DEPARTMENT FOR CURRICULUM,

LEVEL
LIFELONG LEARNING AND EMPLOYABILITY
Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes 5-6-7
Educational Assessment Unit
Annual Examinations for Middle Schools 2019

YEAR 8 ENGLISH
COMPREHENSION TEXT

Text 1
Living Statues – the Art of not falling over
1 The first living statue goes back to the
ancient Greeks where members of the
public would pose for famous sculptors.
However, in reality, the living statue first
5 appeared in the 19th century as a circus
performance.

In the early 20th century, living statues

became more famous thanks to ‘tableaux
vivants’. These consisted of a group of
10 actors who would pose and be lit in a
particular way so as to appear like
paintings.

Since that time, living statues have

appeared in films. “The Phantom of the
15 Opera” and “Hot Fuzz” are two films that
have shown living statues on screen.
Moving from the inside to the outside,
street performances have increased in the
following years too. Various living statues
20 appeared in places all over Europe such as
Covent Garden in London, La Rambla in Barcelona and lately also in
Republic Street in Valletta.

As it turns out, being a living statue is not that easy. A living statue will do
“solitude” sessions of 30 minutes to an hour followed by a quick five-
25 minute break and then repeat. This can go on for several hours. It is tiring
on the body and a wibble or a wobble can ruin their performance. Some
living statues can go for an hour without blinking and they also make sure
that people do not see them breathe.

The living statue world is a highly competitive one. As they make money
30 mainly from tourists, multiple statues will end up gathering in the same
area. If no money is thrown in front of the living statue, the performer
doesn’t get paid that day. However, those who do their job well can earn
up to €250 a day. For the living statue élite, it is possible to abandon the
streets and be hired for important events.

English – Comprehension Text – Year 8 – L5 to L7 – 2019 Page 1 of 2

 If you are a living statue or fascinated by the idea of becoming one, there
35 is only one place for you – Arnhem, Netherlands. Every year, towards the
end of summer, it holds the World Living Statue Festival complete with the
World Championship of Living Statues. Hundreds of statues and thousands
more visitors meet there each year. Afterwards, all the living statues take
part in a massive parade through the city. No wonder that it is the perfect
place to get noticed!

(Adapted from http://allthatsinteresting.com/living-statues)

Text 2

 Hire a living human statue for

the price of €350
 Have the luxury of a person
performing for three 30-minute
sessions
 Choose from Gold, Silver or
Bronze statues
 Perfect for providing entertainment and adding an artistic touch to your
event

For more information send us an email on:

livestatues@vmail.com

(Adapted from
https://www.alivenetwork.com/bandpage.asp?bandname=Living%20Human%20Statues)

Page 2 of 2 English – Comprehension Text – Year 8 – L5 to L7 – 2019