A higher proportion of Americans are living alone and spending time alone than in past decades. According to the U.S. Census Bureau，a third of U.S. adults over 45 reports being lonely. Less than half of U.S. adults participate in an organized religious group and less than a quarter participate in a social club or a local sports league. And the problem has been getting worse.
It sounds bad, but, after all, some people like being alone, and we all have to do it sometimes, so what’s the problem? According to a widely reported 2019 analysis of studies, being socially isolated, feeling lonely and living alone corresponded with an increased risk of mortality (死亡) by 29 percent, 26 percent, and 32 percent respectively. Lacking social connection carries a risk that is comparable, and in many cases, exceeds that of other well-accepted risk factors, including smoking up to 15 cigarettes per day, obesity, physical inactivity. and air pollution.
“Loneliness is the subjective feeling of being alone,” Dr. Holt-Lunstad, the lead author of that study tells The Healthy. “It’s defined as the discrepancy between one’s actual level of social connection and one’s desired level of social connection.” “Social isolation means having few relationships and infrequent social contacts,” Dr. Holt-Lunstad adds, “someone who is isolated is at greater risk of becoming lonely, but you can be lonely and not isolated and isolated and not lonely.”
The epidemic of loneliness is compounded today by the coronavirus pandemic which makes the government ask people to stay by themselves. What can we do to mitigate the negative healthy effects? Dr. Holt-Lunstad recommends. “You could view your situation as being tapped or forced to stay home, or you could change your concept to thinking about this as ‘this is something I am doing to protect the ones I love’. And helping care for someone, an animal or even a plant can help reduce the feeling of loneliness and improve survival rate. Another step you can take is to connect with people in your life who you haven’t reached out to in a while.” Dr. Holt-Lunstad also says, “The greatest gift we can give people is our full attention. That means not just sharing but listening and listening deeply.”
1. What can be inferred from the first two paragraphs?| A．Americans gradually dislike participating in social activities. |
| B．Feeling lonely accounts for about one third of deaths in America. |
| C．Living alone can result in smoking more and physical inactivity. |
| D．The problem of loneliness in America is very serious. |
| A．Someone who is alone must be lonely. |
| B．Someone who is isolated must be lonely. |
| C．Someone who is isolated may not be lonely. |
| D．Someone who has frequent social contact can’t be lonely. |
| A．Shifting our concept. | B．Self-supporting. |
| C．Reaching out to strangers. | D．Light listening. |
| A．Are you feeling isolated? | B．Loneliness is worsening in America. |
| C．The risks of being lonely. | D．How can we deal with loneliness? |
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【推荐1】This may be sad to hear, but the number of Britain’s famous red telephone boxes has been falling for decades. The phone box is iconic (标志性的) to foreign fans of Britain and visitors to the country. There are still many left to enjoy, however.
There is deep feeling for the bright red iron-and-glass boxes with the Queen’s coat of arms. The places that still have the red box are mostly small and in the countryside. In these places, the phone box may be a symbol of community, as well as a landmark.
But there are still several cities, including London, that still have original red phone boxes in place.
For tourists, they probably make the perfect background for a selfie (自拍照). Visit London any day in the summer and you’ll see people with their smart phones taking photos with the red box behind them. People who receive the photo will have no trouble guessing where the selfie was taken.
Ever since mobile phones became more widespread, there has been less and less point in public phones. But although the red boxes are no longer popular places to make a call from, new uses are being found for them all the time. The famous design created by Giles Gilbert Scott back in 1924 lives on, but in ways the British architect would never have imagined.
Some of the new ways the phone boxes are being used are quite unusual. For example, some have been changed into tiny coffee shops. Others are hat stores. In one remote area of the country, a red box that had not been used for a long time has been turned into a small lending library.
Even back in their heyday in the last century, phone boxes were put to other uses. Some people even used them as toilets in an emergency.
