New York Times---( DINITIA SMITH )Tomorrow is the 433d anniversary of Shakespeare's birth. A recent survey shows that more people are watching him, reading him and studying him than ever before.
Consider the recent yearly conference of the Shakespeare Association of America in Washington, where more than 600 people who study or admire Shakespeare from 18 countries took in topics like ''Whither Attribution Studies,'' ''Unpopular Shakespeare'' and ''Sex Me Here,'' a talk on breast-feeding and Lady Macbeth.
''The national media is saying that fewer students' taking Shakespeare,'' Barbara Mowat, the editor of The Shakespeare Quarterly, observed in a speech at the conference. ''But Shakespeare is thriving.'' The association's membership has increased by a third since 1990.
The Shakespeare business is so good these days that W. W. Norton is introducing a huge new collections of the plays into the already crowded field just in time for tomorrow's birthday anniversary. Priced at $44.95, ''The Norton Shakespeare: Based on the Oxford Edition'' runs for 3,420 pages, offering introductions, illustrations and notes and three versions(版本) of ''King Lear.''
Today, movies and videos have made the plays even more accessible. Last year, ''William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet'' was No. 1 at the box office when it opened, and it grossed nearly $50 million. In New York in January, crowds lined up in the freezing cold to see Kenneth Branagh's four-hour ''Hamlet.'' The students select a scene and then have a violent discussion about it.'' Influenced by films, professors are increasingly teaching students by having them perform the plays.
49.Why people from 18 countries came to Washington this year?
A. To celebrate Shakespeare’s 433d birth day only.
B. To watch some plays by Shakespeare as planned.
C. To celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday and study his works.
D. To discuss how to teach students using Shakespeare’s plays.
50. What does the underlined word “ field” in the fourth paragraph refer to?
A. Washington D.C. B. Shakespeare Association.
C. The birthday anniversary. D. The Shakespeare business.
51.Which of the many plays by Shakespeare was most popular the year before?
A. King Lear. B. Hamlet. C. Macbeth. D. Romeo and Juliet.
52.What does the author want to prove by using so many examples about Shakespeare?
A. More and more people are becoming interested in Shakespeare.
B. Shakespeare business is being run well in America nowadays.
C. Plays by Shakespeare can be used at school for more studies.
D. Shakespeare belongs not only to Britain but also to the USA.
WASHINGTON—Laura Straub is a very worried woman. Her job is to find families for French teenagers who expect to live with American families in the summer.
It is not easy, even hopeless.
“We have many children left to place—40 out of 75,” said Straub, who works for a Paris-based foreigner-exchange program started 50 years ago. Family life was more than accommodating (提供膳宿). For one thing, more mothers stayed at home. But now, increasing numbers of women work outside the home. Exchange-student programs have struggled in recent years to sign up host (主人) families for the 30 000 teenagers who every year come from abroad to spend a school year in the United States, as well as the thousands more who take part in summer programs.
School systems in many parts of the U.S., unhappy about accepting non-taxpaying students, have also strictly limited the number of exchange students they accepted. At the same time, the idea of hosting foreign students is becoming less exotic.
In search for host families, who usually receive no pay, exchange programs are increasingly broadening their requests to include everyone from young couples to retirees.
“We are open to many different types of families,” said Vickie Weiner, eastern area director for ASSE, a 25-year-old program that sends about 30 000 teenagers on school-year exchange programs worldwide.
For elderly people, exchange students “keep us young—they really do”, said Jen Foster, who is hosting 16-year-old Nina Post from Denmark. The underlined word “exotic” means _________.
| A．difficult | B．wonderful | C．exciting | D．accommodating |
According to the text, why was it easier for Laura Straub to find American families for foreign students?
| A．More mothers wasn’t working outside and was able to afford to look after children . |
| B．American school systems were better than now. |
| C．Foreign students paid hosting families a lot of money. |
| D．The government was happy because it could gain tax. |
Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
| A．All the families can host foreign students. |
| B．Only young couples can host foreign students. |
| C．Only those who were retired can host foreign students. |
| D．Exchange programs are open to many different types of families including everyone from young couples to retirees. |
Which of the following is the best title of this passage?
| A．U.S. Struggle to Find host Families |
| B．Idea of Hosting Students is Different |
| C．Foreign-exchange Program Is Going on |
| D．Exchange Students Keep Old People Young |
If you are planning to study in the United States, you need to consider several factors. Everyone has different opinions about where the best places to live in also; the best places to live are not always home to the best schools. Finally, many schools specialize in different areas of study. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for example, is a great school for computer science and technology-based fields of study, However, if you want to study oceanography, your interests may be better served by attending school in a place that is on a coastline or near the ocean.
