Ivrea is a town in the Piedmont province of northern Italy. It is known for its local carnival(狂欢节)organized in February.
The main part of the carnival is the famous Battle of the Oranges (La battaglia delle arance). The Battle includes nine teams who throw oranges at each other during three carnival days – Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Oranges were not always used in the battle. In the middle ages people used beans. Twice a year the local feudal lord gave a pot of beans to the poor families who, as sign of rebellion, threw them out of their homes. Later beans became part of carnival as sort of “ammunition” for throwing at people passing by.
It is still not known why exactly people started using oranges. It is believed that the origin for this tradition is in the mid 19th century. The legend says that local girls, standing on balconies, started to throw some oranges, together with confetti, lupins(白羽扇豆)and flowers, onto the parade carriages. The girls actually wanted to draw attention of boys in the carriages. Boys “answered” by throwing some objects back at girls. Little battle started that way.
Battle of the Oranges got strict rules after the World War II. The battles are organized on town's squares. The battles are fought between teams in carriages (symbolizing local the guards of local tyrant(恶霸)) and the teams walking beside those carriages (symbolizing rebellious people of Ivrea).
Oranges for the event are brought from the island of Sicily. The oranges used are of low quality, not suitable for humans. About 270,000 kilograms of oranges are used each year.
The carnival ends with a silent march on the night of “Fat Tuesday”. The Carnival "general" says goodbye to everyone with the phrase "See you next Fat Thursday at 1 p.m."
Special prizes are awarded to three best foot teams, three carriages drawn by two horses and three carriages drawn by four horses. Different elements are judged like for example throwing ability, fair play or decoration of carriages.
36. The word "
ammunition" (paragraph 3) is closest in meaning to________.
A.decoration | B.bullets | C.advertisement | D.presents |
37. In Battle of the Oranges, the teams walking beside carriages act as ________.
A.the Carnival general | B.the local feudal lord |
C.the rebellious people of Ivrea | D.the guards of local tyrant(暴君) |
38. Which of the following statements about Battle of the Oranges is NOT true?
A.In the middle ages, people threw beans out of homes as a sign of rebellion. |
B.Girls throw oranges towards carriages in the parade to attract the attention of boys inside. |
C.Tons of oranges are used every year to hold the festival. |
D.People started to throw oranges because they are of low quality and not suitable to eat. |
39. What is this passage mainly about?
A.A traditional activity in an Italian carnival |
B.The origin of Battle of the Orange |
C.How people enjoy themselves in the Orange Carnival |
D.The rules of activities in carnivals in Italy |