1 . Dear Mr Expert,

I grew up in an unhappy and abusive home. I always promised myself that I’d get out as soon as possible.

Now, at age 20, I have a good job and a nice house, and I’m really proud of the independence I’ve achieved.

Here’s the problem: several of my friends who still live with their parents wish they had places like mine so much so that they make mine theirs.

It started out with a couple of them spending the weekends with me. But now they seem to take it for granted (认为理所当然) that they can show up any time they like. They bring boyfriends over, talk on the phone and stay out forever.

I enjoy having my friends here sometimes it makes the place feel comfortable and warm but this is my home, not a party house. I am old enough to move out on my own, so why can’t I seem to ask my friends to respect my privacy (隐私)?

Joan

Dear Joan,

If your family didn’t pay attention to your needs when you were a child, you probably have trouble letting others know your needs now.

And if you’ve gathered your friends around you to rebuild a happy family atmosphere, you may fear that saying no will bring back the kind of conflict you grew up with or destroy the nice atmosphere you now enjoy. You need to understand that in true friendship it’s okay to put your own needs first from time to time.

Be clear about the message you want to send. For example, “I really love your company but I also need some privacy. So please call before you come over.”

Edward

1. We can infer from the first letter that      .

A．Joan considers her friends more important than her privacy

B．Joan’s friends visit her more often than she can accept

C．Joan doesn’t like the parties at all

D．Joan dislikes the boyfriends her friends bring over

2. According to Mr Expert, why can’t Joan tell her friends her feelings?

A．She is afraid of hurting her friends.	B．She does not understand true friendship.
C．Her family experience stops her from doing so.	D．She does not put her needs first.

3. The underlined word “conflict” in the second letter means      .

A．dependent life

B．fierce fight

C．bad manners

D．painful feeling

2 . He explained the a_________ word to the children with a concrete story.

3 . Food shortages were w_____ in the area after the earthquake hit it.

4 . The students can express a _________ (偏好) for the school they are to attend.

5 . Earthquakes happen when _____(压力) in rock are suddenly released as the rocks break.

6 . Large numbers of young people have _____(涌入) into the area in search of jobs.

7 . 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.

8 . OPENINGS AND PREVIEWS

Animals Out of Paper

Yolo！Productions and the Great Griffon present the play by Rajiv Joseph, in which an origami(折纸术) artist invites a teenage talent and his teacher into her studio. Merri Milwe directs. In previews. Opens Feb. 12. (West Park Presbyterian Church, 165 W. 86th St. 212-868-4444.)

The Audience

Helen Mirren stars in the play by Peter Morgan, about Queen Elizabeth II of the UK and her private meetings with twelve Prime Ministers in the course of sixty years. Stephen Daldry directs. Also starring Dylan Baker and Judith Ivey. Previews begin Feb. 14.(Schoenfeld, 236 W. 45th St. 212-239-6200.)

Hamilton

Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote this musical about Alexander Hamilton, in which the birth of America is presented as an immigrant story. Thomas Kail directs. In previews. Opens Feb. 17.(Public, 425 Lafayette St. 212-967-7555.)

On the Twentieth Century

Kristin Chenoweth and Peter Gallagher star in the musical comedy by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, about a Broadway producer who tries to win a movie star’s love during a cross-country train journey. Scott Ellis directs, for Roundabout Theatre Company. Previews begin Feb. 12.(American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St. 212-719-1300.)

1. What is the play by Rajiv Joseph probably about?

A．A type of art.	B．A teenager’s studio.
C．A great teacher.	D．A group of animals.

2. Who is the director of The Audience?

A．Helen Mirren.	B．Peter Morgan.
C．Dylan Baker.	D．Stephen Daldry.

3. Which play will you go to if you are interested in American history?

A．Animals Out of Paper.	B．The Audience.
C．Hamilton.	D．On the Twentieth Century.

9 . We should think hard ________ human activity has caused greenhouse effect.

A．it is how that	B．how it is that
C．that how is it	D．how is it that

10 . All the students are looking forward to the first________to take the College Entrance Examinations.

A．measure

B．purpose

C．attempt

D．desire