America is a mobile society. Friendships between Americans can be close and real, yet disappear soon if situations change. Neither side feels hurt by this. Both may exchange Christmas greetings for a year or two, perhaps a few letters for a while — then no more. If the same two people meet again by chance, even years later, they pick up the friendship. This can be quite difficult for us Chinese to understand, because friendships between us flower more slowly but then may become lifelong feelings, extending (延伸) sometimes deeply into both families.
Americans are ready to receive us foreigners at their homes, share their holidays, and their home life. They will enjoy welcoming us and be pleased if we accept their hospitality (好客) easily.
Another difficult point for us Chinese to understand Americans is that although they include us warmly in their personal everyday lives, they don’t show their politeness to us if it requires a great deal of time. This is usually the opposite of the practice in our country where we may be generous with our time. Sometimes, we, as hosts, will appear at airports even in the middle of the night to meet a friend. We may take days off to act as guides to our foreign friends. The Americans, however, express their welcome usually at homes, but truly can not manage the time to do a great deal with a visitor outside their daily routine. They will probably expect us to get ourselves from the airport to our own hotel by bus. And they expect that we will phone them from there. Once we arrive at their homes, the welcome will be full, warm and real. We will find ourselves treated hospitably.
For the Americans, it is often considered more friendly to invite a friend to their homes than to go to restaurants, except for purely business matters. So accept their hospitality at home!The writer of this passage must be ______.
| A．an American | B．a Chinese |
| C．a professor | D．a student |
Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
| A．Friendships between Americans usually extend deeply into their families. |
| B．Friendships between Americans usually last for all their lives. |
| C．Americans always show their warmth even if they are very busy. |
| D．Americans will continue their friendships again even after a long break. |
From the last two paragraphs we can learn that when we arrive in America to visit an American friend, we will probably be ______.
| A．warmly welcomed at the airport |
| B．offered a ride to his home |
| C．treated hospitably at his home |
| D．treated to dinner in a restaurant |
The underlined words “generous with our time” in Paragraph 3 probably mean ______.
| A．strict with time | B．serious with time |
| C．careful with time | D．willing to spend time |
A suitable title for this passage would probably be “______”.
| A．Friendships between Chinese |
| B．Friendships between Americans |
| C．Americans’ hospitality |
| D．Americans’ and Chinese’s views of friendships |
Our fly-away vacation have been created with American visitors in mind.
For one, we have made getting to Europe easy. Systemwide, we serve nine European cities. From New York, we fly nonstop to Paris, Frankfurt and Zurich, with continuing service to Geneva.
Second, we have designed these vacation package tours the way Americans like to travel. We have picked hotels that give you the flavor of Europe while providing real value for your money.
We Americans have always like making up our own minds. We have tours by escorted （护卫）motor coach or your own rental car. And land packages in Paris that start as low as $ 299—$1289.
Another advantage of our fly-away vacations is that they are at a set US price. You needn’t worry about the changes in European currency. Then there is our fly-away vacation warranty. It’s your assurance that Americans stand behind your fly-away vacations.
You will find all the details of our warranty and of our European fly-away vacations in two free color brochures. Just call your travel agent or America toll-free at (800) 433-7300 to get yours.
| * Restrictions：Price is valid through 10/31/88 and is per person based on double occupancy for 6 nights. Price is subject to change without notice and does not include air fare, taxes or surcharges. Hotel subject to availability on certain dates. Warranty details available upon request. |
11．In which section of the newspaper can you find this passage?
A. Entertainment. B. News. C. Advertisement. D. Sports.
12．Which is not the advantage according to the passage?
A. Make it easy to Europe. B. Easy to get travelling information.
C. No changeable US price. D. Different ways to tour.
13．What does the underlined word “warranty” in Paragraph five mean?
A. Introduction. B. Notice. C. Suggestion. D. Promise.
14．Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. The price of the fly-away vacation is fixed.
B. Price is always valid, so you do not need to worry.
C. During the tour, there is no other type of tours.
D. There are only a few stops during the tour.
15．What is the best title of this passage?
A. Go shopping in Europe. B. The beautiful scenes of Europe.
C. How to take a plane. D. Travelling around Europe.
Transportation and communication networks bring people together. Yet sometimes people themselves create barriers(障碍) to transportation and communication. In some countries, laws stop people from moving freely from place to place. Over the centuries, many groups of people have been denied the freedom to travel because of their race, religion, or nationality. In the Middle Ages, for example, Jews were often forbidden to move about freely within certain cities. South Africa's government used to require black Africans to carry passes when they travel within the country. Some governments require all citizens to carry identification papers and to report to government officials whenever they move.
Countries set up customs posts at their borders. Foreign travellers must go through a customs inspection before they are allowed to travel in the country. Usually travellers have to carry special papers such as passports and visas(签证). Some countries even limit the number of visitors to their country each year. Others allow tourists to visit only certain areas of the country, or they may require that travellers be with an official guide at all times during their stay.
Many of those barriers to travel also act as barriers to communication.
When two governments disagree with each other on important matters, they usually do not want their citizens to exchange news or ideas freely. Countries often try to keep military or industrial information secret.
