1 . I am an active playgoer and play-reader, and perhaps my best reason for editing this book is a hope of sharing my enthusiasm for the theater with others. To do this I have searched through dozens of plays to find the ones that I think best show the power and purpose of the short play.

Each play has a theme or central idea which the playwright(剧作家) hopes to get across through dialogue and action. A few characters are used to create a single impression growing out of the theme. It is not my intention to point out the central theme of each of the plays in this collection, for that would, indeed, ruin the pleasure of reading, discussing, and thinking about the plays and the effectiveness of the playwright. However, a variety of types is represented here. These include comedy, satire, poignant drama, historical and regional drama. To show the versatility(多面性) of the short play, I have included a guidance play, a radio play and a television play.

Among the writers of the plays in this collection, Paul Green, Susan Glaspell, Maxwell Anderson, Thornton Wilder, William Saroyan, and Tennessee Williams have all received Pulitzer Prizes for their contributions to the theater. More information about the playwrights will be found at the end of this book.

To get the most out of reading these plays, try to picture the play on stage, with you, the reader, in the audience. The houselights dim(变暗). The curtains are about to open, and in a few minutes the action and dialogue will tell you the story.

1. What do we know about the author from the first paragraph?

A．He has written dozens of plays.	B．He has a deep love for the theater.
C．He is a professional stage actor.	D．He likes reading short plays to others.

2. What does the author avoid doing in his work?

A．Stating the plays’ central ideas.	B．Selecting works by famous playwrights.
C．Including various types of plays.	D．Offering information on the playwrights.

3. What does the author suggest readers do while reading the plays?

A．Control their feelings.	B．Apply their acting skills.
C．Use their imagination.	D．Keep their audience in mind.

4. What is this text?

A．A short story.	B．An introduction to a book.
C．A play review.	D．An advertisement for a theater.

2 . When “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” was first shown to the public last month, a group of excited animal activists gathered on Hollywood Boulevard. But they weren’t there to throw red paint on fur-coat-wearing film stars. Instead, one activist, dressed in a full-body monkey suit, had arrived with a sign praising the filmmakers: “Thanks for not using real apes (猿)!”

The creative team behind “Apes” used motion-capture (动作捕捉) technology to create digitalized animals, spending tens of millions of dollars on technology that records an actor’s performance and later processes it with computer graphics to create a final image (图像). In this case, one of a realistic-looking ape.

Yet “Apes” is more exception than the rule. In fact, Hollywood has been hot on live animals lately. One nonprofit organization, which monitors the treatment of animals in filmed entertainment, is keeping tabs on more than 2,000 productions this year. Already, a number of films, including “Water for Elephants,” “The Hangover Part Ⅱ” and “Zookeeper,” have drawn the anger of activists who say the creatures acting in them haven’t been treated properly.

In some cases, it’s not so much the treatment of the animals on set in the studio that has activists worried; it’s the off-set training and living conditions that are raising concerns. And there are questions about the films made outside the States, which sometimes are not monitored as closely as productions filmed in the States.

1. Why did the animal activists gather on Hollywood Boulevard?

A．To see famous film stars.

B．To oppose wearing fur coats.

C．To raise money for animal protection.

D．To express thanks to some filmmakers.

2. What does paragraph 2 mainly talk about?

A．The cost of making “Apes.”

B．The creation of digitalized apes.

C．The publicity about “Apes.”

D．The performance of real apes.

3. What does the underlined phrase “keeping tabs on” in paragraph 3 probably mean?

A．Listing completely.

B．Directing professionally.

C．Promoting successfully.

D．Watching carefully.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph about animal actors?

A．They may be badly treated.

B．They should take further training.

C．They could be traded illegally

D．They would lose popularity.

3 . This is what's known as a 'Buddy' or Friendship Bench'. They're needed because playgrounds can be lonely places sometimes. And these benches can help pupils feeling lonely to find a friend. Benches like this have been around for a while now in some schools. But in Ireland, they are trying to do something a bit different with them.

This school in Cork in the south of Ireland is the 47th to get one from a social enterprise called Buddy Bench Ireland that doesn't just provide schools with benches, it also runs special workshops with trained child psychiatrists. They use the bench as an opportunity to start conversations about mental well-being. They talk about the importance of being aware of your feelings and those of others. The children need to understand what the bench is about, what it symbolizes— friendship, listening to each other and the most important thing is to express feelings.

