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Palio di Siena: Sunshine Returns for the Assunta Race

a fence in a field
Photo by Samuele Bertoli on Unsplash
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Listen to the story

The Palio di Siena is a famous horse race in Italy. It happens in a big square called Piazza del Campo.

This year, the race had some delays. But today the sun is shining. So the race can happen now.

The race is called the Carriera dell'Assunta. It starts at 7 p.m. today.

Different areas of the city, called contrade, have horses in the race. Each contrada wants to win.

People can watch the race live on TV. Many people also come to see it in person.

This year, there is more security. Police check people before they enter. There is also a special system to stop drones flying over the square.

Vocabulary6 words

Palio di Siena
a famous horse race in Siena, Italy
Piazza del Campo
a big square in Siena where the race happens
Carriera dell'Assunta
the name of the race held in August
contrade
small areas of the city, each with its own horse
security
keeping people safe
drones
small flying machines without a pilot

Quiz

1. Where does the Palio di Siena happen?
2. What is the weather like today?
3. What do the contrade have in the race?

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

The Palio di Siena is a famous _____ race in Italy.

It happens in a big square called Piazza del _____.

This year, the race had some _____.

But today the sun is _____.

The race is called the Carriera dell'_____.

It starts at 7 _____ today.

Different areas of the city, called _____, have horses in the race.

People can watch the race live on _____.

This year, there is more _____.

There is also a special system to stop _____ flying over the square.

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