阅读理解

　　The Carnival of Venice is the most important and magnificent of Venetian celebrations, a festival that attracts thousands of people each year to the city from around the world．

　　The carnival has ancient origins, a celebration that greets the passing of winter into spring, a period in which everything is apparently connected, including the dream of the more humble(低下的)classes becoming similar to the powerful, since everyone is hidden behind a mask(面具)．The Carnival of Venice officially began in 1296, when the Senate(参议院)of the Republic declared the day as a day of celebration．After a break of almost two centuries, the traditions of the carnival were recovered in 1980 and since then the event has been held with great success each year．

　　Each year has a different, basic theme for the carnival, which is developed under various points of view, For two weeks St．Marks' Square, the theaters, streets, squares and public buildings become the leading roles of numerous shows：actors, dancers and musicians bring a celebration atmosphere to the city for a few days．

　　This year, in Saint Mark's there will be a large stage where a great festival of music and dance will take place．Meanwhile, on the Grand Canal(a long straight passage filled with water)．where there will be a catwalk(狭小通道), people with Venetian masks go on board Gondolas．Various Venetian squares will enjoy live music, dance and competitions for the most beautiful mask．

　　Anyone wishing to sample aristocracy(贵族)during the carnival can go to the Venetian palaces where there are masked balls in costume．The city is home to various fashion houses where you can hire splendid period costumes, wigs(假发)and masks．

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)