As a solo artist,Brightman has sold 26 million albums and two million DVDs in 34 countries. Her musical styles put opera, pop and jazz together. She is popular in the States but not here(Britain)—the image of her and her second husband, Andrew Lloyd Webber(he much older, she his muse) seems for ever frozen.
The 47-year-old singer talks about the new album Symphony that came out of a “very dark time”, including her decision to give up trying to have children. “People have suggested I could adopt,” Brightman says. “But work is central to my life now. And so I am going to put it to one side. After a while not having children becomes the normal and perhaps that might sound alarming, to parents especially, but I have never known anything different. I’m not hurt by not having children. My life and career are incredibly rich.”
Talking about growing up in a large family in Berkhamsted (father a property developer who later committed suicide), she says: “I was gifted as a child, and very musical. I seemed to be good at anything to do with the arts. At 5 I understood the music I was dancing to and had an eye for costume.” She first appeared in a West End musical at 11 and hated boarding school.
Brightman led the saucy dance troupe(辣妹三人舞)Hot Gossip and had her first hit with I Lost My Heart to a Starship Trooper in 1978. At 18 she married a music manager called Andrew Graham Stewart. “I was probably in love but I can’t remember. Girls change such a lot between 18 and 22. It didn’t really work out.” In 1981 she was spotted by Lloyd Webber. She became his leading lady in Song and Dance, Requiem and Phantom of the Opera. They married in 1984.
Brightman says she felt hostility(敌意) “from the beginning. I haven’t tried to understand it. I’ve done very well everywhere else, especially the UK, where I now live. I just accept it for what it is. The more you are away from Britain, the more you appreciate it. But I don’t miss it, although I miss my family. Our profession can be uncomfortable but I enjoy what I do. I get on with it.”The first paragraph tells us that ______.
| A.Brightman is very popular around the world except in America |
| B.Brightman’s musical style is a mixture of opera, pop and jazz |
| C.the British people don’t like her for her style of music |
| D.Brightman is much older than Andrew Lloyd Webber |
Brightman decided to give up having children because ______.
| A.she could adopt one |
| B.her life and career were unbelievably rich without children |
| C.she felt it normal not to have children |
| D.she was too busy |
The following statements are true except ______.
| A.Brightman first appeared in a West End musical at 5 |
| B.Brightman disliked life on campus |
| C.Brightman was very gifted when she was young |
| D.the saucy dance troupe made Brightman famous |
The underlined word in the fourth paragraph probably means ______.
| A.located | B.admired | C.followed | D.found |
What does the author try to say in the last paragraph by quoting Brightman’s words?
| A.Brightman has to accept the fact that she isn’t liked in Britain |
| B.Brightman lives in America but she loves her own country |
| C.The British coldness towards Brightman led to her hatred to her homeland |
| D.Brightman was at a loss why she was not welcome in Britain |
第三部分阅读理解(共15小题;每小题2分,满分30分)
Richard Charles Rodgers was born in New York City on J
une 28th, 1902. Both his parents enjoyed singing and playing the piano. His grandparents loved opera and took their grandson to many productions. Richard attended many Broadway (百老汇) shows as a child. Richard began playing the piano by the age of three. At the age of fifteen, he decided that he would work in the musical theater. In the same year, he wrote the music for a stage show presented by a local group of young people. Then, he wrote music for a production of the students at Columbia University.
Richard and his wife Dorothy had two daughters and six grandchildren. One daughter and two grandsons also write music. Richard died in 1979. Books written about his life describe him as a cold man who was often depressed (消沉的). Family members say he was only able to express himself through music.
Other future show business leaders were also involved in the Columbia productions. Two of these men would be very important in Richard’s life — Oscar Hammerstein and Lorenz Hart. Richard once said the show he liked the best was Carousel, the second musical (音乐剧) he wrote with Oscar Hammerstein. Music experts say that a Richard show is always playing somewhere in the world — on Broadway, in theaters in different countries, and in local school productions. And people all over the world still enjoy the movies linked to Richard, such as State Fair, South Pacific, Pal Joey, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma and Carousel.When did Richard Charles Rodgers decide that he would work in the musical theater?
| A.In 1967. | B.In 1917. | C.In 1907. | D.In 1905. |
Which musical is the one that he likes most?
| A.Oklahoma. | B.The Sound of Music. |
| C.State Fair. | D.Carousel. |
Which is the first musical he wrote with Oscar Hammerstein?
| A.Carousel. | B.South Pacific. | C.Not mentioned. | D.State Fair. |
What’s the best title for the passage?
| A.All the life of Richard Charles Rodgers | B.Richard Charles Rodgers’ Family |
| C.Richard Charles Rodgers’ Music | D.Richard Charles Rodgers’ Stage |
Though it is mere 1 to 3 percent of the population,the upper class possesses at least 25 percent of the nation’s wealth.This class has two segments:upper-upper and lower- upper.Basically,the upper-upper class is the“old rich”-families that have been wealthy for several generations-an aristocracy of birth and wealth.Their names are in the Social Register,a listing of acceptable members of high society.A few are known across the nation,such as the Rockefellers,Roosevelts,and Vanderbilts.Most are not visible to the general public.They live in grand seclusion(深居简出),drawing their income from the investment of their inherited wealth.In contrast,the lower-upper class is the“new rich”. Although they may be wealthier than some of the old rich,the new rich are anxious to make their money like everybody else lower than their class.Thus their prestige(威望) is generally lower than that of the old rich,who have not found it necessary to lift a finger to make their money,and who tend to look down upon the new rich.
