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题型:阅读理解-阅读单选 难度:0.65 引用次数:211 题号:12967390

Opera is an art form that celebrates the human voice. No other art form creates excitement and moves the heart in the way that opera does, especially when performed by a great singer. Opera is an important part of the Western classical music tradition. It uses music, words, and actions to bring a dramatic story to life. Opera started in Italy at the end of the 16th century and later became popular throughout Europe. Over the years, it has responded to various musicals. In recent decades, much wider audiences have been introduced to opera through modern recording technology. Some singers have become celebrities thanks to performing on radio, on TV, and in the cinema.

However, in recent years, opera has been facing serious challenges. One current challenge to opera is economic. The shortage of money raises the broader question of how much should be paid to support opera singers and other artists. Society seems to accept the large salaries paid to business managers and the multi-million-dollar contracts given to sports athletes. But what about opera singers? Somehow, people have the idea that artists can be creative only if they suffer in poverty, but this is unrealistic. If artists, including opera singers, lack the support they need, valuable talent is wasted.

Not only the shortage of money, but also the way money is managed in the opera world has led to hardships. Principal (主要的)singers are generally paid performance fees once they complete a show. They typically receive nothing during the many weeks of rehearsal (排练) before a show starts.

Another problem faced by opera is how to meet the demands of audiences who are influenced by popular entertainment. Pop singers are often judged as much on the basis of how they look as how they sound. These demands may be unrealistic and possibly harmful. Opera singers simply cannot make a sound big enough to fill a large theater or concert hall without a microphone if their body weight is too low. Emphasizing physical appearance over singing ability may cause audiences to miss out on the human voice at its best.

There are no easy solutions to opera's problems and there are many different opinions about the value of opera. However, every year many young people register for music courses with hopes and dreams of developing their talents in this special art form. The fact that opera has survived many obstacles and continues to attract the rising generation shows that it remains a respected art form full of value.

1. Which of the statements is TRUE according to the passage?
A.Opera singers' life stories are dramatic.
B.Opera will soon appear on TV and in films
C.Opera fans thank celebrities for performing.
D.Opera develops by adapting to new conditions.
2. What can we know from Paragraphs 2 and 3?
A.Opera singers are financially insecure.
B.Opera singers waste their valuable talent.
C.Opera singers get paid before the show.
D.Opera singers perform better if they are poor.
3. What does the author try to say in Paragraph 4?
A.Popular culture has had a positive influence on opera.
B.Audiences know best how opera should be performed.
C.Microphones should be used to make opera more enjoyable.
D.Opera singers' voices should be valued more than their looks.
4. What would be the best title for this passage?
A.The Economic Challenge to OperaB.Opera Faced with the Difficulties
C.Opera as Part of Popular CultureD.The Historical Context of Opera

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阅读理解-阅读单选(约340词) | 适中 (0.65)
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【推荐1】Starring Yi Yangqianxi and Lei Jiayin, the new series The Longest Day in Chang’an has been one of the biggest pleasant surprises for fans of TV dramas this summer. Its intense story and well-designed costumes and scenery have captured the attention of viewers, earning it high marks on review platforms.

The story takes place during the Lantern Festival in Chang’an, the capital of the Tang dynasty. The leading character Zhang Xiaojing has been sentenced to death. Before the killing, he is appointed by Li Bi, the young chief of the intelligence department, to stop a group of suspected terrorists called the Wolf Squad and protect Chang’an.

One of the main attractions of the drama has been its recreation and presentation of the ancient city of Chang’an.To give viewers the feeling that they are traveling in the city, the show’s director Cao Dun has been making use of single shot scenes that show what the crowded market would have been like during the Lantern Festival in Chang’an. The cast has also been a major draw. They have been an irreplaceable part of the drama. These experienced actors provide the foundation for the drama.

The drama includes some impressive and important plot elements, such as watchtowers in the city that are manned by sharpshooters who can hit any target in their range. The production team even came up with a detailed secret communication system that these watchtowers use to communicate with each other. Another innovation is the use of screen notes to explain terms that the audience would be unfamiliar with, such as the term “bu liang ren”, which the audience may mistakenly think refers to a villain(坏人)in the drama. An explanation appears on the screen to tell the audience that “bu liang ren” are specialists trained to catch evil guys. It’s really helpful.

