六、传统文化任务型阅读。
阅读短文，回答下列问题。
Face changing, or Bianlian in Chinese, is an important part of Sichuan opera. It started about 300 years ago. And it is one of the greatest treasures in traditional Chinese culture. The changing faces show different feelings of actors in a special way.
People think face changing has something to do with fighting against dangerous animals. In old times, when people met with dangerous animals, they painted colourful pictures on their faces to scare the animals away. Later, people used this in the shows of Sichuan opera. And as time went by, it turned into a great form of art.
Face changing is one of the most mysterious(神秘的) arts, and only the masters really know how it works. Many people are interested in the secret of face changing. Generally, there are three face changing skills.
Mopping(抹脸). The performer mops out the colourful greasepaint(油彩) which is hidden in a certain part of his face to change his facial appearance when necessary.
Blowing(吹脸). The performer blows powder(粉) hidden in his hands or a small box on the stage so that it blows back onto his face following his move.
Pulling(扯脸). The performer can pull down a mask which has been hidden on the top of his head, changing his face into colours like red, green, blue or black to show happiness, hate, anger or sadness. This skill is so difficult that the performer must move quickly and smoothly to achieve the amazing effect.
Face changing is an ever-changing art, and it keeps developing with modern science. By the early 1900s, artists could change up to 3 masks each performance. By the 1990s, artists could change up to 4 masks. And by 2000, the number rose to 8. Nowadays, using silk masks and modern science, artists can change 18 to 20 different masks.
1. When did Bianlian start?

2. Why did people paint their faces in old times?

3. How can the artists change so many masks nowadays?

4. How many face changing skills are there in the article?

5. Do you want to learn the art Bianlian? Why?