These social prejudices come from several misconceptions and from certain historical facts. Ballet is the Western dance form that has developed over a period of four centuries. It has always depended upon government or royal support for its life. In more modern times, this support came from wealthy people who attended the ballet in beautiful theaters in some of the world's great cities. People have, therefore, come to see ballet as a cultural form. Over time, ballet has developed its own language, one that many ordinary people do not understand. Being a ballet dancer involves seven years of very difficult training from an early age, yet anyone can dance at a social gathering, given a certain amount of effort and desire. The physical image of both male and female dancers is very stylized, and costuming is unnatural in many cases, with tight clothes, special slippers, and short skirts. For these reasons, it is not possible for the general public to have the kind of identification with a ballet dancer that they often feel for an actor, film star, or athlete. It is also strange that a visual art that speaks directly to the eye, in the same way a soccer game or an Olympic gymnastics contest does, still makes people nervous. Too often people stay away from ballet because they think they will not "understand" it. However, they never seem to find this problem when they watch popular ice dance championships on television. People enjoy watching sports because they enjoy the physical daring. They appreciate athletes' superbly conditioned bodies working at maximum efficiency. If people only looked at dancing - any form of dancing - in the same way they appreciate sports, there would be fewer prejudices to overcome. What is the author's main point in this passage?

It is very odd that no one is afraid of the word "dance" and no one would object to the phrase "let's go dancing", but on hearing "ballet (芭蕾)", people start complaining. These social prejudices come from several misconceptions and from certain historical facts. Ballet is the Western dance form that has developed over a period of four centuries. It has always depended upon government or royal support for its life. In more modern times, this support came from wealthy people who attended the ballet in beautiful theaters in some of the world's great cities. People have, therefore, come to see ballet as a cultural form.

Over time, ballet has developed its own language, one that many ordinary people do not understand. Being a ballet dancer involves seven years of very difficult training from an early age, yet anyone can dance at a social gathering, given a certain amount of effort and desire. The physical image of both male and female dancers is very stylized, and costuming is unnatural in many cases, with tight clothes, special slippers, and short skirts. For these reasons, it is not possible for the general public to have the kind of identification with a ballet dancer that they often feel for an actor, film star, or athlete.

It is also strange that a visual art that speaks directly to the eye, in the same way a soccer game or an Olympic gymnastics contest does, still makes people nervous. Too often people stay away from ballet because they think they will not "understand" it. However, they never seem to find this problem when they watch popular ice dance championships on television. People enjoy watching sports because they enjoy the physical daring. They appreciate athletes' superbly conditioned bodies working at maximum efficiency. If people only looked at dancing - any form of dancing - in the same way they appreciate sports, there would be fewer prejudices to overcome.

What is the author's main point in this passage?

• A. The author believes that ice dance championships are more popular.
• B. The author encourages more people to participate in ballet dancing.
• C. The author encourages viewing ballet as a sport to appreciate its physical challenges.
• D. The author argues that ballet is less enjoyable than other sporting events.