【推荐1】The theatre in Shakespeare’s time was much different than it is today. Authors wrote plays for the masses, especially those who couldn’t read or write.

The theatre changed a lot during Shakespeare’s lifetime. The authorities didn’t like it and didn’t allow acting in the city itself. They thought it had a bad influence on people and kept them from going to church. Queen Elizabeth, on the other hand, loved acting and helped the theatre become popular.

The theatre in Shakespeare’s time was full of life. People did not sit all the time and it was not quiet during the performance. The audience could walk around, eat and drink during the play.

Theaters were open arenas or playhouses that had room for up to three thousand people. There was almost no scenery because the dialogue was the most important part of the play. Colourful and well­designed costumes were very important and told the people about the status of a character. Women never performed in plays, 80 young boys played female characters. The performances took place in the afternoon because it was too dark at night.

There was no stage crew as there is today. Actors had to do everything themselves — from making costumes to setting the stage. Plays were organized by acting companies. They performed about 6 different plays each week because they needed money to survive. They had almost no time to rehearse (排练).

The companies in Shakespeare’s time had a rank system. The company belonged to shareholders and managers. They were responsible for everything and got most of the money when the company was successful. Sometimes they even owned their own buildings. Actors worked for the managers and after some time became a permanent member of the company. Apprentices (学徒) were young boys and were allowed to act in unimportant roles. They also played female characters in plays.

1. Why was the theatre banned by the authorities?

A．It was much different than before.

B．They thought it affected people negatively.

C．They thought it kept people going to church.

D．The queen didn’t like it.

2. What does the underlined word “arenas” in Paragraph 4 mean?

A．Stages.	B．Stores.
C．Companies.	D．Playgrounds.

3. What is the author’s purpose of writing the text?

A．To remember Shakespeare.

B．To show his love of Shakespeare’s plays.

C．To introduce theaters in Shakespeare’s time.

D．To discuss the company’s rank system.

【推荐3】Skip the West End and discover some exciting, theatrical treasures — maybe in a pub or under a railway station — in one of London’s many alternative theatres. If you want to experience the glorious rush of discovering a five-star show in a 50-capacity auditorium, for a £ 10 ticket, off-West End is the way to go.

Theatre 503

Through the always-buzzing Latchmere Pub, up a very narrow staircase, and beyond a dinky foyer (门厅), you will find yourself at Theatre 503. It can hold 63 people at a time, which is a tight squeeze even then. But it’s well worth the intimacy (亲密感) that you’ll necessarily share with your neighbour for the outstanding productions.

King’s Head Theatre

Perhaps the perfect example of London pub theatre, the King’s Head has been in business since the early 1970s. The King’s Head is consistent only in its stubborn refusal to be pigeonholed (归类) or, indeed to be made into anything else. It feels like London theatre’s uncle who still wears ripped jeans and listens to cool music, refusing to give up its idealistic integrity for something perhaps more sensible but far less fun.

Soho Theatre

An institution that hardly needs introducing, Soho Theatre has been at the forefront for new writing and comedy for decades, producing some of the most exciting new talent on the scene today. As the name suggests, the theatre sits in the centre of Soho, and its bar has become a hub for artists and audiences alike.

Vaults Theatre

A truly unique place made up of eleven disused train tunnels below Waterloo station, with an atmosphere all of its own. Not only is Vaults Theatre home to some of the most thrilling immersive and alternative theatre, it’s also leading the way in accessibility, offering a pay-what-you-can ticket price on Wednesday s and Sundays as of Autumn 2022.

1. How long has been King’s Head Theatre in business?

A．About 50 years.	B．Less than 40 years.
C．More than 60 years.	D．More than 70 years.

2. Which is named after its location?

A．Vaults Theatre.	B．King’s Head Theatre.
C．Soho Theatre.	D．Theatre 503.

3. Which of the following made use of old railways?

A．Theatre 503.	B．King’s Head Theatre.
C．Soho Theatre.	D．Vaults Theatre.

【推荐1】Brave Frenchman Found Half-way Around the World
(NEW YORK) A French tourist highly praised for rescuing a two-year-old girl in Manhattan said he didn’t think twice before diving into the freezing East River.
Tuesday’s Daily News said 29-year who left the spot quickly after the rescue last Saturday.
He lifted the little girl out of the water after she fell off the bank at the South Street Scaport museum. He handed the girl to her father ,David Anderson, who had dive in after him.
“I didn’t think at all,”   Duret told the Daily News. “ It happened very fast. I reacted very fast.”
Duret, an engineer on vacation ,was walking with his girlfriend along the pier(码头)when he saw something falling   into the water .He thought it was a doll, but realized it was a child when he approached the river. In an instant ,he took off his coat and jumped into the water.
When he reached the girl, she appeared lifeless, he said . Fortunately, when she was out of the water, she opened her eyes.
Anderson said his daughter slipped off the bank when he was adjusting his camera. An ambulance came later for her, said Duret, who was handed dry clothes from cookers. Duret caught a train with his girlfriend shortly after.
The rescue happened on the day before he left for France. Duret said he didn’t realize his tale of heroism he was leaving the next morning .
“I don’t really think I’m a hero,” said Duret. “Anyone would do the same ting.”
1. why was Duret in NewYork?

