flamenco

The world of flamenco ​ (a)   me greatly. That is why I decided to find out more about it, to discover more about where it comes ​ (b)   .

Flamenco is originally from Andalucía, a ​ (c)   in southern Spain. It was originally the ​ (d)   of Spanish gypsies who ​ (e)   to southern Spain through Iran, Iraq, Greece and Turkey.

• interests
• from
• region
• dance
• came
• loves

The gypsies used all of these different ​ (a)   to create the flamenco dance and music.

The gypsies were very ​ (b)   from the Spaniards. They ​ (c)   not Castilian but their own language. Their clothes were also different, and for these reasons Spanish society tried to ​ (d)   them.

• cultures
• different
• spoke
• reject
• reasons

The gypsies ​ (a)   Moorish (Arabic), Jewish and African influences to form flamenco. Flamenco music often ​ (b)   sorrowful, reflecting the hard lives of the gypsies who ​ (c)   to do manual work to get by. The roots of flamenco therefore ​ (d)   us back to lives of hardship and sadness.

• used
• sounds
• had
• lead
• made
• impresses
• follow

However, it was in Jerez de la Frontera that the gypsies managed to find their place. They managed to ​ (a)   into society and were more ​ (b)   by the Spaniards.

I spent my Erasmus year in Cádiz, a city in Andalucía which is ​ (c)   for its flamenco. There were so many opportunities to see flamenco shows.

• integrate
• accepted
• famous
• blend
• adopted
• widely

Their style of flamenco is known for having a more jolly and _____ style, which I enjoyed. People also say that their flamenco is influenced by the sea, which is an integral part of life in Cádiz;

• downtempo

• upbeat

• chilled

it is ​ (a)   by water and has lots of beautiful beaches with ​ (b)   sand. For this reason, I ​ (c)   their flamenco took on a more relaxed style.

What I really like about flamenco is the beautiful ​ (d)   the women wear.

• surrounded
• soft
• believe
• outfits
• suits
• creations

They are often red and flowing and the women often wear a red f (a)   in their hair. The flamenco movements convey lots of ​ (b)   and energy, and I like the way the dancers’ shoes make a ‘clacking’ ​ (c)   on the floor as they dance.

• flower
• passion
• sound
• impression
• ornament

Their movements are sudden and ​ (a)   lots of suspense and emotion.

I am glad to finally ​ (b)   the roots of flamenco; its history is so interesting, and we owe ​ (c)   to the gypsies who created it using their influences from all ​ (d)   the world.

• create
• know
• everything
• around
• familiar
• many
• through

Now flamenco can be ______ by everyone, and I certainly hope to see more flamenco ______ and maybe even learn a few _____!

• taught, shows, dances

• learned, dancers, tangos

• trained, spectacles, moves

• enjoyed, shows, steps

Now let's see how much you've remembered, ok?

• absolutely yes!

• thank you so much

• with pleasure!

• I've been dreaming about it!