1 . Theatres and Entertainment

St David’s Hall

St David’s Hall is the award winning National Concert Hall of Wales standing at the very heart of Cardiff’s entertainment centre. With an impressive 2,000-seat concert hall, St David’s Hall is home to the annual Welsh Proms Cardiff. It presents live entertainment, including pop, rock, folk, jazz, musicals, dance, world music, films and classical music.

The Hayes, Cardiff CF10 1AH
www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk
The Glee Club

Every weekend this is “Wales” premier comedy club where having a great time is the order for both audiences and comedy stars alike. It is hard to name a comedy star who hasn’t been on the stage here. If you are looking for the best comedies on tour and brilliant live music, you should start here.

Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff CF10 5BZ
www.glee.co.uk/cardiff
Sherman Cymru

Sherman Cymru’s theatre in the Cathays area of Cardiff reopened in February 2012. This special building is a place in which theatre is made and where children, artists, writers and anyone else have the opportunity (机会) to do creative things. Sherman Cymru is excited to present a packed programme of the very best theatre, dance, family shows and music from Wales and the rest of the world.

Senghennydd Road, Cardiff CF24 4YE
www.shermancymru.co.uk
New Theatre

The New Theatre has been the home of quality drama, musicals, dance and children’s shows for more than 100 years. Presenting the best of the West End along with the pick of the UK’s touring shows, the New Theatre is Cardiff’s oldest surviving traditional theatre. Be sure to pay a visit as part of your stay in the city.

Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3LN
www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
1. Where is the Welsh Proms Cardiff hosted?

A．At the New Theatre.	B．At the Glee Club.
C．At Sherman Cymru.	D．At St David’s Hall.

2. What can people do at the Glee Club?

A．Watch musicals.	B．Enjoy comedies.
C．See family shows.	D．Do creative things.

3. Which website can you visit to learn about Cardiff’s oldest surviving theatre?

A．www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk	B．www.shermancymru.co.uk
C．www.glee.co.uk/cardiff	D．www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

2 . In the mid-1990s, Tom Bissell taught English as a volunteer in Uzbekistan. He left after seven months, physically broken and having lost his mind. A few years later, still attracted to the country, he returned to Uzbekistan to write an article about the disappearance of the Aral Sea.

His visit, however, ended up involving a lot more than that. Hence this book, Chasing the Sea: Lost Among the Ghosts of Empire in Central Asia, which talks about a road trip from Tashkent to Karakalpakstan, where millions of lives have been destroyed by the slow drying up of the sea. It is the story of an American travelling to a strange land, and of the people he meets on his way: Rustam, his translator, a lovely 24-year-old who picked up his colorful English in California, Oleg and Natasha, his hosts in Tashkent, and a string of foreign aid workers.

This is a quick look at life in Uzbekistan, made of friendliness and warmth, but also its darker side of society. In Samarkand, Mr Bissell admires the architectural wonders, while on his way to Bukhara he gets a taste of police methods when suspected of drug dealing. In Ferghana, he attends a mountain funeral(葬礼)followed by a strange drinking party. And in Karakalpakstan, he is saddened by the dust storms, diseases and fishing boats stuck miles from the sea.

Mr Bissell skillfully organizes historical insights and cultural references, making his tale a well-rounded picture of Uzbekistan, seen from Western eyes. His judgment and references are decidedly American, as well as his delicate stomach. As the author explains, this is neither a travel nor a history book, or even a piece of reportage. Whatever it is, the result is a fine and vivid description of the purest of Central Asian traditions.

1. What made Mr Bissell return to Uzbekistan?

A．His friends' invitation.	B．His interest in the country.
C．His love for teaching.	D．His desire to regain health.

2. What does the underlined word “that” in paragraph 2 refer to?

A．Developing a serious mental disease.

B．Taking a guided tour in Central Asia.

C．Working as a volunteer in Uzbekistan.

D．Writing an article about the Aral Sea.

3. Which of the following best describes Mr Bissell's road trip in Uzbekistan?

A．Romantic.

B．Eventful.

C．Pleasant.

D．Dangerous.

4. What is the purpose of this text?

A．To introduce a book.	B．To explain a cultural phenomenon.
C．To remember a writer.	D．To recommend a travel destination.