1 . A series of books in Chinese and English covering eight classic works of Peking Opera recently released, with the aim of revealing details about the art form in a direct way.

The bilingual (双语的) books are from the Translation Series of a Hundred Jingju Classics, a project originated from 2011, which is part of the effort by the central government to promote Chinese culture overseas.

Peking Opera, with its complex and colorful costumes and make-up, as well as the unique performance combining singing, dialogue, acting and acrobatics (杂技), has become a symbol of traditional Chinese culture. Over the last 200 years, more than 1, 000 Peking Opera shows have been produced telling the most classic historical stories in China, as well as giving glimpses of society, according to Wang. The art form was listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (非物质文化遗产) by UNESCO in 2010. Famous performers such as Mei Lanfang and Cheng Yanqiu have also taken Peking Opera abroad. And though foreign fans are impressed by it, few understand the stories told on stage.

To help foreigners understand the art form better, Sun Ping, dean, School of Art, Beijing Foreign Studies University, and her team have edited the new books. Different from previous English translations of books that mostly covered the scripts (剧本) of Peking Opera plays, the new series introduces nearly all aspects of the art form, including the script, actors and actresses, performance skills, musical instruments and costumes, according to Sun, who is herself a highly regarded Peking Opera artist.

“It fills the blank in overseas promotions of Peking Opera,” says Liu Jian, a professor at the National Academy of Chinese Theater Arts. “The inheritance and promotion of Peking Opera are very important. In a sense, promotion is even more important. The project sets a good example.”

Scott Ian Rainen, an expert from the United States, who works at China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration, says he was happy to read the new books. Foreigners often don’t understand the plot in a Peking Opera play, but the books introduce the cultural and historical background, its character modeling, costumes and props, artistic theories and so on.

1. Why are the set of bilingual books released?

A．To stress the importance of Peking Opera.

B．To attract foreigners to learn Peking Opera.

C．To promote the diversity of Peking Opera.

D．To present Peking Opera more effectively.

2. What is the third paragraph mainly about?

A．The advantage of learning Peking Opera.

B．The brief introduction of Peking Opera.

C．The benefits of releasing these bilingual books.

D．The reason for people’s attachment to Peking Opera.

3. What’s special about these translations of books?

A．They cover stories about Peking Opera.

B．They share a more significant art value.

C．They are better in covering the scripts of Peking Opera.

D．They are overall in showing the features of Peking Opera.

4. What is Scott lan Rainen’s attitude towards the new project?

A．Subjective.

B．Sceptical.

C．Positive.

D．Tolerant.

2 . 阅读下面短文, 在空白处填入1个恰当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

A New Shaoxing Opera Show Has a Modern Twist

In a     1     (special) designed studio theater in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, a captivating world of jianghu is brought to life through a Shaoxing Opera performance.

Six actresses, playing roles from a spirited landlady to skilled swordsmen, spies, and soldiers, deliver a fascinating show     2     (last) 130 minutes. The audience sits very close to the performers, engaging with them and immersing themselves in     3     unique viewing experience.

    4     (adapt) from the 1992 classic wuxia film of the same name, New Dragon Gate Inn, the Shaoxing Opera show successfully captures the interest of a younger audience. Environmental theater changes the relationship between the audience and the stage.     5     (like) the traditional framed stage, the theater is designed as an inn, with the audience becoming more like     6     (guest). According to Xu Yena,     7     acts in the show as Jin Xiangyu, having the audience closer to the cast allows them to appreciate the finer details.

The performers     8     (design) many improvised interactions with the audience since they began to perform, making each performance unique. “Today, we are putting in great efforts to make Shaoxing Opera more     9     (access) and relatable to the younger generation,” Xu added. “This is with the hope     10     operas can become a lifestyle.”

3 . Following are this week (November 15-21)’s best home entertainment programs: from Sorry for Your Loss to The Cry!

Dancing Queen

Considering how many outstanding dancing queens appear on RuPaul’s Drag Race each season, it’s strange that so few have been given their own series. Correcting that is this reality show centred on a dance studio for teen girls run by Justin Johnson, AKA season five queen Alyssa Edwards. Expect battles with pushy mums and exciting moments for Johnson’s beginners.

Tuesday 16 November, 8pm, Netflix

The Cry

Following Bodyguard in BBC One’s Sunday evening drama slot (栏目) is a tall order for any show. That honour has fallen to this new drama starring Jenna Coleman as a new mother whose trip to Australia ends in a disastrous tragedy. Trauma (创伤) and truth follow.

Friday 19 November, 9pm, BBC One

The Apprentice

Some of Alan Sugar’s early Apprentices must be approaching retirement age by now. But never fear, it seems there’s always a lot of business people willing to compete for the chance to win a working lifetime of it.

Sunday 21 November, 8pm, ITV

Sorry for Your Loss

You read that right: Facebook enters peak-era TV with this Elizabeth Olsen-starring comedy about a woman dealing with her husband’s passing away. As that introduction suggests, it’s tightly written with strong twists and turns from Olsen and The Last Jedi’s Kelly Marie Tran as her sister. Plus, in keeping with this week’s Guide, all of it is free!

