehicle, as we are located directly opposite the city’s central railway platform. Don’t forget to visit our gift stall to buy an informative souvenir programme full of cast interviews.
D Magic under the Stars
This fantastic open-air production is held in our beautiful public garden under the trees. It is completely welcoming for all ages, making it a wonderful afternoon out for parents with toddlers. Best of all, the entire event is free of charge, so you won’t need to pay a single penny to enter.
E Close-Up Masters
Come and see the winners of this poetry competition. The theme was the natural world and the poets will be performing their work in the beautiful surroundings of Kimberley Park. Entry costs £2. Children under 11 are free.
F Night Alterations
Join us for a mysterious journey into mental illusions and thought-reading experiments. This late-night performance begins at 10 p.m. inside our luxury private hall. Please note that tickets are quite expensive and must be booked far in advance. We are located in the deep countryside, so guests must arrive in their own cars.
G The Magic Circle
This indoor theater production is famous for its bright lights and amazing illusions. Audiences love it because the cast invites volunteers from the crowd to participate in every trick. Our family afternoon shows are perfect for kids. However, our theater has no café or restaurant, so please bring your own bottles of water.
H Deck Mysteries
Watch stunning tricks with cards and coins in our cozy theater room. We are located just a two-minute walk from the central railway station for easy transport. Our spectacular performances are held exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays. Please note that taking videos or capturing photographs is strictly forbidden during the show to protect our secrets.
ANSWER KEY
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 D 5 E