But for many, they were a safe place to hide if you were caught up in the rain. Britain’s weather is unpredictable: sun one moment, heavy rain the next. So if you are planning to visit the UK and want the perfect British selfie, standing inside a red telephone box in a rainstorm may be your best bet.
1. According to the author, the red phone boxes in Britain are special because .| A．they can be put into different kinds of use |
| B．they are only found in the British countryside |
| C．they hold great meaning to some British communities |
| D．they have a deep connection with the royal family |
| A．are mostly made of wood and glass |
| B．first appeared in big cities such as London |
| C．were designed by a British architect in the 1930s |
| D．are not used much for phone calls these days |
| A．a popular time | B．a bad time |
| C．an unusual time | D．a happy time |
| A．explain how to deal with Britain’s changeable weather |
| B．describe a common way of making use of a red phone box in the UK |
| C．advise visitors to take a selfie standing inside a red telephone box |
| D．show how to use a red phone box in the case of an emergency |
【推荐2】We've all heard of IQ, and terms like EO, which relates to our emotional intelligence. But have you ever heard of AQ? AQ stands for "adversity (逆境) quotient" and measures our ability to deal with the ups and downs of life.
Adversity can take us by surprise and shock us. In the workplace, it could be in the state of being laid off (下岗), the company being closed，or missing out on good opportunities. Failed friendship and relationships, financial hard times and the losing of family members are thing that can happen outside of work. Being able to handle these hard things is not only important in professional lives but also in personal lives.
AQ measures our ability to face the shocks when life "surprises" us-how likely we are to struggle to stand up in these situations. It can be used to predict our attitudes, perseverance and the way we learn from changes in the environment. To be exact, our resilience (适应力) works when there is an unexpected change.
Luckily, there are some steps we can take to adapt to the adversity, according to Dr. Shahram Heshmat, professor of health economics. Fist, try to find a meaningful goal Resilient people often have an aim and are able to concentrate more on a desired result, seeing negative situations as a way to their goal. Learning to relax and control our emotions is another key step. See difficulties as opportunities to learn and grow emotionally. Finally, make sure we have a good social support. Being able to talk with someone about the challenges we face can help.
Unexpected things happen in life — and sometimes they aren't pleasant. But, taking a few steps to have better resilience can make them a little easier to get through.
1. What does AQ measure?.| A．The pressure to face challenges | B．The reaction to others' requests. |
| C．The feeling of meeting difficulties. | D．The ability to handle the tough changes. |
| A．Set a goal that is easy to achieve. | B．Learn how to hide your real emotions. |
| C．Talk to everyone who can offer you help. | D．See problems as opportunities to grow. |
| A．Self Help is the Best Help | B．IO. EG. AQ Help You in Adversity |
| C．Be More Resilient to Face Hardships | D．A Trouble Shared is a Trouble Halved |
【推荐3】When success comes quickly, as a result of hard work meeting opportunity, one tends to forget that it may not always continue on trend.
Like me, most people do not “hit it big”. We tend to take a more circuitous(迂回的) route toward success. Believe that great success is not always be given the lucky but those who go after it long and diligently.
Recently I have conversations with many people that are in the “success” stage, not happy where they currently are or feeling “unsuccessful”. Society has made us confirm that we need to be wealthy in order to be successful. I tell them not to get on the “way off track”. Success doesn’t have to be financial, it could be relationships, it could be fulfilling your passions, and it could be your health level. I know many successful people that are not wealthy but are rich in their career or spirit. The worst thing people can do is chase the “money” by any kind of means. Success is made by serving others, and in turn, you will get the rewards of financial success.
It’s not easy travelling down the roads of patience, risk and uncertainty. You must stay flexible because the road to success is always under construction. You must concentrate because someone or something will throw a roadblock in the middle of the road. So, get ready for difficulty and delays. Stop worrying about failure.
The road to success is not a straight line, it’s over mountains and down in the valleys. With persistence and belief, you will most certainly get there. Trust you will have powerful and new breakthroughs as long as you get rid of the hurdle of self-doubt and never give up. And, even if all else fail, remind yourself that: I couldn’t wait for success, so I went ahead without it.