But do children actually use the bench? It's something an independent academic study has been looking at. We found that 40% of the children told us that they had actually used the benches at the time of the study. And over 90% said that they would talk to a child if that child was sitting on the bench. So, certainly there doesn't appear to be any issues around whether they are properly used. Children's mental health at school is increasingly a concern in many countries. Buddy Bench Ireland is hoping these benches will not only handle issues like social isolation and bullying but also give a future generation the confidence to open up about their feelings. Therefore, they are attempting to make the bench gain high popularity in Ireland schools in a larger scale.

1. Why the school in Cork in the south of Ireland uses the bench?

A．To help children with psychological problems fully recover.

B．To replace the old benches in school.

C．To cut the cost of school's facility.

D．To start conversations about mental well-being.

2. What makes the bench work in Ireland schools?

A．Teachers and parents encourage children to try it.

B．All the children understand what the bench is about.

C．Most children are willing to express feelings.

D．The bench helps children get rid of loneliness.

3. What will Buddy Bench Ireland expect of the bench?

A．It will deal with social isolation and bullying completely.

B．It will motivate a future generation to bravely convey their feelings.

C．It will make children prefer the bench to old one.

D．It will appeal to more students to sit on it.

4. In your opinion, what content will be covered in the following paragraph ?

A．The reasons for the popularity of the bench.

B．The importance of being aware of students’ mental well-being.

C．The concrete approaches to promoting the use of the bench in more schools.

D．The ways to make the bench function effectively.

4 . London Fashion Week will not feature any animal fur clothes or accessories(配饰) on the runway this year, making it the first fur-free major fashion week.

In a statement, the BFC said: "The BFC survey results reflect a cultural change not only based on ideals and choices made by designer businesses, international brands as well as consumer feeling but also encouraged by the attitude of multi-brand stores who are moving away from selling fur.”

There is increasing pressure from anti-fur protesters(抗议者) to ban fur or boycott designers that use the material. During last year's London Fashion Week, there were 250 anti-fur protesters, The Guardian reported, and a show in February saw an activist storm the stage at a Mary Katrantzou show. Following the incident, Mary Katrantzou's team made a statement insisting that the collection was animal fur-free and “only man-made fur was used.”

Ahead of this year's fashion week, set to take place from September 14 to 18, an open letter written by singer Paloma Faith and published by Peta also called for a ban of animal fur.

The letter read: “The BFC shouldn't be approving a material whose production is considered so cruel that it is outlawed in the UK. With the vast number of cutting- edge, eco-friendly man-made furs available on the market today, I'm sure you'll agree that there's no longer any excuse for killing animals for their fur.”

London Fashion Week's fur-free runway follows a similar policy recently adopted by Burberry Design to end the use of fur including rabbit, fox, mink, racoon, and angora wool, as is confirmed by Burberry CEO Marco Gobbetti in an interview with Business of Fashion.

The BFC's news has been met with support from people on social media, who have applauded the designers choosing to give up the use of animal fur.

“I am so excited that fur has been banned from London Fashion Week! Progress!” Faith wrote on Twitter.

Another said: “London Fashion Week is ditching fur and leading the way towards a fur-free future in fashion.”

1. Why are examples of last year's London Fashion show and Mary Katrantzou show in February are given in paragraph 3?

A．To compare the two fashion shows.

B．To prove Mary Katrantzou was wronged.

C．To show pressure from anti-fur protesters.

D．To indicate the popularity of London Fashion Show.

2. Why does Paloma Faith think there is no excuse for killing animals for their fur?

A．It is expensive to kill animals for fur.

B．BFC has banned the use of animal fur.

C．Production of animal fur is illegal in the world.

D．Good Man-made furs are available on the market.

3. What's the ordinary people's attitude towards the first fur-free major fashion week ?

A．Critical.	B．Ambiguous.
C．Favorable.	D．Indifferent.

4. What is the best title of the passage?

A．The BFC reports a cultural change in fashion.

B．London Fashion Week will be fur free this year.

C．Famous singer writes open letter to ban animal fur.

D．Animal fur is sure to be replaced by man-made fur.

5 . Study with Oxford Royale Academy during your Gap Year and prepare for success at university and beyond.