Today, people have the ability to travel, to communicate, and to transport goods more quickly and easily than ever before. Natural barriers that were difficult or dangerous to cross a hundred years ago can now be crossed easily. The barriers that people themselves make are not so easy to overcome. But in spite of all the different kinds of barriers, people continue to enjoy travel and the exchange of goods and ideas.
6. The examples in paragraph 2 are used to tell the readers that _______
A. people have been allowed to travel freely within the country
B. people have not been permitted to travel freely for various reasons
C. travellers have to carry special papers such as passports and visas
D. customs posts are necessary at the borders of the countries
7. Some governments limit the freedom of communication because___
A. they intend to keep their national secrets unknown to others
B. they think such freedom will lead to wars
C. they often disagree with each other on important matters
D. they want to show their authority over communication
8. We may learn from the passage that _______
A. people do not care about the removal of barriers between countries
B. people can not remove the obstacles made by themselves
C. man-made barriers are sometimes harder to overcome than natural ones
D. barriers should be taken for granted as they always exist
9. Which of the following can serve as the best title of the passage?
A. Barriers Made by People B. Functions of Communication
C. Restrictions on Transportation D. Progress of Human Society
10．Which is NOT mentioned as the possible limits some countries put on foreign visitors?
A. They have to get a visa before they enter the country.
B. Only a limited number of visitors are allowed to enter the country every year.
C. Not every part of the country is open to foreign tourists.
D. They have to report to government officials when they come to a new place.
In the very early 1800’ s, a young boy about 14 years old named John lived in an orphanage (孤儿院) in Old England along with several other children. Orphan meant unwanted and unloved.
Christmas was the one day of the year when the children didn’t work and received a gift, an orange. Usually they tried to taste and preserve it for so long that it often rotted before they ever peeled(剥开)it to enjoy the sweet juice. Many thought were expressed as Christmas time approached.The children would say, “I will keep mine the longest.” John usually slept with his next to his pillow. This year John was overjoyed by the Christmas season. He was becoming a man and stronger and soon he would be old enough to leave. He would save his orange until his birthday in July.
Christmas day finally came. The children were so excited as they entered the big dining hall. Immediately the master shouted, “John, leave the hall and there will be no orange for you this year.” John’s heart broke violently wide open. He turned and went swiftly back to the cold room. Then he heard the door open and each of the children entered. Little Elizabeth with her hair falling over her shoulders, a smile on her face, and tears in her eyes held out a piece of rag to John. “Here John,” she said, “this is for you.” As he lifted back the edges of the rag he saw a big juicy orange all peeled and quartered and then he realized what they had done.
John never forgot the sharing, love and personal sacrifice his friends had shown him that Christmas day. In memory of that day every year he would send oranges all over the world to children everywhere.
1. The first paragraph is mainly to tell us that ______.
A. John lived in the early 1800’ s B. John’s parents had died
C. John lived a hard life in an orphanage D. John lived with several other children
2. These children would be happiest when ______.
A. they got the special gift B. they preserved it very long
C. they finally enjoyed the sweet juice D. they entered the dining hall
3. What would overjoy John most the next year according to the second paragraph?
A. He placed his orange next to his pillow.
B. He would eat his orange on his birthday.
C. He wouldn’t get his special gift.
D. He would stay in the orphanage for another year
4. According to the text, where did John’s orange come from this year?
A. It was made up of what these children donated.
B. His master gave him a whole one again.
C. These children bought him one.
D. Little Elizabeth donated hers to John.
5. What can be inferred from the text?
A. John had expected he wouldn’t get the gift this year.
B. John knew why he didn’t get the gift this year.
C. John felt ashamed for not getting the special gift.
D. The story teaches us to learn to share with others.
Be Brave With New Things
The old advertising slogan, “so simple a child can do it ,” has taken on new meaning to me. A few weeks ago I got a computer, but I an mechanically illiterate. I knew that children had no fear of the future, so that seemed a good place to seek help. I asked my nephew, twelve years old, at an elementary school, to help me.
My nephew took the machine for granted and has simply accepted the fact that computers are now a way of life. He plays with them and does his homework on them and even creates programs for them. I , on the other hand, are terrified by what this equipment can do. It can interchange paragraphs, switch words around and even correct my spelling. It informs me of Its limitations, takes commands and asks questions. It even seems to have a sense of communication. Rather than accusing me of making an error, it prints “One of us has made a mistake!” It never gets tired and is always patient and ready to go when I am.
I think it was somewhat normal for me to be suspicious of computers. They represent a break with some very familiar habits and traditions. It is only human to instinctively avoid anything that shifts thoroughly from the acceptable, comfortable past. But the world is governed by ceaseless change and we must therefore establish links with the present and future as well as the past. Computer technology is an excellent case in point, as the newest systems grow out of date in only a few years, or even months.
This ability to see, experience and accept the new is one of our saving characteristics. To be fearful of tomorrow, to close ourselves to possibilities, to resist the inevitable, to advocate standing still when all else is moving forward, is to lose touch. If we accept the new with joy and wonder, we can move gracefully into each tomorrow. More often than not, the children shall lead us.