Monday 15 November, 9pm, Facebook Watch

1. If you are a big fan of Jenna Coleman, you can watch ______.

A．Sorry for Your Loss

B．The Cry

C．The Apprentice

D．Dancing Queen

2. Which channel will you turn to if you only have time on November 21?

A．Netflix.

B．ITV.

C．BBC One.

D．Facebook Watch.

3. Which word can probably be used to describe Sorry for Your Loss?

A．Interesting.

B．Encouraging.

C．Educational.

D．Frightening.

4 . The Best Free Movies on Amazon Prime Video

Here are some of the best free movies on Amazon Prime Video, sorted out for convenience.

Honey Bay

Written by Shia LaBeouf based on his own experiences of growing up, Honey Boy is a surprisingly heartfelt and influential movie. Describing the life of a former child actor who is addicted to alcohol, this semi-autobiographical work offers profound insight into the pain and pressure of a man forced to evolve in the public eye.

The Avengers

Start your hero’s journey all over again by rewatching the first Avengers movie. Of course, Disney has the most Marvel movies of any streaming service, so if you want to do a marathon, that’s the place to start. But if you didn’t subscribe to anything there and just want to relive the Baule of Neu York, then this is a great opportunity.

Eighth Grade

Director Bo Burnham and star Elsie Fisher timelessly reflected on growing up in this work. An occasionally painful yet consistently spectacular story told a 13-year-old girl’s final week of middle school, a chance to t the record straight and reimagine her future high school sell.

The Farewell

The star Awkwafina delivers an amazing performance in writer-director Lulu Wang’s attractive story of a granddaughter saying goodbye to her grandmother. Played by Zhao Shu-zhen, a mixture of comedy and heartbreak. The Farewell touches on timeless themes of pity and grief in a way that is both clever and moving.

1. Who wrote a film story according to his own life?

A．Shia LaBeouf.

B．Bo Burmham.

C．Elsie Fisher.

D．Awkwafina.

2. Which movie will be preferred by a hero story fan?

A．Honey Boy.

B．The Farewell.

C．Eighah Grade.

D．The Arengers.

3. What do we know about Eighth Grade?

A．A teenager’s school life.

B．A girl breaking a world record.

C．An old lady remembering her high school.

D．A granddaughter saying goodbye to her grandmother.

5 . 阅读下面材料，在空白处填入适当的内容（1个单词）或括号内单词的正确形式。

The Chinese film “The Battle(战役) at Lake Changjin” tells the story of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army taking part     1    the war to help Korea(朝鲜)fight against the U.S. aggression (侵略). Jointly     2     (direct) by three big names in Chinese film industry-- Chen Kaige, Xu ke and Lin Chaoxian, the film was a great     3     (succeed) in the National Holiday period. Actors     4     play leading roles in the film include Wu Jing, Hu Jun, Duan Yihong and so on.

In the movie, the Chinese army men fought    5     (brave) in temperatures below 40℃ in a key battle around Changjin Lake. Viewers said it was not the film itself that moved people, but the     6     (hero) of the war years who fought for our country and people, without considering     7     (they) own safety or even lives.

It is reported     8     since it was shown on September 30th , the total box office (票房)     9     (reach)the top of China’s box office, breaking the box office record of history in Chinese war films. With the great achievements in film industry, people are looking forward to     10     (see) more wonderful films in the future.

6 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

China’s latest war epic The Battle at Lake Changjin has rocketed to     1     top of China’s box office during the opening days of the country’s long National Day holiday period.

The film     2     (release) on Thursday and had already earned approximately $82 million by 6 p.m. local time Friday, according to local ticketing app Maoyan, which projects the film will finish its run with a total     3     well over $500 million. China’s National Day holiday period stretches over the Oct. 1-7 period and is     4     (typical) one of the country’s biggest box office windows of the year.

The     5     (power) start all but assures that The Battle at Lake Changjin will emerge as the weekend’s biggest earner at the worldwide box office,     6     (beat) MGM’s much anticipated Bond installment No Time to Die,     7     is forecast to pull in $80 million to $100 million from more than 50 global     8     (market). Battle at Lake Changjin will easily top $150 million from just one market — China.

    9     (produce) by Bona Film Group and state-backed film companies Shanghai Film Group and Huaxia, The Battle at Lake Changjin is believed     10     (be) China’s most expensive film ever made, with a production budget of over $200 million.

7 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

    1     (date) back to the middle period of the Qing Dynasty, Beijing Opera includes a    2     (various) of kinds of arts, ranging from literature, dance    3     kung fu. Its way of performing is different from opera and drama.     4     (actual), Beijing Opera has its own characters.

Beijing Opera is a kind of art    5     pays equal attention to singing, speaking, acting and fighting. It tends     6     (inspire) the audience by language, music and fine arts.

Meanwhile, Beijing Opera provides people     7     (interest) in it with the opportunity to appreciate the pleasing artistic balance of dance, strength and music, even only one act.

Mei Lanfang is one of the best-known opera    8     (artist) of China. Not only did he have a talent for the art, but also he was very hard-working. It is said that he would spend several hours staring at the fish in the water to make his eyes more attractive. In my opinion, his success is the    9     (reflect) of the proverb - chance favors the prepared. Beijing Opera is a symbol of China.     10    , we Chinese all have the responsibility to preserve it.