Key Features:

Live and study in Oxford, UK for 10 weeks

Start in September, January or April

Choose your course from a broad range of options

Enjoy academic tutorials (指导课) and independent research

Take part in debating sessions and academic tips

Attend public events at nearby universities

Make new international friends

Course Summary

Students leaving school increasingly welcome some time to decide on their next steps before starting university or entering the workplace. They may choose to take up to a year off to travel, volunteer and explore new horizons. This is also known as a gap year. Those experiences undoubtedly provide valuable opportunities to acquire life skis. However, universes and employers also appreciate evidence of constructive academic development during a gap year. Our 10-wek Gap Year Programmed enables students to achieve both. Our academic focus strengthens their profile (简历) for future university applications or career.

Additional Arrangements

Volunteering

Community Service

Supplementary Study

Expert advice on applying to universities, including support with entrance exams.

Support with the ELTS test-an exam which many international students take ahead of further education.

Careers Guidance

Advice on which career to choose based on your skill set and personality.

Dates

Academic Year 2018-2019

9th September —16th November 2018 (Winter Term)

6th January—15th March 2019 (Spring Term) 24th March-3lst May 2019 (Summer Term)

Fees

Programme	Fees per Term
Gap Year Programme	£13,995 (includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner, welcome pack, textbooks and resources, excursions, graduation certificate and bound copy of extended project)
Equipment Supplement	£1,000 (only applicable to the Future Filmmakers courses to cover costs for the necessary equipment)
Supplementary Study (Optional)	£l,500 per option

1. What’s the goal of the Gap Year Programme?

A．To assist students to study for IELTS.

B．To let students experience a different culture.

C．To provide students with professional training.

D．To get students better prepared for future study or career.

2. What can you do if you attend the Gap Year Programme?

A．Receive career guidance.

B．Get psychological support.

C．Attend lectures at nearby universities.

D．Study in Oxford from September to April.

3. How much do you have to pay at least if you want to study the Future Filmmakers Course?

A．£13,995.	B．£14,995.
C．£16,495.	D．£11,495

6 . On a bright early summer morning, many young swimmers gather at a local swimming pool in the state of Maryland. They are members of a competitive summer swim team, and that’s a regular part of their daily life. As they train and cut seconds off their times, which makes them closer to the championship in the following large-scale (大规模的) competitions, they are getting lots of physical exercise and vitamin D from the sun. However, the benefits of belonging to a sports team are not just honor or health related. You can learn useful life skills.

Paul Waas, coach of the swim team, explains, “The discipline (自制力) comes into play when you’re talking about concentrating on the details that your coaches are saying as it makes you faster rather than going up and down the pool the same way you have every time. When you focus on what you’re doing right and what you can do better, then you’ll see the improvement.”

Besides, there is also responsibility, goals and workings within a group. Again, here is Coach Waas. “It’s really great! It’s so fun to watch from year to year. I’ve had kids who as 7-year-olds on the team could barely pay attention in practice and were only interested in who was going first. Now they’ve come back as 8-year-olds, having set some goals and having things that they want to achieve. These skills can help them a lot.”

But playing the sports is not without harm. Some can be hard on the body. Young athletes suffer serious injuries that follow them into adulthood. Coach Waas says that in fact, swimming is different from most others. First, it poses a lower risk of injury. The second one relates to how swim teams are structured. Actually, children are not the only ones who can benefit. Adults can also benefit from team sports.

1. Why do the swimmers gather at a swimming pool in the early morning?

A．To obtain vitamin D from the sun.	B．To build practical skills for future.
C．To join in a large-scale competitive.	D．To carry out their routine practice.

2. What do Paul Waas’ words imply in paragraph 2?

A．Swimmers should concentrate on details.

B．Members get disciplined and focused in the team.

C．Coaches play a key role in layers’ improvement.

D．Most swimmers enjoy sinning in the same way.

3. What happens to the kids after a year’s training?

A．They are more aware of what to do.	B．They pay less attention to training.
C．They devote more time to practice.	D．They care more about who goes first.

4. What does the author want to convey in the text?

A．Exercise benefits everyone.	B．Swimming is better than other sports.
C．Team sports teach life lessons.	D．Physical exercise should be a habit.

7 . The 1972 Hawaii episodes opened the fourth season of The Brady Bunch, and they have become a beloved part of pop culture. Here are the top places where the Hawaii episodes of The Brady Bunch were filmed.

