When a group of children politely stop a conversation with you, saying,“We have to go to work now.” you're left feeling surprised and certainly uneasy. After all, this is the 1990s and the idea of children working is just unthinkable. That is , until you are told that they are all pupils of stage schools, and that the “work” they go off to is to go on the stage in a theatre.
Stage schools often act as agencies (代理机构) to supply children for stage and television work. More worthy of the name “stage school” are those few places where children attend full time, with a training for the theatre and a general education.
A visit to such schools will leave you in no doubt that the children enjoy themselves. After all, what lively children wouldn't settle for spending only hal
f the day doing ordinary school work, and acting, singing or dancing their way through the other half of the day?
Then of course there are times for the children to make a name and make a little money in some big shows. Some stage schools give their children too much professional work at such a young age. But the law is very tight on the amount they can do. Those under 13 are limited to 40 days in the year; those over 13 do 80 days.
The schools themselves admit that not all children will be successful in the profession for which they are being trained. So what happens to those who don't make it? While all the leading schools say they place great importance on children getting good study results, the facts seem to suggest this is not always the case.
1.People would stop feeling uneasy when realising that the children they're talking to ________.
A. attend a stage school
B. are going to the theatre
C. have got some work to do
D. love singing and dancing
2.In the writer's opinion, a good stage school should ________ .
A. produce star performers
B. help pupils improve their study skills
C. train pupils in language and performing arts
D. provide a general education and stage training
3.“Professional work” as used in the text means ________ .
A. ordinary school work
B. moneymaking performances
C. stage training at school
D. acting, singing or dancing after class
4.Which of the following best describes how the writer feels about stage schools?
A. He thinks highly of what they have to offer.
B. He favours an early start in the training of performing arts.
C. He feels uncomfortable about children putting on night shows.
D. He doubts the standard of ordinary education they have reached.
It is under the CPC’s leadership that China has overcome many challenges in its economic, political and social systems and achieved remarkable progress the world has ever seen. Under the CPC’s leadership, China has become the world’s largest second largest economy. People’s lives have greatly improved, and hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty, an objective fact no one can deny. At the same time, China is quickly becoming a major player on the world stage.
As a responsible nation, China has been playing a growing role and shouldered greater responsibilities in world affairs. Such achievements, especially for a nation with a size equaling to a continent and a population of nearly 1.4 billion, are not easy to make. What roles do you think CPC has played in China? Do you think it’s the CPC leadership that has made China’s economic miracle possible? Is there any room for improvements for the future role of CPC? What challenges will lie ahead for the future leadership of CPC? Please share your opinion with us.The purpose of writing the article is to ______.
A. describe the greatest changes in China.
B. describe the importance of China.
C. tell us some challenges facing the CPC.
D. gain more information about the roles the CPC plays in China. According to the passage, CPC refers to .
A.Communist(共产主义) Party of China |
B.Cost Per Click(每次点击付费广告) |
C.card-programming control (卡片程序控制) |
D.Computer Process Control(计算机过程控制) |
How does the author feel about the roles the CPC has played in China?
A.Dissatisfied | B.Amazed | C.Annoyed | D.Proud |
The underlined word " miracle " in Paragraph 2 probably means _____.
A.problem | B.disaster | C.wonder | D.event |
What’s the best title for this passage?
A.What roles do you think CPC plays in China? |
B.Why has CPC played an important role in China? |
C.China has become the world’s second largest economy. |
D.China has overcome many challenges and achieved remarkable progress. |
Have you ever had a day when everything seemed to go wrong, and nothing seemed to go right? Not too long ago I was having one of those days. I was discouraged, weary, and plain sad. My focus was on me. After all, no one else was experiencing the same trials I was.
I expressed my upset state to my mother, hoping for some pity. Instead, she said, “I heard Jamie was having a difficult day too. Why don’t you make her some cookies and take them to her this afternoon?”
I didn’t really want to, but decided that I didn’t want to go back to my other problems just yet. I made the cookies and arranged them on a little plate. Then I made a card with a sunflower on it and wrote a small note of empathy.
