Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 91%

Let's Go to the Circus
Everyone loves a circus! The bright lights, fanciful costumes, and fierce wild animals delight and entertain folks of all ages. The circus calls to the child in each one of us. Ernest Hemingway wrote that it "is the only ageless delight that you can buy for money..."
"Circus" is a magic word inspiring all sorts of exciting, colorful images. It's a theater of mind-boggling feats, elephants thundering around the rings, horses dancing, clowns cavorting and the sequins glittering under the lights.
There are historical references to animal displays and athletic competitions from the earliest days of civilization. The Romans were famous for their extravaganzas in the Coliseum. The shows we see today cannot compare to those great spectacles, but all who go to a circus enjoy the experience. It allows us all to be a child again and watch in awe as the athletes perform on the high wire or control the savage beasts in the center ring.

What information is given in the paragraph?

Rationale

The Romans staged extravaganzas.

The paragraph details the historical roots of the circus, noting that the Romans were renowned for their extravagant shows in the Coliseum. This reference highlights the grandeur and historical significance of circus-like entertainment, establishing a connection between ancient and modern spectacles.

A (Ernest Hemingway did not like circuses.) YOUR ANSWER

The text actually conveys that Ernest Hemingway appreciated circuses, describing them as "the only ageless delight that you can buy for money." This suggests a positive view, contrary to the implication that he disliked them.

B (The Romans staged extravaganzas.) CORRECT

The paragraph explicitly mentions that the Romans were famous for their extravaganzas in the Coliseum, aligning directly with this choice. It underscores the rich history and tradition of grand public entertainments akin to the circus.

C ("Circus" is an Italian word.) YOUR ANSWER

The passage does not discuss the etymology of the word "circus." It focuses on the imagery and excitement the word inspires, but does not mention its linguistic origins or connections to the Italian language.

D (The costumes of the clowns are outrageous.) YOUR ANSWER

While the text describes fanciful costumes and clowns cavorting, it does not specifically label the costumes as "outrageous." The emphasis is on the general spectacle and excitement rather than on specific attributes of the costumes.

Conclusion

The passage provides a brief overview of the circus's historical and cultural appeal, emphasizing its continuity from Roman extravaganzas to contemporary performances. Among the given choices, only the statement about the Romans staging extravaganzas is directly supported by the text. Other options either misinterpret or extrapolate beyond the provided information, making them incorrect interpretations of the passage.

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