The Writers’ Strike: Making the Best of the Worst
By now you are probably feeling the effects of the TV writers’ strike—the decision of television writers to stop working. With few new TV shows, I present to you a list of shows available on DVD worth your viewing time to keep you going during this painful period.
Arrested Development is one of the funniest and most clever shows ever to have appeared on network TV. With a most perfect cast, the show sets out to cover the daily happenings of the Bluth family, a group of selfish staff who manage to still put family first.
For more comedy goodness, I recommend one of the sharpest comedies to have ever aired, 30 Rock. Starring Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin, two stars with impressive comic timing, the show gives you a glimpse into the making of a sketch show(幽默短剧), similar to Saturday Night Live, from the funny writers to the self-centered cast all the way up to the boss.
If you are looking for something more serious, or perhaps more juicy, Friday Night Lights might be more to your liking. If you are a fan of football, this show is probably for you. If you are a fan of great drama, both soapy and serious, this show is probably for you. If you are a fan of good-looking people, this show is definitely for you.
If those show were not enough for you, might I recommend a show with a more heart-pounding excitement? The Amazing Race, after twelve seasons, still remains one of the most exciting shows on TV. Teams of two travel the globe with little to no money and experience far-out adventures in an attempt to remain the last team standing.
1.If you are fond of soapy TVshows, you will probably choose to watch ______.
A. Friday Night Lights B. 30 Rock
C. the Amazing Race D. Saturday Night Live
2.From the DVD shows listed above, we can learn that ______.
A. two teams won the amazing race
B. football fans enjoy the Amazing Race
C. the Bluths care about their family though selfish
D. 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live have nothing in common
3.The author writes the passage to tell us that ______.
A. the effects of the TV writers’ strike are great
B. the strike puts TV shows in the worst situation
C. watching DVD is a good choice during the strike
D. we should choose DVD shows according to our tastes
4.The passage is most probably taken from ______.
A. a book review B. a newspaper
C. a film poster D. a DVD menu
阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。
I work as a volunteer for an organizaiton that helps the poor in Haiti. Recently I took my son Barrett there for a week, hoping to 1him.
Before setting out, I told Barrett this trip would be tiring and 2. For the first two days, he said almost nothing. I worried the trip was too 3for a 17-year-old. Then, on day three, as we were 4over high rocky mountains, he turned to me and grinned(咧嘴笑), “Pretty hard.”
After that there was no turning back. A five-year-old girl, wearing a dress several sizes 5large and broken shoes, followed Barrett around, fascinated. He couldn’t stop 6. Later he said 7, “I wish I would speak French.” I was 8—this from a boy who hated and 9French classes throughtout school.
Usually silent, he 10Gaby, our host, and kept asking questions about the country and its people. He blossomed(活泼起来).
11, the moment that really took 12breath away occurred in a village deep in the mountains. I was 13a woman villager for an article. 135 centimeters tall, she was small in figure but strong in 14. Through determination, she had learned to read and write, and 15to become part of the leadership of the 16.
Learning her story, Barrett was as 17as I by this tiny woman’s achievements. His eyes were wet and there was a 18of love and respect on his face. He had finally understood the importance of my work.
When leaving for home, Barrett even offered to stay 19as a volunteer. My insides suddenly felt struck. This 20achieved all I’d expected. Soon he will celebrate his 18th birthday. He’ll be a man.
1.A. comfort B. please C. attract D. educate
2.A. rough B. dangerous C. troublesome D. violent
3.A. little B. much C. fast D. slow
4.A. moving B. running C. climbing D. looking
5.A. too B. very C. even D. so
6.A. joking B. crying C. shouting D. smiling
7.A. patiently B. regretfully C. lightly D. cheerfully
8.A. ashamed B. disappointed C. determined D. surprised
9.A. took up B. went in for C. fought against D. called off
10.A. befriended B. disregarded C. avoided D. recognized
11.A. Thus B. Even C. Meanwhile D. However
12.A. my B. his C. our D. her
13.A. asking B. interviewing C. arranging D. describing
14.A. brain B. wish C. will D. health
15.A. appeared B. struggled C. hesitated D. failed
16.A. village B. city C. organization D. state
17.A. shocked B. bored C. puzzled D. touched
18.A. combination B. composition C. connection D. satisfaction
19.A. in B. behind C. out D. away
20.A. interview B. flight C. article D. trip
There was such long queue for coffee at the interval that we _______ gave up.
A. eventually B. unfortunately C. generously D. purposefully
The little boy slipped into his bedroom quietly _______ he might wake up his mother.
A. so long as B. for fear that C. on condition that D. in order that
A good many cases will be discussed by the students _______ English beginners fail to use the language properly.
A. which B. as C. why D. where
It’s said in some parts of the world, goats, rather than cows, serve as a vital _______ of milk.
A. storage B. source C. reserve D. resource