1. When success comes quickly a person probably .| A．forgets it is not easy to be successful | B．forgets successful trend continues |
| C．forgets success may not be always true | D．remembers success may come suddenly |
| A．Have a big dream | B．Achieve great success |
| C．Solve a big problem | D．Hit something heavily |
| A．the rich are successful | B．the poor may be successful |
| C．to succeed needs money | D．success belongs to the lucky |
| A．Success needs courage | B．The road to success |
| C．What leads to success | D．Success is our dream |
【推荐1】More and more English-educated Chinese Singaporean parents are realizing the importance for their children to be not only good at the all-important English language, but also at Chinese. China has become a great political and economic superpower and they want their children to become bilingual.
It is well known that, to master any language, especially one’s mother tongue, one must begin from childhood. But there are challenges and barriers for children of English-speaking homes to succeed in their journey towards bilingualism.
Take my family as an example. While my wife and I are products of English education, we had some foundation in Chinese which we kept up in our working life. But the language of communication in our home is mainly English.
We are glad that our three children had between 8 and 11 years’ Chinese schooling before switching over to English schools. Their foundation in Chinese has become an advantage in their adult life. They can hold their own in the spoken language, but would find it hard to write a business letter in Chinese for lack of usage.
We have a grandson who will be two years old shortly. His parents have given us the unenviable task of making him bilingual. It is a very tough assignment, as we are with him only a couple of hours on most days. For the rest of the time, he is being surrounded by English sounds by his busy parents.
Fortunately, our perseverance is paying off. After eight months, he has been used to hearing Chinese sounds, and even he can now quite comfortably identify common everyday objects in Chinese.
1. Why is it becoming necessary for some Chinese Singaporean children to learn Chinese?| A．Because most of the Singaporeans come from China. |
| B．Because their parents are missing their motherland. |
| C．Because China has become a great political and economic superpower. |
| D．Because Chinese is the official language in the UN. |
| A．a person who knows English | B．a person who knows Chinese |
| C．a person who knows only one language | D．a person who knows two languages |
| A．there are challenges for children of English-speaking homes to learn Chinese |
| B．his foundation in Chinese is a big advantage in teaching his grandson |
| C．he is quite good at teaching small children Chinese |
| D．learning Chinese is very popular in Singapore |
| A．all the children in Singapore need to learn Chinese |
| B．understanding Chinese is becoming an advantage in Singapore |
| C．the author’s children know nothing about Chinese |
| D．the author feels it easy to teach others Chinese |
【推荐2】Whether you’re considering gap time directly after high school, during college, or a mid-career break, taking a year off is a great opportunity to learn through new experiences, grow beyond your comfort zone, and get out of your ordinary routine.
If your hunger to travel the world, meet new people, and experience new adventures can no longer be ignored, a gap year program is a great opportunity to volunteer abroad, teach abroad, intern abroad, or attend a language school. Whether you’re attracted by a quick tour across country borders on multiple continents, or a long-term stay in a near or distant city, the best way to spend your gap year is completely up to you!
Gap years are becoming increasingly common for students and young professionals. In fact, many find that when applying for jobs, their gap year experience helps their resume stand out among a sea of qualified candidates.
Because of the popularity of gap years, potential gap year travelers have tons of questions like: Is taking a gap year possible?
• Who takes a gap year?
• How much does a gap year cost?
• How can I make the most of my gap year?
• When is the best time to take a gap year?
• Will a gap year affect my college applications?
• What are the pros and cons of a gap year?
• Am I too old to take a gap year?
• Are there gap year jobs available?
Here at Go Overseas we have detailed information to help you have a year of meaningful growth through exploring your interests, passions, and curiosities, as well as supporting your desire for experiential learning, either locally or abroad. Go through gap year program listings and reviews, read through expert gap year advice and ideas, and decide how to get the most out of your gap year.
