Oral storytelling has been around as long as human language. Our ancestors probably gathered around the evening fires and talked about their fears and their beliefs through oral stories. This long tradition of storytelling is evident in ancient cultures such as the Australian Aborigines. Early storytelling probably originates in the simple chant. People sang chants as they worked at grinding corn or sharpening tools. Then they started to combine stories, poetry, music, and dance. The stories explained how life began and why things happened, as well as provided entertainment. Those who were excellent at storytelling became entertainers, educators, cultural advisors, and historians for the community. Through storytellers, the history of culture was handed down from generation to generation. In the 20th century, interest in oral storytelling has revived. A number of storytelling festivals were established. Storytelling festivals bring tellers together for entertaining, telling, and education in the art. * oral = spoken 1. The word "gathered" in the passage can be best replaced by __________. A. talked B. met C. built 2. The phrase "originates in" in the passage can be best replaced by _________. A. creates by B. comes from C. begins with 3. The word "excellent" in the passage is closest in meaning to __________. A. outstanding B. brilliant C. smart 4. The phrase "handed down" in the passage can be best replaced by _________. A. carried out B. went on C. passed on 5. The word "revived" in the passage can be best replaced by _________. A. come back B. survived C. disappeared