English practice 28

The following paragraphs may or may not be in the most logical order. Each paragraph is numbered in brackets, and question 45 will ask you to choose where Paragraph 3 should most logically be placed.

The Palio of Siena

[1]

Siena is an old, picturesque city located in the hills of Tuscany. Even though³¹ its inhabitants live modern lives, many historical markers from as far back as medieval Italy still remain throughout the city. Another remnant from Siena's rich history that still plays a very prominent role today is the tradition of Il Palio.

[2]

Il Palio di Siena is a biannual horse race that is held twice a year,³³ once in July and once in August. A field of ten bareback horses races three laps around a dangerously steep track circling the city's central plaza, the Piazza del Campo, each with two dreaded right-angle turns.³⁴ Even though Il Palio lasted³⁵ only about 90 seconds, its importance in Siena goes far beyond the race itself.

[3]

Members are fiercely committed emotionally, socially, and financially to their own contrada. Because the members³⁶ voluntarily tax themselves to support their own contrada and to invest in a good horse and jockey for the biannual race. Jockey salaries for a single race often exceed 250,000 euros! This is, however,³⁷ a small price to pay to achieve victory at Il Palio. Seeing the colors and arms of their contrada in the winner's circle is the most glorious event-even more so than getting married for³⁸ many Sienese citizens. Old men weep openly out of sheer joy, and elated adults and children parade. Throughout³⁹ the city with their newly won silk banner, also called the palio.

[4]

The brief race is a spectacular culmination of an entire way of life in Siena. Every citizen belongs to one of seventeen city districts, collectively known as the Contrade.⁴⁰ Contrada is the term for a single district that has its own color and arms, such as the Aquila (the eagle) or Bruco (the caterpillar). A contrada is the source of so much local patriotism that every important event; from⁴¹ baptisms to food festivals, is celebrated only within one's own contrada and fellow members, who⁴² become more like family.

[5]

After the actual race day, the Palio festivities continue for a minimum of two weeks. Thousands of visitors from around the world travel to Siena during the summer; not⁴³ only to witness the exciting race but also to attend the after-parties were thrown⁴⁴ by the locals. While the Palio is not as important to outsiders who do not live in Siena as it is to the Sienese, the race and the festivities that follow are a spectacular experience.