That afternoon I dropped by my friend’s house. I went to the door and rang the bell. Soon, Jamie came to the door and looked at me in surprise for the unexpected visit. Before she could say anything I rushed, “ I heard you were having a hard day and decided to bring you something. I hope your day goes better.” The look that came over Jamie’s face was one that I could never put into words. It was as if a darkened sky was suddenly lit with the golden rays of the sun; it was as if in that small act, her day was brightened.
I got back into the car and for some amazing reason; I felt a lot better myself. That day I experienced the truth that James Barri attempted to describe, “ Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.”Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
A.Sunshine on a Rainy Day | B.Discouraged by Nothing |
C.Giving Help to a Friend | D.Experience a Cheerless Day |
The author made cookies and arranged them on a plate _________.
A.so as to show off his skills | B.to stop thinking about his own worries |
C.not to let his mother feel down | D.not to show his sadness to others |
How did Jamie feel when seeing the author’s coming?
A.She lit up very soon. | B.She was surprised and scared. |
C.She couldn’t express herself. | D.She poured out all her worries. |
What do you think of the author’s mother?
A.Sympathetic. | B.Willing. | C.Instructional. | D.Selfish. |
The passage is mainly about _________.
A.dealing with others when they are angry | B.adjusting well the mental condition |
C.taking mother’s advice every hour | D.enjoying oneself at any time |
When you visit America, you will see the word Motel on signs and notice boards. It is made up of “motor” and “hotel” and it is really a hotel for people who arrive by car (how-ever, you don’t need a car to stay at one). You have to pay when you arrive for your room, which usually has a bath. Meals are not provided, but there will certainly be a cafeteria (自助餐馆). Americans eat a lot of salads and sandwiches. Along the main roads there are a lot of motels. Each tries to offer more than next. Some provide television in every bedroom; others have swimming pools; and so on. Motels are especially useful when you are in the country, far from a town or city. You will also find them in the big National Parks.
In these great National Parks, you may meet guests you don’t expect to see. An American friend told me a little story. In the middle of a moonless night she heard strange noises outside her motel window in the Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Thinking it might be a thief, she jumped out of bed, opened the door and crept towards a dark shadow(阴影). As she got close, she saw the thief. She was dreadfully frightened: it wasn’t a human thief — it was a big black bear. The bear was turning over some empty tins with its paw, looking for tasty bits of food. My friend decided to leave that particular thief alone!
There are also, of course, places called “rooming houses”, where they receive lodgers (房客). You will see such signs as Tourists or Rooms Rent, and you could try one of these. A word of warning — looking for a room in New York during the tourist season is like looking for gold on the moon! Which of the following is TRUE about motels?
A.You can only find motels in the big National Parks. |
B.They are free for people who arrive by car. |
C.If you want to stay at a motel, you must have a car. |
D.The word “motel” is formed by two words. |
Which of the following is NOT provided by motels?
A.Baths. | B.Swimming pools. | C.TV. | D.Meals. |
The underlined word “crept” in the second paragraph probably means “______”.
A.moved slowly | B.rushed out | C.threw away | D.ran fast |
The second paragraph mainly tells us ______.
A.an interesting story |
B.the experience of the author’s friend |
C.we may meet animals in the National Parks |
D.bears usually look for food at night |
From the last paragraph, we can learn that in New York during the tourist season ______.
A.tourists can find gold there |
B.tourists can have a sweet dream there |
C.it is difficult to find a room there |
D.there is warning for tourists to New York |
Joanne was stuck in a traffic jam in central Birmingham at 5:30 and at 6:30 she was expected to be chairing a meeting of the tennis club. At last, the traffic was moving. She swung quickly racing to her house. As she opened the door , she nearly tripped over (被绊倒)Sheba.
“Hey, Sheba,” she said, “I've got no time for you now, but I'll take you out as soon as I get back from tennis club.” Then she noticed Sheba seemed to be coughing or choking. Obviously, she could hardly breathe. Immediately, Joanne realized she would have to take her to the vet (兽医).
When she got there, the vet was just about to close for the day. Seeing the state of Sheba, Dr. Sterne brought her quickly into his office.