Now I am sure that you know which schools are considered the best in the country. So I will tell you about which states I believe are the best to live in.
California is a nice state. Northern California specifically has very good weather. Los Angeles in southern California is another story though. Life in LA is full of excitement and fast, and sometimes—dangerous. As for me, I enjoyed the history and culture. The weather is not as perfect as California, but it is still quite nice. My favorite area of America is the Mid-west. Middle America, I think, is home to the true American sense of values. In addition, there are many good universities there.
Also, you need to think about your likes and dislikes and then research the various states. You like sunshine and hate snow? Then you probably won’t like the Midwest or even the Northeast. Open space, nature and peace and quiet? Then you should stay away from America’s larger cities. Are you interested in government? Then Washington D.C. is the only place for you. Whatever you decided put some thought into it. The place you live could be the difference between a great study abroad experience and a state of great suffering on earth. From the first paragraph we can conclude that in the U.S.A. __________.
all colleges and universities lie in big cities
all colleges and universities lie in beautiful places
famous colleges and universities lie in nice places
famous colleges and universities may not lie in nice places What should be considered first if you want to study in the U.S.A.?
A. The climate. B. The scenery. C. The study condition. D. The living condition. If you study in Middle America, you can probably _______.
find the best universities
feel the real character of the nation
meet the most famous professors there
face more difficulty From the last paragraph of this passage we can get to know that ________.
Washington is the largest city in the U.S.A.
Washington is the political center of the U.S.A.
you can’t find sunshine in the Midwest
you can’t find any universities out of big cities in the U.S.A.
The decision to further all or part of your studies outside your country is a serious one, and one which for most students will have a special life-long benefit. If you realize English will help you in your career and enrich your personal life, you will find that coming to England to study English is a very special experience that you will never forget. I am very pleased to have this opportunity to invite you to join our English Language courses.
London is one of the world’s outstanding cultural and trade center. You will live in one of the world’s great cities. It provides the perfect arrangements in which to learn and develop English language skills. The international body of the students attending courses at English language Institutes in London provides an attraction because it is a good chance for you to enjoy other cultures in surroundings to develop personal character. As we prepare for the 21st Century, international communication has never been more important. To master a foreign language is becoming a useful tool for trade, industrial and professional success. Our aim at the English language Institutes is to develop students’ English language skills in friendly and helpful conditions.
Supported by computer, video and audio equipment, and using sound classroom, our team of teachers will guide you through your chosen course of study, you will receive excellent service and advice at every stage. Our out-of-class support staff will help you settle in and make the most of your stay in London. Truly, you will enjoy yourself in London and make friendships that will last a lifetime. I hope we can welcome you to this exciting world of London. Come and see us ! Visit a class in any of the English Language Institutes. See for yourself why we encourage you to study in London. The phrase “life-long benefit” in the first paragraph means ________.
| A．advantages in study | B．good in daily life |
| C．good in all life | D．use in work |
The writer invites you to join their English Language course, because __________.
London is really a good place for learning English
you can enjoy a special foreign culture
London is a great international trade center
Computers can teach you to learn English well the main purpose of the text is ________.
to introduce something about London
to let know the importance of learning English
to tell us the skills of learning English
to tell us that education in London is free This passage is a (n) ________.
| A．story | B．novel | C．letter | D．advertisement |
Twenty-three senior high school graduates of 1999 from Wuhan, Hubei Province, have recently left for Germany on a work-study program according to Xi’an Evening Newspaper.
They will study hotel management in Bavarian Hotel Management School for a year and then take up two-year practice in Germany. Upon graduation, they will also get diplomas (文凭) recognized internationally. During their two-year practice, they earn no less than 1 200 Deutsche Marks (德国马克) a month.
