Notes:
clown  ピエロ;
acrobat  曲芸師;
globe  球;
flying trapeze  空中ブランコ
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Have you ever been to a circus? I went to one on Sunday for the first time since I was a child, and I really enjoyed it. Of course there were clowns, jugglers and acrobats. There were so many acts that I can’t remember all of them. It was incredible to watch three men riding motorcycles inside a big metal globe. I was impressed by the lion tamer who went inside a big cage alone with eight lions and made them jump over each other. The last act was the most exciting: the flying trapeze. The show was great from beginning to end.   (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)
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Notes:

root 　地下茎;
pickle 　漬ける;
crunchy 　シャキシャキした
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It is a plant, but it can live more than 1,000 years. It has large white or pink flowers and very big leaves. It grows in water, and the flowers blossom in June (in Japan). People eat the root in East Asia, but many people in the West have never seen this kind of food. Some people cook the root, and others pickle it in vinegar. I like it both ways, but I prefer it pickled because it is crunchy. Did you guess the answer? It ‘s a lotus.   (by Prof. Douglas Jarrell)

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