Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

by Rebecca A. Fratzke

A celebration of ballooning and all things fun

In the glow of the morning's first rays, a crowd gathers. Fiery whooshes and flashes heat the air, and soon, giants of the sky are brought to life with their colorful masses begging to be set free. Although this may sound like something out of science fiction, it's _(1)_ 150 hot air balloons getting ready to mark the beginning of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. This event _(2)_ over 500,000 visitors to come each year. The Fiesta is Europe's largest hot air balloon event and one of the UK's top five outdoor events.

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta was first held in 1979 by local ballooning _(3)_. It started out small, but it has steadily grown in size and participation since then. The Fiesta brought international _(4)_ and visitors to Bristol and helped put the city on the map. Admission to the four-day event is free and _(5)_ a variety of activities for all ages. There are over 250 vendors, displays held indoors and out, and live entertainment. Visitors can book balloon rides in advance and even be a part of the mass lift-offs that _(6)_ every day at six o'clock in the morning and evening. One display that is _(7)_ popular with children is the Special Shapes Ascent, where specially shaped balloons take to the sky.

However, the events no one should _(8)_ are the two Nightglows held once on Thursday and then again on Saturday. These nighttime events _(9)_ hot air balloons getting lit in time with special selections of music. In the dark of night, the displays _(10)_ beautiful and fascinating experiences that come to an end with a fireworks display. Celebrating its 33rd year, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will be held from the 11th to the 14th of August this year.

(A) miss    (B) make for    (C) actually    (D) feature (E) attention

(F) attracts    (G) particularly    (H) includes    (I) enthusiasts (J) take place

英国第 33 届『布里斯托国际热气球节』

这项节庆除了有热气球，还有其他许多有趣的活动

　　早晨第一道阳光照射下来，就有群众聚集在一起。火焰燃烧的嘶嘶声和闪光让空气加温，没多久，五颜六色的空中庞然大物开始生龙活虎，恳求被释放出去。虽然这也许听起来像科幻小说里的故事情节，但实际上是 150 颗热气球准备揭开『布里斯托国际热气球节』的序幕。这项活动每年吸引超过 50 万名观光客。它不仅是全欧最大型的热气球节，也是英国前 5 大的户外活动之一。

　　第 1 届的『布里斯托国际热气球节』是由当地的热气球爱好者于 1979 年所举办。该活动一开始规模很小，但之后无论是举办规模或是参加人数都稳定地持续成长。该活动为布里斯托打开国际知名度，也将观光人潮带进该市，并让布里斯托声名大噪。为期 4 天的热气球节全部免费入场，而且包含适合扶老携幼的各式活动。共有超过 250 个摊位、室内及户外的展览，以及现场的娱乐表演。观光客可以事先预约乘坐热气球，或甚至参加每日早晨和晚上 6 点热气球一起升空的盛况。其中 Special Shapes Ascent 这项活动尤其受小朋友欢迎，也就是特殊造型热气球升空秀。

　　然而，该热气球节最不容错过的是周四和周六上演的夜间火焰秀。这些晚间活动的特色是随着精选的音乐，点燃一颗颗的热气球。深夜时，这些活动让人留下美好的迷人体验，并在烟火秀中划下句点。今年的第 33 届『布里斯托国际热气球节』将于 8 月 11日举办至 14 日。

答案：  1. (C)  2. (F)  3. (I)  4. (E)  5 . (H)
6. (J)  7. (G)  8. (A)  9. (D)  10. (B)