1. What do you know about the gap year?| A．It is not worthwhile. | B．It mainly suits school students. |
| C．It does more harm than good. | D．It contributes to a new routine. |
| A．People who have only been on the job for a year. |
| B．People who always want to learn a new language abroad. |
| C．High school students who are tired of sitting all day long. |
| D．People who want to achieve work-life balance in the long run. |
| A．It makes little difference to them. |
| B．It makes their resumes look more authentic. |
| C．It makes their potential employers confused. |
| D．It increases their chances of being hired. |
| A．To draw the attention of new gap year travelers. |
| B．To show the difficulties that a gap year traveler may meet. |
| C．To reflect what people might want to know about taking a gap year. |
| D．To explain why people should take a gap year into consideration. |
| A．A travel guide. |
| B．A guide to career choices. |
| C．An advertisement for taking a gap year. |
| D．Suggestions for having a wonderful school life. |
【推荐3】Parents’ deciding to stay at home with their teens is not necessarily new. Many caregivers have realized the importance of devoting extra time to their teens. Mary Dixon Lebeau took an early retirement from her job five years ago. She wanted to spend more time with her then 14-year-old daughter, Libby. “My daughter suffers from anxiety, and I believe having a parent 100% present can help her deal with daily problems. She actually thrived during those years and was ready when she moved six hours away for college last year,” Lebeau said.
Anxiety is one of the leading mental health issues teens are facing. The pandemic worsened this issue, making many parents worried about their teens’ mental health. Bevan R. was one of them. When COVID-19 hit, Bevan R. started working remotely. She continued doing it for her child. “After becoming fully remote during the pandemic, and my teen’s struggle with several issues including depression and anxiety became serious, I have chosen to remain pretty much full-time working from home,” Bevan R. noted. She wanted to be available for her 16-year-old daughter, Izzy.
In addition to mental health needs, parents may choose to stay home to have more quality time with their children. Being home means less commuting, which may factor into the decision. That can lead to a more flexible schedule and a simpler way of life. While at home, parents can also help ensure their child is getting the educational support that they need.
The decision to work remotely may not be just to stay home with a child. It can also be a byproduct of the changing employment landscape, including job losses. Approximately 60% of people who say their jobs can be done from home are taking advantage of remote work situations. Sixty-four percent of those workers say being at home has made it easier to have positive work-life balance.
1. What drove Mary Dixon Lebeau to retire early?| A．Her child’s request to be tended. |
| B．Her desire to accompany her child. |
| C．The long distance from her workplace. |
| D．The heavy workload of her previous job. |
| A．By comparing different cases. |
| B．By analyzing various reasons. |
| C．By presenting a typical example. |
| D．By listing possible consequences. |
| A．A balanced lifestyle. |
| B．A more manageable schedule. |
| C．Increased employment chances. |
| D．Better relationships with children. |
| A．Why Are Parents of Teens Staying Home? |
| B．What Do Teens Really Need from Parents? |
| C．How Could Parents Relieve Teens’ Anxiety? |
| D．What Is the Most Desirable Education for Teens? |
【推荐1】Sixteen years ago I set out on a path of writing a life skills book for young people and creating a foundation to donate this book to youth organizations and schools. As a high school basketball coach my “mission” was to teach and inspire kids around the world to “Achieve Straight A’s in the School of Life!” I recently turned age fifty and the book is now published in English as well as Spanish; plus, the foundation is launched. The organization is called the School of Life Foundation and the book that we give to kids is called Learn to “School” Your Toughest Opponent. Over the past two years we have placed this curriculum in the lives of close to 20,000 youth across sixteen states and eleven countries. The School of Life Foundation continues to grow each week.
