Page 46 - index

2012 ‫מועד יולי‬ - 45 - ‫ פרק שנ י‬- ‫ אנגלית‬

Reading Comprehension

This part consists of two passages, each followed by several related questions. For each
question, choose the most appropriate answer based on the text.

Text I (Questions 20-24)

(1) Martha Graham is regarded by many as the twentieth century's most revolutionary
dancer and choreographer. In the course of her seventy-year career, she experimented
with a wide variety of styles and techniques, abandoning the traditional steps and
smooth, "effortless" movements of classical ballet. Graham believed that dance, like

(5) life, was all about work and made no attempt in her dances to hide the effort required to
perform them. Instead of the straight legs and symmetry of classical ballet, Graham's
dances incorporated bent legs and angular turns. Strong emotions, which she felt were
an important part of dance, were expressed by means of jerky movements. The dancers
would even fall to the floor, startling audiences who were accustomed to dancers

(10) soaring through the air.

Graham also created new stage devices, such as moveable scenery and
representational props, which later became commonplace in the world of dance. In her
dances, the classical ballet dress was replaced by dramatic, long-skirted costumes or
leotards. The latter had, until then, been worn only during dance practice. Graham was

(15) also the first white choreographer to integrate African Americans into her dance troupe.

Martha Graham died at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy of 180 dance pieces. As
a teacher, she trained and inspired generations of dancers and choreographers. Her
methods are still taught all over the world and have had a lasting influence on many
schools of dance.

Questions

20. The main purpose of the text is to discuss -

(1) twentieth-century dance
(2) classical ballet
(3) an important choreographer
(4) the role of emotions in dance

21. According to the first paragraph, Martha Graham -

(1) believed that emotions had no place in dance
(2) tried new methods and forms of dance
(3) based her dances on classical ballet
(4) wanted her dances to look smooth and effortless

)‫© כל הזכויות שמורות למרכז ארצי לבחינות ולהערכה (ע"ר‬

.‫ בלא אישור בכתב מהמרכז הארצי לבחינות ולהערכה‬- ‫ כולה או חלקים ממנה‬- ‫ או ללמדה‬,‫אין להעתיק או להפיץ בחינה זו או קטעים ממנה בכל צורה ובכל אמצעי‬