19．What is the new meaning of “So simple a child can do it” for the author?
A．computers are so easy to operate that even a child can play them well
B．A child can always do more complex things than an adult.
C．It is easier for a child to accept new things than for an adult.
D．A child has greater ability than an adult in operating computers.
20．According to the second paragraph, which of the following statements is true?
A．The nephew thought it is natural to accept the fact that computers are now a way of life.
B．The nephew believed that machines were made for people to do whatever they wanted.
C．computers are not only used to communicate, but also to remove their limitations.
D．It is a fact that both adults and children have accepted computers as a way of life.
21．Which of the following doesn’t the author’s computer do ?
A．It asks the author if she has made a mistake.
B．It accuses the author of making mistakes.
C．It corrects the author’s spelling mistakes.
D．It informs the author of her mistakes.
22．According to the third paragraph, it is human nature that we resist those things which
A．only represent the comfortable and acceptable past
B．change thoroughly into the comfortable and acceptable past
C．make people stand still when all else is moving forward
D．change completely from the acceptable and comfortable past
Dallas Children’s Theater Academy
ShowBiz Summer 2008
Rosewood Center for Family Arts
5938 Skillman * Dallas, TX 75231 * (214) 978-0110
Important Information
* All classes are taught by DCT Theater Professionals!
* All Grade Levels indicated are for Fall 2008.
* Tuition Deposit required for registration.
* Tuition balance due on the first day of class. No tuition refunds (退款).
* DCT reserves the right to cancel any class; refunds made for cancellation.
* Please accompany student to first day of class.
* Registration begins one-half hour before class time.
* Questions? Call Nancy Schaeffer at (214) 978-0110 or e-mail nancy@dct.org
How To Register
MAIL: * Fill out the form in this brochure.
* Be sure to list the class and group that you want & the dates.
* The registration form may be copied.
FAX: Complete the registration form and fax it to DCT at (214) 978-0118.
PHONE: Call (214) 978-0110.
WEB: Visit www.dct.org, click on Academy Classes
Drama Days! — $175
Entering Grades: Group A: K Group B: 1st & 2nd Group C: 3rd –– 5th
Mon. –– Fri. 9: 30 a .m. –– 1 p.m. June 2 –– June 6
* Day One –– come up with a character, work with your class to plan the play.
* Day Two –– create the situations and scenes for your one-of-a-kind show!
* Day Three –– rehearse (排演) your part.
* Day Four –– pick a costume, get ready!
* Day Five –– SHOWTIME –– invite family and friends to your Friday Showcase!
* Bring a sack lunch and drink each day!
Laugh Out Loud –– $175
Entering Grades: 5+ Mon. –– Fri. 1:30 p.m. –– 5:00 p.m. June 23 –– June 27 Show Friday, June 27
* Do you like comedy? Try your hand at the world of comedy in the class just for you!
* Learn a comedy sketch from the old masters!
* Tell a joke! Learn why old jokes can be the best!
* Work with your class to put on a one-of-a-kind Comedy Show for family and friends!
Acting –– Just Acting –– $225
Group A: Entering Grades K; Group B: Entering Grades 1st –– 2nd; Group C: Entering Grades 3rd –– 4th; Mon. –– Fri. 9: 30 a .m. –– 2:30 p.m.; Session I: July 28 –– Aug. 1; Session II: Aug. 4 –– Aug. 8; Session III: Aug. 11 –– Aug. 15
* Are you ready to challenge your acting skills and try something new?!
* Start with the characters: Who are you? Be the Star of your Dreams.
* Become the character you’ve always wanted to be.
* Work with your class to create the plot.
* Get ready to present your show for family and friends on the final Friday!
Summer Scenes –– $225
Entering Grades 5th and 6th; Mon. –– Fri. 9: 30 a .m. –– 2:30 p.m.; Session I: July 28 –– Aug.1; Session II: Aug. 4 –– Aug. 8; Session III: Aug. 11 –– Aug. 15
* Do you want to be an actor?
* Improve your skills with instruction from professional actors & directors.
* Rehearse and perform scenes from your favorite plays.
* Develop characters and polish performances!
14. What is the purpose of the text?
A. To attract readers to attend Summer Scenes.
B. To persuade readers to attend ShowBiz Summer 2008.
C. To earn money from the introduction.
D. To teach readers how to register for ShowBiz Summer 2008.
15. If you want to attend Showbiz Summer 2008, you should be aware that ______.
A. tuition must be paid at least before June 2
B. there’ll be no refunds in any case.
C. registration begins half an hour after class time
D. students had better be accompanied on the first day
16. It can be inferred from the text that all the four one-week specials ______.
A. are intended for children aged below 5
B. are all held at Rosewood Center for Family Arts
C. will take place in June or July and last five days
D. need students to bring a sack lunch and drink each day
17. Which of the following classes suits those who want to be actors?
A. Drama Days! B. Laugh Out Loud.
C. Acting – Just Acting. D. Summer Scenes.
18. Where is the text most probably from?
A. Part of a brochure. B. An entertainment magazine.
C. A newspaper. D. A guide book.