The Carnival of Venice

1. The passage says, “During this holiday, the social order was turned on its head.”

What is the meaning of the phrase turned on its head?

• 𝖠 harmed or injured

• 𝖡 reversed; set upside down

• 𝖢 made stronger

• 𝖣 masked; hidden by disguise

2. “Carnival took place just before the period of Lent, a time when strict Catholics abstained from eating meat.” What is the meaning of abstained?

• 𝖠 disliked intensely

• 𝖡 enjoyed fully

• 𝖢 refrained voluntarily

• 𝖣 celebrated freely

3. In the 1500s, officials in Venice introduced costume balls in order to —

• 𝖠 outlaw masks all year-round.

• 𝖡 dethrone the “King of Chaos.”

• 𝖢 make Carnival more artistic and less violent.

• 𝖣 let people shed their identities and act as they wished.

4. What happened after Venice’s importance declined?

• 𝖠 Masked parties were introduced.

• 𝖡 Theater productions became more important to the Carnival.

• 𝖢 Violence increased during the Carnival.

• 𝖣 Carnival became less popular.

5. Based on the information in this passage, which adjective best describes the long-ago Carnival in Venice?

• 𝖠 rowdy

• 𝖡 organized

• 𝖢 serious

• 𝖣 religious

6. How is the modern celebration of Carnival in Venice different from the original celebration?

• 𝖠 It is less official.

• 𝖡 It puts more emphasis on masks.

• 𝖢 It is more violent.

• 𝖣 It puts more emphasis on tourism.

Describe two ways that masks were used in the celebration of Carnival.

Choose two answers.

• Masks let people hide their identities and act differently.

• They were used as artistic elements in masked balls and

  theater productions.

• Carnival and Saturnalia were both wild celebrations; both involved

  feasting and challenging the social order; both were religious festivals.

• Saturnalia was a Roman holiday, and slaves were made into “kings” for

  the festival. Carnival took place in Venice, and people could take on

How were Carnival and Saturnalia similar, and how were they different? Using details from the passage, give at least two similarities and two differences.

Choose two answers.

• Carnival and Saturnalia were both wild celebrations; both involved

  feasting and challenging the social order; both were religious festivals.

• They were used as artistic elements in masked balls and

  theater productions.

• Masks let people hide their identities and act differently.

• Saturnalia was a Roman holiday, and slaves were made into “kings” for

  the festival. Carnival took place in Venice, and people could take on

  different roles because they wore masks.