However its wealth is acquired,the upper class is very,very rich.They have enough money and leisure time to cultivate an interest in the arts and to collect rare books, paintings,and sculptures.They generally live in exclusive areas,belong to exclusive social clubs,communicate with each other,and marry their own kind-all of which keeps them so distant from the common people that they have been called the out-of-fight class.More than any other class,they tend to be conscious of being members of a class.They also command an enormous amount of power and influence here and abroad,as they hold many top government positions,run the Council on Foreign Relations,and control multinational corporations.Their actions affect the life of millions.
According to the author,the“old rich”get riche_________.
| A.through the Social Register | B.through their reputation |
| C.by investing their inherited wealth | D.by collecting paintings and sculptures |
The reason why the“old rich”look down upon the‘new rich’is that .
| A.the former are wealthier than the latter |
| B.the latter sweat themselves to make money |
| C.the“new rich”have no interest in arts |
| D.the“old rich”are conscious of being members of the upper class |
The upper class is also called the out-of-sight class because_________.
| A.they keep away from the general public |
| B.they spend most of their time abroad. |
| C.they don’t communicate with any people |
| D.they move frequently from place to place |
We can learn from the passage that_________.
| A.the upper class is powerful and influential |
| B.the upper class collects rare books to make money |
| C.the upper class holds all top government positions |
| D.the“old rich”make much more money than the“new rich” |
There is that great idea that in an information and knowledge based economy, the most important thing for companies is attracting and holding outstanding talented guys. Obviously I will not say that is not important, but in my opinion a successful and groundbreaking company cannot be built just from the collection of high talented people, as a great sports team can't be constructed only by the collection of great players.
It is more important to build teams of people that achieve the goals according to the company's organizational vision. It is necessary to create organizations where everybody (with outstanding talent or not) can develop their best personal capabilities and that these capacities are addressed to achieve the corporate goals and mission. The company efforts must be addressed to design an organizational system that produces and uses talent from everyone in the company.
Trying to get the best from our people through corporate team building policies, establishing a concrete corporate culture and values, making our company a place where people want to work because it is a good place to stay and develop their capacities, is the best way to compete in the knowledge economy. That will keep us out of the obligation to constantly seek for the "best players" and entering in the retribution auctions(拍卖).
We have to take into account that, nowadays, the real talented and creative people, like to work or engage themselves in projects where they can develop their capacities, they can be involved in the organizational goals and vision, and where they are treated with respect and dignity. Definitively, they want to be happy doing their jobs. And we have to build organizations where they can find that.
The underlined word that in Paragraph 1 refers to ________.
| A.information and knowledge | B.the great idea |
| C.the collection of talented people | D.attracting and holding talented people |
In the author’s opinion, a good company should consist of ________.
| A.only outstanding people | B.both talented and common people |
| C.only common people | D.more talented people than common people |
The most important thing a successful company should do is ________.
| A.constantly seek for talented people |
| B.employ people with different abilities |
| C.make the company a place where employees are glad to devote themselves to work |
| D.make the company a place where employees can get the best pay and great respect |
According to Paragraph 3, the company can get the best from its employees in the following ways EXCEPT ________.
| A.making corporate team building rules |
| B.forming corporate culture and values |
| C.encouraging them to develop their abilities |
| D.competing in the knowledge economy |
How is the text organized?
(1)—Paragraph 1 (2)—Paragraph 2 (3)—Paragraph 3 (4)—Paragraph 4
| A.(1)→(2)→(3)→(4) | B.(1)(2)→(3)(4) ↗(2) (1)↘ |
| C.(1)→(3) | D. (2)→(4) |
↘(4) (3)↗
“It’s the best…uhh…What? You don’t want it?...,”the inexpertienced young man uttered,his hope dashed.
“Again,you disappointed me,Andrew.When are you going to learn? You have to be sure and confident. And think how best to make him part with his money. Apply yourself, Son. All your college education will not help if you don’t put your mind to selling. Think on your feet. Use psychology,” Andrew spoke with diffidence overwhelmed by his father’s criticism.
