Reading Comprehension

Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions below.

When you watch the shiny, flexible bodies bound together in difficult poses, it’s hard not to be intrigued by the magnificent Taipei Dance Circle performers.

Liou Shaw-Lu and Yang Wan-Rung started this modern dance group in 1984. As one of the founders of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Liou had become skilled in various dance styles. After dancing his way across stages worldwide, he came back to Taiwan to start his own group. In the beginning, Liou drew inspiration from his Hakka background. He incorporated traditional Chinese dance and music into the company’s pieces. As time passed, the Taipei Dance Circle broke away from the stiffness of traditional dance by having its dancers expand the movements of their bodies.

However, the Chinese influence is still present. Liou’s dances centre around the idea of “chi,” the Chinese word that means breath, life force, or inner spirit. As chi is the energy that flows through our bodies, Liou believes that the dancers must harness this force to free their minds and move their bodies.

One of the most exciting and provocative aspects of this group is their use of baby oil. Utilizing baby oil, the company aims to “dance without friction.” Before each show, dancers are doused in oil, making the movement of their bodies totally fluid. On stage, the dancers appear practically naked as they glide towards each other, dramatically intertwining. The Taipei Dance Circle is genuinely a remarkable blend of Eastern tradition and modern innovation. But the question remains: how come they don’t fall flat on their faces while dancing on oil?