ANNOUNCER: Section 2. You will hear a man talking on the radio about a national arts centre. First, you have some time to look at questions 11 to 16. Now listen carefully and answer questions 11 to 16.

DAVE GREEN: Hello and welcome to Focus on the Arts. I'm your host Dave Green, and this is your local radio programme.

DAVE GREEN: Every Friday evening, we highlight different arts and culture facilities and discuss the shows and events available in the coming week.

DAVE GREEN: Today we are focusing on the National Arts Centre.

DAVE GREEN: The centre is famous worldwide as one of the major venues for classical music.

DAVE GREEN: However, it is much more than just a place for concerts.

DAVE GREEN: The centre is a huge arts complex with many facilities under one roof.

DAVE GREEN: It contains concert halls, theatres, cinemas, art galleries, and a public library.

DAVE GREEN: There are also several service facilities, including three restaurants and a bookshop.

DAVE GREEN: Because of this, the range of entertainment options available at the centre is enormous.

DAVE GREEN: You may wonder how such a large arts centre was built in the city centre.

DAVE GREEN: The area had been completely destroyed by bombing during the war in 1940.

DAVE GREEN: Later, it was decided that the area should become a major cultural centre, described as the “City’s Gift to the Nation.”

DAVE GREEN: The project was planned in the 1960s, built in the 1970s, and finally opened in 1983.

DAVE GREEN: Since then, the centre has become a great success.

DAVE GREEN: Unlike many arts centres, it is not privately owned.

DAVE GREEN: It is run by the City Council.

DAVE GREEN: Both the National Symphony Orchestra and the National Theatre Company were involved in planning the centre.

DAVE GREEN: They are now based at the centre and perform there regularly.

DAVE GREEN: The centre is open 363 days a year, offering many performances and events.

ANNOUNCER: Before you hear the rest of the broadcast, you have some time to look at questions 17 to 20. Now listen and answer questions 17 to 20.

DAVE GREEN: Let me highlight some of the star attractions for next week.

DAVE GREEN: For lovers of classical music, we recommend Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute.

DAVE GREEN: It will be performed on Monday and Tuesday evenings at 7:30 pm.

DAVE GREEN: The performance will take place in the Garden Hall.

DAVE GREEN: Tickets start from just £8.

DAVE GREEN: For cinema fans, there is a new Canadian film called Three Lives.

DAVE GREEN: It will be shown on Wednesday evening at 8 pm in Cinema 2.

DAVE GREEN: Tickets cost £4.50, reduced from the usual £5.50.

DAVE GREEN: The centre’s main attraction next week is an art exhibition.

DAVE GREEN: It is called Faces of China.

DAVE GREEN: The exhibition features paintings and sculptures by leading Chinese artists.

DAVE GREEN: It will be displayed in Gallery 1.

DAVE GREEN: The exhibition runs on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.

DAVE GREEN: The best part is that entry is free.

DAVE GREEN: So why not visit the National Arts Centre next week and enjoy one or more of these events?

DAVE GREEN: You can also collect a programme to see the full schedule of performances and exhibitions.

DAVE GREEN: Next week on the programme we will explore the new Museum of Science.

ANNOUNCER: That is the end of Section 2. You now have half a minute to check your answers.