A．To meet his girlfriend	B．To work as an engineer
C．To spend his holiday	D．To visit the Andersons.

2. What did duret do shortly after the ambulance came?

A．He was interviewed by a newspaper

B．He asked his girlfriend for his dry clothes

C．He went to the hospital in the ambulance

D．He disappeared from the spot quickly

3. Who divide after duret into the river to save the little girl?

A．David Anderson

B．a passer-by

C．his girlfriend

D．a taxi driver.

4. When was duet most probably found to be the very hero?

A．the day when he was leaving for home.

B．a couple of days after the girl was rescued

C．the first day when he was in New York

D．the same day when he was interviewed.

【推荐2】Former NBA great Tracy McGrady has called for the league to call off the regular season in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic(流行病).

On March 11, the NBA became the first major U.S. league to suspend its season after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert became the first player to test positive for the novel coronavirus. Since then, the COVID-19 outbreak has swept across the U.S.

NBA commissioner(委员) Adam Silver has indicated all options remain on the table, including playing games behind closed doors and isolating players to postponing the start of next season to allow the current campaign to be completed.

McGrady, who spent 16 seasons in the NBA, said: "As a former player, I would be in favor of calling the season off，for I don't have the facilities I need to stay in tip-top shape that I need to be in because everything is closed." Also, he added that even once training facilities re-opened and players could train as usual again, it was going to take them some time to get back to what he described as "basketball shape”.

The only feasible(可行的) solution to get players to be back to full fitness was to allow them to train and then ensure their fitness in a series of exhibition games.

"You just can't jump back into the regular season," McGrady added.

Last week, Silver admitted "there was no clear path ahead" for the NBA to return.

"Based on the reports that we got from varied outside officials, current public health officials ... we are not in a position to make any decisions," the NBA commissioner said in a conference, which followed a video conference meeting with the NBA's board of governors.

"And it's unclear when we will be…”

1. What does the underlined word “suspend” in the second paragraph mean?

A．怀疑.

B．预测.

C．暂停.

D．花费.

2. According to the passage, which one is not a suitable alternative for the NBA players?

A．Play games indoors.

B．Go on playing as usual.

C．Exercise themselves on a regular basis.

D．separate themselves physically from others.

3. It can be inferred from the passage that______.?

A．Tracy McGrady did not support calling the season off.

B．The COVID-19 has not influenced most places of the U.S.

C．The NBA commission will soon make a decision.

D．"basketball shape” is essential to NBA players.

【推荐3】On February 13, 2023, Wu Yibing made history, beating John Isner in a thrilling three-set final at the Dallas Open to become the first man from China to win an ATP title.

Brought to a tennis court for the first time at just five, initially encouraged by his parents as an exercise to lose weight, Wu soon had his talent discovered by his provincial junior team, kicking off a journey that would change the face of men’s tennis in China. In 2017, Wu Yibing shot to prominence after winning the US Open boys’ tournament at 18 to become the first Chinese to win a major junior title, raising high hopes for the “Wonder Boy” to change the fortune of Chinese men in a sport long dominated by women’s success on the pro stage.

In 2018, Wu won his first ATP Challenger title in Shanghai. However, the cruelly competitive nature of men’s pro tennis hit the rising Wu with a tough reminder after multiple injuries — to his elbow, lower back, shoulder and wrist — forced him to be away from the ATP Tour for close to three years.

He made his return last year and won three ATP Challenger titles before qualifying for the US Open. “Looking back, I feel like I wouldn’t have been here if not for the ups and downs over the past few years. I take all the setbacks and struggles as an treasure that helps me mature mentally now,” said Wu. “Of course there were a lot of doubts because I had surgery and the recovery wasn’t going well. The championship today was a payoff for all the hard work and everyone who’s supported me along the way.”

1. What do the underlined words “shot to prominence” in paragraph 2 probably mean?

A．Lost weight.	B．Came back to the top.
C．Became famous instantly.	D．Dropped out of the competition.

2. Why was Wu absent from the ATP Tour for nearly three years?

A．He wanted to change his career.

B．He suffered from serious physical injuries.

C．He didn’t stand out in training for the match.

D．He can’t handle the pressure of the ATP Tour.

3. What can we learn from Wu Yibing’s statement?

A．No cross, no crown.	B．Well begun is half done.
C．More haste, less speed.	D．Time waits for no man.

4. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A．The Development of Chinese Tennis	B．The Power of Difficulties for Athletes
C．The Pioneer of Chinese Tennis Sport	D．The First Chinese Male Winner of ATP Title