The “Straight A’s in Life” system contained in the workbook has ten steps as follows：
·Appreciate — Have more gratitude in your life
·Assist — Serve others every day
·Attitude — Choose yours each morning
·Aim — Learn to focus by setting goals
·Associate — Make good people a part of your life
·Align — Get organized
·Action — Make things happen or watch and wonder
·Avoid — Stay away from things that will harm you
·Adapt — Turn every challenge into an opportunity
·Always — Remember to pray and ponder each day
My heart and soul is touched every day as I learn of a new story of a young person's life improving by using this journal workbook while “Living the A's” in life!
I am now “Living My Dream” of making a difference in the world. I chose to not give up over the past sixteen years when obstacles and discouragement got in the way. You have to perform with passion!
Your mission in life may be large or small, but is vital to all of us no matter what it may be. What are you doing today to find it? Are you living your dream? I am simply the guy next door encouraging you to get started today!
1. From the first paragraph, we know the writer’s dream is ________.| A．to become a basketball coach in a famous college |
| B．to become a famous writer around the world |
| C．to teach and inspire kids to have the A's school life |
| D．to found an organization to help the poor children |
| A．Appoint. | B．Attitude. |
| C．Always. | D．Aim. |
| A．to help teachers to have the “Straight A's in Life” |
| B．affecting more than 20,000 youth around the world |
| C．to donate all kinds of books to youth organizations and schools |
| D．developing very well and growing each week |
| A．a science book |
| B．a magazine |
| C．an entertainment newspaper |
| D．a guide book |
【推荐2】As we sip our coffee and read the daily headlines, climate changes can seem like a distant threat. But travel a few thousands miles to the source of your caffeine fix, and the threat is all too real.
The coffee farmers are now seeing violent downpours that drown their plants in Mexico, where the climate used to be stable and mild, but the temperature now see-saws between extreme cold and heat, which greatly affects their harvest. Unfortunately, farmers across South America, Asia and Africa are also watching coffee plants decrease as droughts and downpours attack their crops as a result of global warming. The consequences of all this could soon work their way through the pipeline to your local coffee shop.
The problem arises, in part, from refinement (改进) of our taste. Two main breeds of commercial coffee Arabica and Robusta gain special reputation. The former is by far the world’s favourite, accounting for about 70% of the coffee we drink. However, the Arabica plants have been bred from a very small stock taken from the mountains of Ethiopia-giving it very little genetic diversity and making it particularly difficult to adapt to climate change. Besides, the plant grows best between a very narrow range of relatively mild temperatures (18 to 22℃ ) and needs gentle, regular rainfall. The delicate Arabica plants just can’t cope with the new and unpredictable conditions that come with global warming.
All of these paint a depressing picture for the future. Researchers predict that the land suited to farming Arabica could drop by as much as 50% by 2050. Classic coffee-producing region, such as Vietnam, India and most of Central America, will be hit particularly hard. Some of the farmers feel that the subject has almost become taboo, “We talk very little about climate. We already know how it is—and that there is nothing we can do.”
1. What does the author imply at the beginning?| A．The origin of coffee is at risk. |
| B．Coffee consumers like reading newspaper. |
| C．The origin of coffee is visited by consumers. |
| D．Coffee consumers do care about the weather very much. |
| A．They become victims of extreme weather. |
| B．Those in Mexico suffer the greatest loss. |
| C．Some of them take measures to cut the losses. |
| D．They try to meet the market demand for coffee. |
| A．Its market share is low. |
| B．It can only be planted in Etiopia. |
| C．It has disease-causing genes. |
| D．It has high demands for environment. |
| A．easily understood. | B．rarely mentioned. |
| C．hardly avoided. | D．heatedly discussed. |
Just days after the World Expo was closed, they agreed on plans for a joint venture(合资企业)to manage the project, expected to cover nearly eight square miles for the entire resort(度假胜地), the city government said in a statement. The cost is reportedly estimated at 25 billion yuan.
Plans call for the theme park to be a “strong international tourism resort” with a pleasant, low-carbon environment, the city said.A joint venture between local companies and Disney will be responsible for construction, management and operation of the Disney theme park，it said.
