DEPARTMENT FOR CURRICULUM, LEVEL LIFELONG LEARNING AND EMPLOYABILITY Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes 5 - 6 - 7 Educational Assessment Unit Annual Examinations for Middle Schools 2019 YEAR 8 ENGLISH COMPREHENSION TEXT Text 1 Living Statues – the Art of not falling over 1 The first living statue goes back to the ancient Greeks where members of the public would pose for famous sculptors. However, in reality, the living statue first 5 appeared in the 19th century as a circus performance. In the early 20th century, living statues became more famous thanks to ‘tableaux vivants’. These consisted of a group of 10 actors who would pose and be lit in a particular way so as to appear like paintings. Since that time, living statues have appeared in films. “The Phantom of the 15 Opera” and “Hot Fuzz” are two films that have shown living statues on screen. Moving from the inside to the outside, street performances have increased in the following years too. Various living statues 20 appeared in places all over Europe such as Covent Garden in London, La Rambla in Barcelona and lately also in Republic Street in Valletta. As it turns out, being a living statue is not that easy. A living statue will do “solitude” sessions of 30 minutes to an hour followed by a quick five- 25 minute break and then repeat. This can go on for several hours. It is tiring on the body and a wibble or a wobble can ruin their performance. Some living statues can go for an hour without blinking and they also make sure that people do not see them breathe. The living statue world is a highly competitive one. As they make money 30 mainly from tourists, multiple statues will end up gathering in the same area. If no money is thrown in front of the living statue, the performer doesn’t get paid that day. However, those who do their job well can earn up to €250 a day. For the living statue élite, it is possible to abandon the streets and be hired for important events. English – Comprehension Text – Year 8 – L5 to L7 – 2019 Page 1 of 2 If you are a living statue or fascinated by the idea of becoming one, there 35 is only one place for you – Arnhem, Netherlands. Every year, towards the end of summer, it holds the World Living Statue Festival complete with the World Championship of Living Statues. Hundreds of statues and thousands more visitors meet there each year. Afterwards, all the living statues take part in a massive parade through the city. No wonder that it is the perfect place to get noticed! (Adapted from http://allthatsinteresting.com/living-statues) Text 2 Hire a living human statue for the price of €350 Have the luxury of a person performing for three 30-minute sessions Choose from Gold, Silver or Bronze statues Perfect for providing entertainment and adding an artistic touch to your event For more information send us an email on: [email protected] (Adapted from https://www.alivenetwork.com/bandpage.asp?bandname=Living%20Human%20Statues) Page 2 of 2 English – Comprehension Text – Year 8 – L5 to L7 – 2019 .