Sheraton Waikiki

Location: 2255 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

The entrance to the Sheraton Waikiki has not changed all that much. All of its original charm remains. You can even book an ocean-view room like the Brady family would have enjoyed. Be sure to also check out the breathtaking infinity pool.

Halona Blowhole Lookout

Location: 8483 Highway 72, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825

During their tour of Hawaii, the Bradys looked in the wonder at the still-active Halona Blowhole. It's one of Hawaii's many natural wonders. The rock formation and blowhole shoots ocean water spray high into the air when the waves roll in.

Although there are no active volcanoes on Oahu now, their effects on the island linger. The best time to come here is when winds are strong and the tide is high.

View Rabbit Island from Makapu'u Beach Park

Location:41-095 Kalanianaole Highway, Makapu'u Point, Hawaii 96795

The Brady girls enjoyed the view of Rabbit Island. Although it's referred to by its nickname in the episodes, the real name of Rabbit Island is Manana Island. It got its nickname because many rabbits used to inhabit the area. It's now an uninhabited islet on the eastern end of Oahu.

Hula dancing on the Ocean Lawn of the Royal Hawaiian

Location: 2259 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

It's believed that the Brady ladies enjoyed their hula lesson on the Ocean Lawn of the Royal Hawaiian, a luxury collection resort. The ocean Lawn is a great place for a selfie because you can see the ocean, Diamond Head and other beautiful sights in the background.

The Royal Hawaiian does offer hula lessons to guests, but they aren't held on the Ocean Lawn. If you and your family decide to try hula dancing, try not to get your hula skirts mixed up like Alice and Cindy did!

1. Where should you go to enjoy the ocean waves?

A．Sheraton Waikiki.	B．Halona Blowhole Lookout.
C．Rabbit Island.	D．Ocean Lawn.

2. What is special about the Rabbit Island?

A．It has active volcanoes.

B．It has incredible sunrise.

C．It got the name because of rabbits.

D．It has remained the same ever since.

3. What can you do on the Ocean Lawn?

A．To take charming pictures for yourself.

B．To learn hula lessons from the locals.

C．To climb seaside rocks and go fishing.

D．To exchange skirts with others for fun.

8 . Young children are significantly more likely than adults to have their opinions influenced by robots, according to a new research. The study, conducted at the University of Plymouth, compared how adults and children respond to an identical task when in the presence of both their peers（同龄人）and robots.

It showed that while adults regularly have their opinions influenced by peers, something also showed in previous studies, they are largely able to resist being persuaded by robots. However, children aged between seven and nine were more likely to give the same responses as the robots, even if they were obviously incorrect.

The study asks people to look at a screen showing four lines and say which two match in length. When alone, people almost never make a mistake but when doing the experiment with others, they tend to follow what others are saying.

When children were alone in the room in this research, they scored 87% on the test, but when the robots join in their score drops to 75%. And of the wrong answers, 74% matched those of the robot.

The research was led by former Plymouth researcher Anna Vollmer and Professor in Robotics Tony Belpaeme, from the University of Plymouth and Ghent University.

Professor Belpaeme said: “People often follow the opinions of others and we’ve known for a long time that it is hard to resist taking over views and opinions of people around us. But as robots will soon be found in the home and the workplace, we were wondering if people would follow robots. What our results show is that adults do not follow what the robots are saying. But when we did the experiment with children, they did. It shows children can perhaps have more of an affinity（亲和力）with robots than adults, which does give the question: what if robots were to suggest, for example, what products to buy or what to think?”

1. What did the adults do when staying with robots？

A．They totally accept the robots’ suggestions.

B．They generally refused the robots’ effects.

C．They tried to persuade robots to resist them.

D．They usually compared robots with their children.

2. Why did some children made more mistakes in the experiment?

A．Because children were not as clever as adults.

B．Because robots in the presence made such mistakes.

C．Because robots reflected better than human beings.

D．Because children wanted to affect the robots on purpose.

3. What is Professor Belpaeme’s attitude towards the result of the experiment?

A．He is optimistic about the result.	B．He doubts the result of the research.
C．He doesn’t care about the result.	D．He is so worried about the future.

4. What should be followed after the last paragraph?

A．What will we do to teach our children?

B．What will adults do to avoid the problem?