“You’ve been in this shop for six months and you haven’t succeeded in selling a single computer. I tell you what. I’ll give you one more chance. I’ll give you another three more weeks. If you still can’t make one sale, I’ll call in your elder brother to replace you. He will also take over the shop when I retire. There. I’ll just give you one last chance to prove yourself,” said Mr. Whitely, his patience wearing thin.
Andrew’s heart missed a beat. This time he would have to do it. Do or Die! A sense of urgency gripped him. Somehow he must prove himself to his father.
It was now the end of the day and the shop was being closed. The assistant employed by his father, called Mike, chuckled and put his arms round poor Andrew to comfort him,“ Sort it out yourself. It’s gotta come from yourself.” he said.
The shop was located in a bustling shopping center. Andrew left the shop and walked round the complex aimlessly and by chance entered a large bookstore. He glanced at the books and was about to leave when his eyes caught some interesting titles:‘ How to increase your confidence,’‘ The art of communication,’‘How to sell well’amongst others.
The next minute he was out of the store with the shopping bag bugling with books. In his apartment (for he loves separately from his parents and little sister),he settled himself in his easy chair and devoured the contents of the books, one by one. His keen intelligence enabled him to focus the details that matter and pick out the ideas and techniques expounded.In a week his image underwent a transformation. Gone was the stubble that used to give him an untidy image likened to a heroin addict.He was also smartly dressed now. Instead of his usual slurred speech and incoherence ,he spoke with clarity, purpose and forcefulness.He was more convincing and persuasive. Above all, confidence flowed from his being and he seemed to have learned a few tricks of the selling trade. He worked hard at his sales pitch and one day he succeeded in selling a computer. His first sale. He had finally achieved the quota of one sale within the given time frame of three weeks. The job, the shop, was his. He had to thank Mike for it. And now he had to go beyond his first successs and score, consistently and persistently. Nevertheless he had proved himself at last and the future looked bright and promising.
We learn from the story that at the beginning Andrew’s father_________.
| A.holds the view that Andrew is hopeless |
| B.has lost his patience with Andrew |
| C.has given the shop to Andrew |
| D.still hopes Andrew will improve |
We learn from the story that Andrew_________.
| A.has turned himself into an experienced sales manager |
| B.has tried in vain to get his job done in six months |
| C.has let his father down in the end |
| D.has done well with the help of Mike |
What’s the most significant change of character in Andrew?
| A.He’s more convincing. | B.He’s more hard-working. |
| C.He is more confident. | D.He is more intelligence. |
What conclusion can we draw from the story?
| A.Success depends on hard work,talent,and willingnesss to make changes. |
| B.However hard you try, you won’t achieve success without others’ help |
| C.It takes time to succeed, you have to try again and again and never give up |
| D.It’s good communication skills and some tricks that result in big business. |
Cafe Hub
Next to the Castle lies The Hub, home of the Edinburgh International Festival and one of the most talked about spots in town. Our cafe is open every day for mouth-watering lunches, snacks and fine dining. Come in and enjoy the atmosphere of The Hub or watch the world go by from our beautiful terrace.
The Hub, Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh.
Open every day from 9:30 a.m.till late.
Tel:0131173 2067 www.thehub-edinburgh.com
Farm World
Enjoy being“A Farmer for a Day”.Join in delivering and feeding our spring babies—bottle feeding sessions twice daily. Fun for all family. Horse Rides, BMX Bikes Cross Country Course. Tractor Ride through 600 acres, New Adventure Playground, Nature Trails. Full details on website.
Open:May—Oct Wednesdays to Saturdays and daily during school holidays 11 a.m.—5 p.m.
Tel:01797 260256/260321 www.farmworldrye.co.uk
Enter the Europe-wide student competition!
Are you curious, creative and energetic? Are you interested in the new media? Are you between 12 and 9 years of age? Then Join Multimedia 2010 is for you!
Your challenge will be to build a team and develop a multimedia presentation in English--based on one of three different topics. You can register between May 1 and June 15,2010 and will have to turn in your entry before September 15,2010.
The rewards are wonderful:£150,000 in prize for schools and teams and the chance to attend a European student camp—plus new experiences, an opportunity to make friends throughout Europe!
For further information and registration forms go to:www.siemens.com/ join. multimedia.
You’ll have to register first if you want_________.
| A.to enjoy delicious food |
| B.to try Tractor Ride through 600 acres |
| C.to enter the Europe-wide student competition |
| D.to watch the world go by from the beautiful terrace |
You can visit Farm Wrold_________.
| A.on Monday in May | B.any day in October |
| C.at 2 p.m.at Christmas | D.at 10:30 a.m. during school holidays |
.From the advertisements above,we can learn that_________.
| A.Cafe Hub is a popular place in the local area |
| B.families can enjoy Horse Rides on New Adventure Playground |
| C.Farm World provides lunches,snacks and fine dining |
| D.the Europe-wide student competition will be held on June 15,2010 |