“Listen, doctor, I'm really in a rush to get to a meeting, can I leave her with you, and go and get changed? I'll be back in ten minutes to pick her up, and then I'll take her on to the meeting with me. Is that OK?”
“Sure.” said the doctor.
Joanne made the quick trip back to her house in a couple of minutes. As she was once moreentering the hallway, the phone by the door began to ring.
“This is Dr. Sterne,” said an anxious voice. “I want you to get out of that house immediately, ”said the doctor's voice. “I'm coming round right away, and the police will be there any time now. Wait outside!”
At that moment, a police car screeched (发出尖锐的声音)to a stop outside the house. Two policemen got out and ran into the house. Joanne was by now completely confused and very frightened. Then the doctor arrived.
“Where’s Sheba? Is she OK?” shouted Joanne.
“She’s fine, Joanne. I took out the thing which was choking her, and she’s OK now. ”
Just then, the two policemen reappeared from the house, half-carrying a white—faced man, who could hardly walk. There was blood all over him.
“My God, ” said Joanne,“how did he get in there? And how did you know he was there?”
“I think he must be a burglar.” said the doctor. “I knew he was there because when I finally removed what was stuck in Sheba’s throat:it turned out to be three human fingers.”What was Joanne supposed to do at 6:30?
A.To walk her dog. | B.To see her doctor. |
C.To attend a club meeting. | D.To play tennis with her friends. |
Joanne wanted to get back to her home again __________ . .
A.to dress up for the meeting | B.to phone the police station |
C.to catch the badly hurt burglar | D.to wait for her dog to be cured |
From the passage, we can infer that________ . .
A.Sheba fought against the burglar |
B.the police found the burglar had broken in |
C.Joanne had planned to take her dog to the meeting |
D.the doctor performed a difficult operation on the dog |
In this passage, the writer intends to tell us that the dog is _________.
A.clever | B.friendly | C.frightening | D.devoted |
The underlined word “a burglar” in the last paragraph probably means ________.
A.a cleaner | B.a physician | C.a thief | D.a murderer |
Many people who work in London prefer to live outside it, and to go in to their offices or schools every day by train, car or bus, even though this means they have to get up early in the morning and reach home late in the evening.
One advantage of living outside London is that houses are cheaper. Even a small flat in London without a garden costs quite a lot to rent. With the same money, one can get a little house in the country with a garden of one’s own.
Then, in the country one can rest from the noise and hurry of the town. Even though one has to get up earlier and spend more time in trains or buses, one can sleep better at night and during weekends and on summer evenings, one can enjoy the fresh, clean air of the country. If one likes gardens, one can spend one’s free time digging, planting, watering and doing the hundred and one other jobs which are needed in a garden. Then, when the flowers and vegetables come up, one has the reward of one who has shared the secret of Nature.
Some people, however, take no interest in country things: for them, happiness lies in the town, with its cinemas and theatres, beautiful shops and busy streets, dance-halls and restaurants. Such people would feel that their life was not worth living if they had to live it outside London. An occasional walk in one of the parks and a fortnight’s (two weeks) visit to the sea every summer is all the country they want: the rest they are quite prepared to leave to those who are glad to get away from London every night.Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A.People who like country things prefer to live outside the city. |
B.People who work in London prefer to live in the country. |
C.Because of certain disadvantages of living outside London, some people who work in London prefer to live inside London. |
D.Because of certain advantages of living outside London, many people who work in London prefer to live outside London. |
One can use the same money for ________ to buy a little house with a garden in the country.
A.getting a small flat with a garden | B.having a small flat with a garden |
C.renting a small flat without a garden | D.buying a small flat without a garden |
When the flowers and vegetables in the garden come up, those _______ have the reward of one who has shared the secret of Nature.
A.who live in the country |
B.who have spent time working in the garden |
C.who have a garden of their own |
D.who have been digging, planting and watering |
People who think happiness lies in the town would feel that _______ if they had to live it outside London.
A.their life was meaningless | B.their life was invaluable |
C.they didn’t deserve a happy life | D.they were not worthy of their happy life |
The underlined word “rest” in the last paragraph refers to ________.
A.the rest time | B.the rest people |
C.the rest of the country | D.the rest of the parks and of the sea |