C．What will people do to solve such problems?

D．Why are children influenced by such robots?

9 . Seattle on Sunday became the first major US city to ban drinking straws(吸管), an environmentally friendly move that leaders hope will spark a nationwide conversation about small, everyday changes that people can make to protect the planet.

A decade ago, the city adopted a law requiring that all one-time-use food-service items be compostable(可分解的) or recyclable. But straws were exempted from that law because there were not many good alternatives. So the straws stayed, along with the environmental problems they cause.

Most plastic straws aren’t heavy enough to make it through industrial recycling sorters, and can ruin an otherwise good load of recycling. Or they end up getting blown out of trash cans and car windows and eventually wind up in the oceans, where they can hurt wildlife.

Strawless Ocean estimates that 71 percent of seabirds and 30 percent of turtles have some kind of plastic in their stomachs. The organization says plastic can increase the death rate of marine life by 50 percent.

Now customers at grocery stores, restaurants, food trucks, even institutional cafeterias have to find another way to get liquid into their mouths. Compostable paper straws are allowed under the ban. People who have a medical need to use a straw are not included. 

Failure to obey may result in a US$250 fine, although city leaders said that the purpose of the law is more about raising awareness. In September, 150 businesses participated in Strawless in Seattle, an attempt to reduce the use of plastic straws. In that month alone, Strawless Ocean estimates, 2.3 million plastic straws were removed from the city.

“When you get your iced drink, you’re going to get a straw. When you get your wine, you’re probably going to get a straw,” said Dune Ives, executive director of the Lonely Whale Foundation, which led the campaign. “Imagine a world where we could stop consuming 500 million straws a day, just in America!” the campaign says. “Imagine a world that is less dependent on plastic. That’s change we can start today!”

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

A．To make something out of the list.	B．To make something better than before.
C．To include something in a special list.	D．To forgive someone who makes mistakes.

2. What the problem may the drinking straws cause according to the passage?

A．They may make the trash cans dirty.	B．They may destroy American recycling system.
C．They may cause much ocean wildlife in danger.	D．They may cause many companies get fined.

3. What is the attitude of the public towards the ban?

A．Many people are in favor of it.	B．Many people pay no attention to it.
C．Some people are strongly against it.	D．Only the government workers agree with it.

4. What is the best title for the passage?

A．Seattle becomes first major US city to ban straws.

B．Seattle successfully bans people from using straws.

C．Seattle has been working hard to protect the environment.

D．Imagine a world that is less dependent on plastic.

10 . I work at a company where there are lots of employees. I can’t say that I know them all by name, but I know my fair share of them. I think that almost all of them know me. It is all based on one simple principle: I believe that every single person deserves to be acknowledged, even though it is only a smile or a nod of the head.

When I was about ten years old, I was walking down the street with my mother. She stopped to speak to Mr. Lee. I was busy throwing stones at the stop sign. I knew I could see Mr. Lee any old time around the neighborhood, so I didn’t pay any attention to him. After we passed Mr. Lee, my mother stopped me and said something that has stuck with me from that day until now. She said, “You let that be the last time you ever walk by somebody and not open up your mouth to speak, because even a dog can wave its tail when it passes you on the street.” That phrase sounds simple, but it’s been a guidepost for me and the foundation of who I am.

At work, I always used to say hello to the founder of the company and ask him how our business was doing. But I also spoke to the people who cleaned the buildings and asked how their children were doing. I’ve become vice president, but that hasn’t changed the way I approach people. I still follow my mother’s advice. I speak to everyone I see, no matter where I am. You will realize how powerful it is just to open your mouth and say, “Hello.” I’ve learned that speaking to people creates a pathway into their world, and it lets them come into mine, too.

1. Which of the following can replace the underlined word “acknowledged” in Paragraph 1?

A．Accepted.	B．Thanked.
C．Greeted.	D．Respected.

2. Why did the author ignore Mr. Lee?

A．The author often met him.	B．The author was too busy.
C．The author didn’t like him.	D．The author didn’t know him.

3. What did the author learn from his mother?

A．Everyone should be treated fairly.	B．Speak to everyone you see.
C．Polite behavior is important in your life.	D．Friends may disappear from your life any time.

4. What’s the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To show respect for his mother.	B．To share how to succeed in work.
C．To show how to approach others.	D．To share an important principle.