Read the selection below and answer the questions that follow it.
Chapter 4 – International Business Section A: Reading
Always wanted to run away to the circus? In 1984, a group of young street performers in Quebec known as Le Club des Talons Hauts
(which translates as “The High-Heels Club”) started Cirque du Soleil (“Circus of the Sun”) so they could entertain and see the world. A small dream that turned into an international success: the initial troupe of 74 entertainers has since become an
entertainment corporation employing more than 3000 individuals worldwide. Several members of the initial 1984 group are still active in Cirque’s productions; the most notable is billionaire Guy Laliberté: a former fire-breather and stilt-walker, now Cirque’s founding president and CEO.
Originally, the troupe toured only one show at a time, performing to an average audience size of 270 000 people per year from 1984 to 1989. Much has changed since then. In 2003, Cirque productions ran on three continents, with close to 7 million people attending a show. In fact, in the 22 years that the company has been operating, more than 37 million people have attended a Cirque production in at least one of the almost 100 cities in which Cirque has performed.
The first installment of money that enabled Cirque du Soleil to begin touring in 1984 came from the provincial government of Quebec.The grant was given when Laliberté approached the city of Quebec with a proposal for a show (called Cirque du Soleil) to be performed in honour of Canada’s 450th anniversary. However, since
1992, Cirque has not received grants from either the government or the private sector. Clearly, lack of funding has not slowed the company down, since annual revenues for 2005 were estimated to be between US$550 million and US$600 million.
Cirque du Soleil’s World Headquarters are located in Montreal, but the company’s presence is international, with six shows touring cities across North and South America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. In December 1998, the company opened its first Cirque du Soleil store with a permanent theatre located at the Walt Disney World Resort, close to Orlando, Florida. Cirque du Soleil has a second resident show site in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is negotiating to set up another site in New York City’s theatre district.
Cirque du Soleil
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Chapter 4 – International Business
Section A: Reading
The World of Business, pages 111–112
From the beginning, Cirque’s productions were far from conventional.The shows have always featured unusual costumes, clever performances, and original music without the use of spoken dialogue, so as to appeal to a diverse audience. Cirque du Soleil does not include the costly and controversial animal acts that have been a tradition in most circuses. Additionally, Cirque shifted the focus of its shows away from children to adult audiences, which allowed for higher ticket prices.
Innovation and diversity are the hallmarks of a Cirque production. Consider, for
example, Ka—their recent US$165 million martial-arts-themed production being performed at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.The troupe for Ka consists of more than 700 artists, from 40 different
countries, speaking 25 languages. Cirque has even had to hire translators for this production.
Although Cirque has so far focused its attention primarily on North American and European audiences, Cirque and Disney are collaborating on a permanent show to be launched in Tokyo, Japan, in 2008.
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What is the purpose of the quotation marks as used in the first paragraph?
A to emphasize the title
B to emphasize the translation of a title C to draw attention
D to identify the source
What is the purpose of using italics in the first paragraph of this selection?
F to show importance G to emphasize the language H to identify titles
J to draw readers’ attention
Cirque du Soleil’s headquarters is in A Las Vegas
B Montreal C Toronto
D New York City
Cirque du Soleil began as a F circus without animals G dance group
H musical production J theatre corporation
Cirque du Soleil began touring with the help of
A Walt Disney productions B a studio in Tokyo
C a grant from the government of Quebec D money from ticket sales
What has contributed to Cirque du Soleil’s international appeal?
F its Canadian beginnings G its marketing of the show H its innovation and diversity J its talented singers
What does the word “hallmark” mean as used in paragraph 6 of this selection? A part of
B trademark C collaboration D atmosphere 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Chapter 4 – International Business Section A: Reading
Chapter 4 – International Business
Section A: Reading
Written Answers
Summarize this selection. Include the main idea and one point that clearly supports it.
How can a Canadian production appeal to an international audience?
Rough Notes
Use the space below for rough notes. Nothing you write in this space will be scored.
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Chapter 4 – International Business Section B: Writing
Short Writing Task (Answer in full and correctly written sentences.)
What reasons could explain Canada’s actions in selling chrysotile, knowing full well its potential health hazards?
Rough Notes
Use the space below for rough notes. Nothing you write in this space will be scored.
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Chapter 4 – International Business
Section C: Reading
The World of Business, Figure 4.2 page 129
Canadian Imports and Exports for 2005
automotive products
Canadian Imports (2005)
Canadian Exports (2005)
machinery/industrial
forestry products
energy products
other
6% 9%
1% 49%
7% 6%
40%
8% 19%
agricultural/fishing products
20%
20%
Comparing the two pie graphs, in which industry does Canada do the most trading? A automotive products
B machinery/industrial C forestry products D energy products
Comparing the two pie graphs, which industry is the same in both imports and exports?
F automotive products G forestry products H energy products
J agricultural/fishing products
According to the import pie graph, which industry is least traded?
A automotive products B forestry products C energy products
D agricultural/fishing products
According to the export pie graph, which industry is least traded?
F automotive products G machinery/industrial H forestry products J other
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Chapter 4 – International Business Section C: Reading
Multiple-Choice (Record the best or most correct answer on this sheet.)
Chapter 4 – International Business
Section D: Writing
Writing a Series of Paragraphs
Task: Write a minimumof three paragraphsexpressing an opinion
on the topic below. Develop your main idea with supporting details (proof, facts, examples, etc.).
Purpose and Audience: an adult who is interested in your opinion
Length: The lined space provided for your written work indicates the approximate length of the writing expected.
Topic: How has Google influenced our approach to the Internet?
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Write your series of paragraphs on the lines provided on the following two pages.
Rough Notes
Chapter 4 – International Business Section D: Writing
Chapter 4 – International Business