Some villagers were long ago moved off farmland in Chuansha, a part of Pudong district near the city's main international airport，to make way for the park.
Disney issued a statement confirming its discussions with the Shanghai government, saying, “We can confirm the statement from the Shanghai government that we have taken another step forward in the approval process.”
But the company said it was still awaiting final approval of the joint venture by the central government and completion of necessary procedures.
The sixmonthlong World Expo，which ended on Sunday，drew a record of 72 million visitors，mostly Chinese tourists.That event made it necessary for the city to build nearly a dozen new subway lines，new highways，airport upgrades and other modern facilities.
With the Disneyland project due to start，the city appears likely to continue its building boom(激增)．
The agreement on Friday came exactly a year after China's national planning agency approved the plans for the parka major step toward getting the project started.
The park will give Shanghai，the mainland's main financial and commercial centre，a new showcase.While the city is one of China's most modern and wealthy cities，it has relatively few big historic landmarks compared with ancient capitals like Beijing and Xi'an.
Disney has said the Shanghai resort will include a “MagicKingdomstyle theme park with characteristics tailored to the Shanghai region.”
Disney has been expanding its presence in mainland China after opening a theme park in Hong Kong in 2005.That venue, which has suffered from disappointing attendance，is in the midst of Disney’s expansion as it intends to compete with the future theme park in Shanghai.
1. What do we know about the Disneyland project to be built in Shanghai?
| A．The cost is more than 25 billion yuan. |
| B．The design is environmentally friendly. |
| C．It will be built by Walt Disney Company. |
| D．It is as large as the World Expo Garden in area. |
| A．The construction of the theme park is in process. |
| B．They need approval from the central government. |
| C．The joint venture has completed necessary procedures. |
| D．Disney didn't think their discussions with the Shanghai government was helpful. |
| A．visitors often go to Hong Kong Disneyland these days because of its expansion |
| B．the Shanghai theme park should learn from Hong Kong's |
| C．Hong Kong Disneyland will face more challenges |
| D．Hong Kong Disneyland is well managed |
【推荐1】Embassy Suites by Hilton Santa Ana Orange County Airport
Neighborhood: John Wayne Airport(SNA),Orange County,1325 East Dyer Road, Santa Ana, CA
OVERALL GUEST SCORE
Hotel Description
Being close to the airport and freeway access make the Embassy Suites a top choice for our guests in the area. The 300-room Embassy Suites offers homey comforts for those on business and vacation alike-suites with separate living and sleeping areas, refrigerators, microwaves, coffeemakers, Wi-Fi access and two TVs. Wake up to a free cooked-to-order breakfast and enjoy the indoor pool and fitness center. A two-hour evening reception offers drinks and snacks and the on-site restaurant serves American favorites. The property also has a business center with copy and fax services. Parking is available for an additional fee. Less than two miles from I-405,the Embassy Suites is within a half-mile of various restaurants and just three miles from John Wayne Airport. Our guests say the Embassy Suites 'location, "brilliant" breakfast and "friendly" staff make it one of their favorite Santa Ana properties.
Guest Ratings |
Good Feb 8,2017 By: Harold Pros: Loved the breakfast and the friendly, helpful staff. Spacious accommodations made this a very good value. Cons: Didn't love the heating/AC system; room was too cold for comfort. Also was not aware of the parking fee until we checked in. The parking fee was $ 17 a night. |
Good Jan 24,2017 By: Micaela Pros: Breakfast was amazing with a variety of choices and the staff were helpful. Cons: The room had a very strange old smell when we first got there. I had to open the door to air it out. Very Good Jan 5,2017 By: Bruce Pros: The location was very good for us and the included breakfast was a plus. Cons: The room was not cleaned properly when we got there. The heating system was not working for the hotel as well. |
1. What makes the Embassy Suites a top choice for its guests in the area?
| A．The business center. | B．The friendly staff. |
| C．The convenient location. | D．Wi-Fi access. |
| A．heating system | B．free airport shuttle |
| C．parking fee | D．breakfast |
| A．using guests' comments | B．interviewing the guests |
| C．offering competitive prices | D．providing the exact address |
【推荐2】Traditionally, patients who want to improve their heart health have received four main suggestions from their doctors: Eat a healthy diet, get more exercise, quit smoking, and enjoy proper amounts of alcohol. Plenty of research backs up these four pieces of advice: Large studies have found that making improvements in these four areas lowers the chance of dying of heart disease by 67 percent.