The program, organized by a company in Wuhan, aims at providing the city’s high school graduates with new job chances.
Applicants (申请者) must first pass an exam given by the German side and pay 180 000 yuan covering the three year’s study and living expenses in Germany. In spite of this, the program still attracted a lot of high school graduates and their parents. And applicants came in a continuous stream.
“The change for my child to go to college is small. What’s more, it’s not easy to find a job. We find the work-study program an equally good way out for him,” a parent said, “We don’t worry much about the high costs because the total income from the two-year-long practice will be quite enough to clear them.” This text is mainly about _________.
| A．a hotel management school in Bavarian, Germany |
| B．students from Wuhan studying in Germany |
| C．students going abroad on work-study program |
| D．new job chances offered in Germany |
Which of the following words best describes the parents of these 23 students?
| A．Wasteful. | B．Wise. | C．Sorry. | D．Worried. |
We can infer that these applicants found it hard ___________.
| A．to go to college at home |
| B．to pay for the cost |
| C．to pass the test given by the Germans |
| D．to get a job when they return home |
In early summer, one of the most popular fruit is strawberry(草莓). It is said strawberry is the "Queen of fruit" as it has many nutritious elements. But many people feel that the strawberry in the current market tastes different as many strawberries are artificially(人工地)grown and some even have a scent of pesticides(杀虫剂).So finding naturally-grown strawberries is a hot issue. There are some places where you can not only find tasteful strawberries, but also enjoy picking them.
Tianxing Strawberry- Picking Garden
As one of the biggest strawberry-growing areas, Tianxing is known for its healthy fruits. The strawberries here are pesticide-free with no artificial coloring. And now the farm has a special offer that you can get a kilogram of strawberries for only 12 yuan. Here, visitors can have fun picking strawberries as well as taste their freshness . And if you are a newcomer, you can get a discount card and enjoy an extra 20 percent discount on your next purchase.
Address: Xinzhuang Village, Xingshou Town, Changping District , Beijing.
Tel:13910667270
Taolin Strawberry Garden
This garden is not as famous as the first one, but it is a quiet place and relaxing. The strawberries here are much cheaper than those sold in markets. It only costs 6 yuan per kilogram.You can also buy freshly-picked lettuce and Tonghao, a green vegetable. You can have fun picking strawberries in person, but you can’t taste them for free.
Address: Linzhuang Village, Xingshou Town, Changping District , Beijing.
Tel: 010--88413840
| New Special Limited-Time Offers: Buy 20kg, Get 1kg Free |
Baihe Green Strawberry Garden
Baihe Town is the biggest strawberry-picking area. Known for the freshest and healthiest strawberries, this place is named as the "Hometown of Strawberries". The price for this fruit is about 12 yuan per kilogram. And you can bargain(讲价) with the local sellers for further discounts.
Address: Zhaotun Village ,Baihe Town, QingpuDistrict, Shanghai.
Tel: 13803456780People prefer naturally-grown strawberries mainly because ________
| A．they contain many nutritious elements. |
| B．they have a different scent |
| C．they are pesticide-free and tasteful |
| D．they are cheaper and bigger |
You should pay Tianxing Strawberry- Picking Garden________yuan if you buy 10 kilograms with a discount card.
| A．120 | B．108 | C．96 | D．60 |
Which of the following is WRONG about Taolin Strawberry Garden ?
| A．It is not better known than Tianxing Strawberry- Picking Garden |
| B．Besides strawberries, you can buy green vegetables from it |
| C．You can have fun picking strawberries as well as taste them as you like |
| D．If you buy 20 kilogram strawberries, you should at most pay 114yuan. |
Baihe Town is praised as the "Hometown of Strawberries" chiefly because _______.
| A．it is the biggest strawberry-picking area in the world |
| B．the place produces strawberries of high quality |
| C．the place is the home to strawberries |
| D．you will enjoy special prices because people there are friendly. |
What is the purpose of writing the passage?
| A．To adevertise Strawberry Gardens |
| B．To show the magic of strawberries |
| C．To tell the difference between artificially-grown strawberries and naturally-grown strawberries |
| D．to tell us the joys of picking and buying strawberries |