Venice,  __  (1)  _____ small waterside city in northeast Italy, boils with happiness and excitement once every year. Between February 21th and March 4th, the carnival hits the streets. For most people the carnival means large  __  (2)  ___ (party) and feasts. But in Venice, it also means traditional masks and costumes.

These costumes were  ___  (3)  _____ (original) meant to hide personal identities. Then, different social classes could mix in a sea of happiness.

Today, people in Venice still dress up in the strangest ways  ___  (4)  ____ soldiers, butchers and fishermen, for example.

Bars and cafes are filled with party-goers ___  (5)  _____ come to show off their strange costumes. Their designs and creations  __  (6)  _____ (make) by special studios. Ready-made costumes are not acceptable.

“ In the month before the carnival we work overtime  __  (7)  ____(meet) the demand,” said a mask maker. “ Many kilometers of silk and lace are made into costumes. For shopkeepers, the carnival is the  __  (8)  ____ (good) time of the year.

The Venice carnival __  (9)  ____ (date) back to the Middle Ages. At that time, the city was _  (10)  _____ of the wealthiest in Europe. Now the Venice carnival attracts huge crowds from all over the world.

The city certainly benefits---a whole industry has been build up around the carnival’s masks and costumes.

“ The Venice Carnival is a magical time! It’s such a great experience.”