1. According to paragraph 2, what do we know about Zhang Xiaojing?
A.He ends up being killed by suspected terrorists.
B.He is appointed as chief of the intelligence department by Li Bi.
C.He is still sentenced to life imprisonment though he is innocent.
D.He is chosen to defeat the suspected terrorists though he faces a death sentence.
2. The drama’s director employs the skill of single shot scenes in order to    .
A.make viewers experience the feeling of traveling in the city
B.let the audience have a good trip in Chang’an
C.have the audience understand the history well
D.show what Chang’an is like
3. What does the term “bu liang ren” refer to?
A.The people who are thought to have committed a crime.
B.The people who are expert at arresting bad men.
C.The people who have no family or possessions.
D.The people who are referred to as villains.
4. What is the last paragraph mainly about?
A.The explanation for screen notes.
B.The introduction of the communication system.
C.The innovation elements of the drama.
D.The audience’s assessments of the drama.
2020-10-08更新 | 93次组卷
阅读理解-阅读单选(约340词) | 适中 (0.65)

【推荐2】More than 90 years has passed since Hollywood’s official film organization first proposed plans to build its own museum. Those plans are finally becoming a reality, with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures set to open in 2019.

The project is underway at the site of a historic Los Angeles department store built in 1939. Museum officials say visitors will be able to “experience the magic of cinema” by learning about all parts of the film-making process.

Film historian Kerry Brougher has been named directors of the museum. Brougher says the museum will include 12 million photographs and 80,000 screenplays as well as props (道具), costumes and other objects from famous films. The Academy Museum will also feature Oscar statuettes (小雕像) donated by actors who won the awards.

Brougher says the museum is designed to make visitors feel like they are in a movie, too, with many interactive experiences. “You won’t necessarily know what’s coming next,” he adds. “You’ll be in environments sometimes that make you feel like you’ve gone back to the past and that you’re in the area that you’re actually exploring.” He adds that visitors may even get the chance to walk down a red carpet and accept their own Academy Award.

Currently, Hollywood only has a few possibilities for visitors. They can go along the Walk of Fame and visit movie studios or see the Dolby Theater, where the Oscars are presented. But beyond these, movie fans have limited possibilities.

Eric Garcetti, the mayor of Los Angeles says the Academy Museum will provide visitors the chance to experience many different parts of the film industry all in one place. Garcetti notes the museum will also serve the hundreds of thousands of local people working in film-related businesses. He says they, too, will finally be able to visit a place that celebrates their own Hollywood movie industry.

1. When was the idea of building a museum in Hollywood first put forward?
A.In the 1920s.B.In 1939.
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A.Photos of visitors will be put on display.
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C.Most visitors will be presented an award.
D.Actors will donate much money to the museum.
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A.Supportive.B.Critical.
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4. What is the best title for the passage?
A.The Film-making Process in Hollywood.
B.The Film-making Process of Hollywood.
C.Hollywood Making Plans of Film Museums.
D.Hollywood Getting Its Own Film Museum.
2018-03-26更新 | 108次组卷
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【推荐3】Brave heart is a historical film released in 1995. It was directed by and starred Mel Gibson and was loosely based on the story of 13th-century Scottish leader William Wallace. The movie was a surprise winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture.

After William Wallace’s father and brother are killed in the battle against the English, Wallace is sent to continental Europe to be educated. He returns to Scotland as an adult (played by Gibson) and marries his childhood sweetheart, Murron. When English soldiers try to hurt Murron, Wallace saves her but the soldiers make a second attempt and she is caught and killed. Wallace then leads his family to fight the English troops. He continues to fight to force       the English to leave Scotland, gaining increasing numbers of followers as stories of his brave acts spread.   English King Edward I sends Princess Isabella, his son’s wife, to negotiate with Wallace for peace, but she is charmed by him and becomes his supporter. She warns Wallace of an upcoming attack from the English.

Wallace seeks the support of the Scottish nobles in the fight against the English, but the nobles are hesitating. Robert the Bruce is particularly torn. The Scottish fighters are defeated            by an army led by King Edward I in the Battle of Falkirk. Wallace tries to kill Edward I himself but is stopped by a soldier, who proves to be Robert the Bruce. Robert then saves Wallace from being caught by the English. Later Wallace agrees to meet with Robert in Edinburgh, but Robert’s father and other nobles set a trap and catch Wallace. They hand over Wallace to the English. Wallace refuses to give in and before being killed, he courageously cries out, “Freedom!”

The movie was inspired by a lengthy poem about William Wallace by Blind Harry. It led to an increase of interest in Scottish history, although it contained numerous historical inaccuracies.

1. What can we know from Paragraph 1?
A.The film is made by a Scottish leader.
B.The film is a true story about Mel Gibson.
C.The film is about a war breaking out in 1995.
D.The film is adapted from a real historical story.
2. Which of the following starts Wallace’s fighting against the English?
A.The English troops’ landing in Scotland.
B.His wife’s being killed by the English soldiers.
C.The failure of negotiation with Princess Isabella.
D.His father and brother’s being caught in the battle.
3. What happens to Wallace in the end?
A.He becomes the leader of the Scottish nobles.
B.He drives the English out of Scotland.
C.He dies for Scotland’s independence.
D.He gives in to the English King.
4. What is this text mainly about?
A.A war movie.
B.A Scottish historical hero.
C.A famous battle in history.
D.The independence of Scotland.
2021-02-10更新 | 73次组卷
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