But lately, researchers are starting to recognize that there should be five recommendations on that list, not just four. They’re discovering that getting enough sleep is a powerful health protector as well. When researchers include enough sleep in their studies as a fifth cardio-preventive behavior change, they find that it lowers the chance of dying of heart disease even more: Adding a good seven hours of sleep a night in addition to making positive changes in diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol intake lowers the chance of dying of heart disease by 83 percent.
When that news started coming out, doctors began adding sleep onto their list of recommended health behavior changes. But as an expert in heart disease, I don’t think sleep belongs at the bottom of the list. I think it should be at the top. I believe that getting enough sleep – at least seven to eight hours per night for most people –is the most important health behavior change you can make to improve the health of your heart and your overall health.
Sure, I’d prefer that everyone make all of the big five lifestyle changes, but if I could only choose one, I’d pick sleep because when you are well-rested, you have more power to make the right choices about what you eat and drink, and you have more energy to exercise and kick bad habits such as smoking and overeating. But when you’re exhausted, everything in life is more difficult.
1. What does plenty of research show about the 4 common suggestions?| A．They should be reconsidered. |
| B．They help improve people’s health. |
| C．They are not as helpful as expected. |
| D．They are the best ways found so far. |
| A．They just ignored it. |
| B．They discussed it publicly. |
| C．They thought it made sense. |
| D．They totally changed their mind. |
| A．What the importance of a healthy lifestyle is. |
| B．Why different factors need to work together. |
| C．What prevents people from living healthily. |
| D．Why the author makes sleep his No. 1 suggestion. |
【推荐3】Plays are an important part of British culture. The West End theatre in London is the best place to watch a professional play, but acting also takes place in every school and village hall across the country.
There are over 2,500 non-professional drama groups in the UK today and they are an active part of community life. People from all walks of life take on acting roles besides their regular jobs. They do it for fun, for the love of acting and as a way to meet new people.
Not everyone in a drama club is a skilled actor, but enthusiasm is considered to be more important than talent. Friends, family members and neighbours enjoy getting together to watch the final performance and telling the people they know to “break a leg”. It’s a great way of bringing communities together. Also, in many rural parts of Britain, non-professional theatre is the only chance people have to see plays for miles around.
Many people get a taste for acting at school. Every school puts on a play at least once per year, usually at Christmas, and parents love coming to watch their children perform. Ask any British person and they’re sure to have happy memories of being in their school’s Christmas play, whether they played the role of Mary or Joseph or perhaps even a sheep or a donkey.
Another Christmas theatre tradition is the pantomime（童话剧）. Pantomimes are a type of musical comedy for families. The audience is encouraged to participate in the performance-singing along with the music and shouting to the actors. Pantomimes are really fun to watch, especially for children.
British people love going to the theatre, professional or not, and many of them also enjoy performing. If you have the chance, go and see a play in the UK.
1. Where can British people probably see the best professional play according to the passage?| A．In the school halls. | B．In every village hall. |
| C．In the West End theatre in London. | D．In many rural parts of Britain. |
| A．To get to know more people. | B．To look for the fun of life. |
| C．Because they enjoy performance. | D．Because they don’t like their own jobs. |
| A．Pay attention to safety. | B．Say good luck and wish you success. |
| C．Wish actors good health. | D．Avoid being hurt. |
| A．During the Christmas period. | B．At the beginning of a school year |
| C．During family gatherings. | D．The time when you’re visiting schools and villages. |
