Legacy part two level b1 workbook

Reading

 

Quickly read the text to get the general idea. Read the questions and the four options and underline the key words. Read the text again to find out which part of it contains the answer to each question. Try to find words/phrases that mean the same as the key words you underlined. This will help you do the task.

TheWecfambe

 

Tribe

 

In the scorching heat of the Sahara Desert a celebration is getting started. But this isn’t just a party, it’s a competition -

 

one that the entrants take very seriously indeed.

Multiple choice

 

Preparing for the task

 

a) Read the question and possible answers below. Then read the first paragraph of the text. Pay attention to the underlined words/phrases.

 

What is so unusual about the beauty contest?

 

A The bright clothes.

 

B The special face paint.

 

C The contestants* hair.

 

D The people who compete

b) Which is the correct answer? How has the information been paraphrased?

* y"

I’m in Niger, in West Africa, staying with the Wodaabe tribe, a group of about 45,000 nomadic cattle herders who travel through the Sahara Desert trading cows for 10 supplies. They protect themselves from the harsh African sun by wearing a Chech, 13 metres of cotton wrapped around their heads like a turban, and a large straw hat. But perhaps what people know them best for is the high importance they place on physical beauty. The Wodaabe 15 are not ashamed of being thought to be vain and they consider themselves the most beautiful people in the world.

 

Every year the Wodaabe hold a beauty contest, called ‘Gerewol’, to celebrate the rainy season. It’s an important time for people who live in

the desert and a lot of Wodaabe gather together. Groups of 20 young men dance for hours to impress a selection of female judges. Characteristics that the Wodaabe look for are height, a long nose and bright white teeth and eyes. I’m here to witness this year’s dance and like everyone else, I can’t wait for it to start. There’s nothing like it anywhere else. 25 [•>* Getting ready for the contest can take days. The men have to make eye-catching outfits from ostrich feathers, beads and brightly-coloured materials. They also paint their faces to better show off their looks. For example, a long line painted from the forehead to the 30 chin makes the nose seem longer and more attractive.

 

[}► Soon the dance begins. The men stand in a circle, shoulder to shoulder, and move round as they dance. The women stand behind them and when their favourite competitor comes past they tap him on the shoulder. 35 Whirling in circles for hours on end under the desert sun can be exhausting, but the Wodaabe men are strong and as the contest goes on, the atmosphere becomes more highly charged.

 

Even though I’m not taking part, I find myself dancing 40 along to the music as well. It’s great fun, but before long I’m tired. By the end of the dance there are three winners.

 

The losers have to wait until next year’s Gerewol to try again. The physical endurance needed to dance and sing all day is very impressive to see. It may be a beauty 45 contest, but it certainly isn’t typical. This exciting festival highlights not only the men’s looks, but also their strength, fun-loving nature and creativity. I hope that the Wodaabe continue this fantastic celebration for some time to come. 50