PRACTICAL GRAMMAR

Exercises based on authentic materials

Marcel Peregrym & Wiktoria Wowczeniuk

Complete the text with the correct forms of the verbs in brackets.

Leading dancers and directors 1.……………………. ( say ) they find the classic costume both
physically and artistically restrictive.

The ballerina’s tutu 2.……………………. ( remain ) a traditional object of desire for many young
girls: an enduring emblem of diaphanous femininity, as well as the twirling centrepiece of many
a childhood music box. But is its longstanding link with the world of professional dance now out
of date?

Several leading performers and choreographers think so, and while the twinkly costume of The
Nutcracker’s Sugar Plum Fairy may not quite 3.……………………. ( consing ) to the wardrobe
archives, its days may be 4.…………………….. ( number ).

Late last year, the Royal Ballet’s former principal ballerina,

Australian-born Leanne Benjamin, 5.……………………. ( speak )
candidly in public about 6.……………………. ( fall out ) of love with
the tutu. She would be happy never to wear one again, she 7.
……………………. ( confide ) to an audience at the Australian
embassy gathered to mark the British launch of her
autobiography, Built for Ballet. Traditional ballerina outfits had
always felt constrictive to her, Benjamin said.

Speaking to the Observer this weekend, the 57-year-old dancer

and teacher 8.……………………. ( admit ) that the conventional
shape 9.……………………. ( still have ) many fans among fellow
performers.

“The evolution of the tutu 10.……………………. ( design ) to show

off the leg,” she said, “In my book I 11.……………………. ( discuss )
that personally I 12.……… like ……………. ( not wear ) a tutu, but
most of my contemporaries love 13.……………………. ( wear )
them.”

Benjamin, who 14.……………………. ( be ) at Covent Garden with Darcey Bussell, is clear that her
views may not hold sway. “I am not a director of a company, so I 15.……………………. ( speak ) as
an onlooker now,” she said. “And I am not sure if gender distinctions come into the discussion.
But tutus are a style of costume and the conversations now 16.……………………. ( take ) place may
well affect decisions about what occurs. I think we all expect and enjoy evolution and so will
welcome what comes next.”

Back in Benjamin’s native land the national ballet company 17.……………………. ( announce ) a
new season of work that 18.……………………. ( steer away ) from pretty costumes and orthodox
stagings. Artistic director David Hallberg, who 19.……………………. ( lead ) the Australian Ballet
since last year, 20.……………………. ( not program ) any of the classic “tutu ballets”, such as Swan
Lake, Giselle or The Sleeping Beauty, and is keen to take a break from bouncing layers of tulle.