For a 400-year-old art form，opera(歌剧) had a bad fame: overweight actresses singing the words which were hard to understand in one of those romance languages you were supposed to learn in high school. And with tickets costing as much as $145 a performance, opera goers also had a certain appearance in people's mind: rich, well-dressed and old.
But now opera companies around the country are loosening their ties and kicking off their shoes in an attempt to keep opera alive and take it to a younger and not so wealthy audience.
Opera producers have found that to attract this crowd, they need to make the opera closer to common people. Because young people don't or won't come to the opera, companies are bringing the opera to them, giving performances in such unusual places as parks, libraries and public schools.
The Houston Grand Opera's choice is the public library, where it performs “mobile operas”, shortened versions(剧本) of child-friendly operas. This summer's production is Hansel ＆Gretel. By performing smaller versions of large productions, producers are able to make people interested while keeping costs at a reasonable level. The San Francisco Opera, which will be celebrating its 75th anniversary(周年) this year, is staging Cinderella free of charge, keeping costs down by employing students from its Young Artists' Training Program.
1. Which is the main idea of this passage？
A. Opera is famous for its long history.
B. Opera is only performed for rich people.
C. Opera companies are trying to keep opera alive.
D. Young people are not interested in opera.
2. The underlined phrase in the second paragraph means __________.
A. breaking up the old rules
B. changing the dresses
C. making the audience at ease
D. advertising themselves
3. From the passage we can infer that __________.
A. the tickets for operas are very expensive
B. operas are performed in a difficult language
C. operas are not so popular an art form today
D. students enjoy performing operas very much
阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的A、B、C和D四个选项中，选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项，并在答题卡上涂黑。
My father enjoys bike riding. Ever since I was little, I’ve always loved going biking with my dad. 41 , as I became a teenager, other things began to draw my 42 . It became important to do things with friends 43 . I saw my dad every evening at home. Why did I have to 44 my Sundays to all-day bike trips with him , too? If my indifference(冷漠) hurt him, my father kept 45 , but he would always let me know when he was planning a bike trip 46 I wanted to come.
It was a Sunday morning, and I was in low 47 . Two of my friends had gone to the movies without inviting me. Just then my father 48 my room. “It’s a beautiful day. Want to go for a 49 today, Beck?” “Leave me alone! ” I impatiently 50 . Those were the last words I said to him before he left the house that 51 .
Several hours later, the police called us, 52 us that Dad had a traffic accident. My father’s injuries were serious. It took several days before he could 53 speak. Beside his bed I held his hand gently, 54 of hurting him.
“Daddy … I’m sorry …”
“It’s OK, sweetheart. I’ll be OK.”
“No,” I said, “I 55 what I said to you that day. You know, that morning?”
“Sweetheart, I don’t 56 anything about that day, not before, during or after the accident. I remember kissing you goodnight the night before, though.” He 57 a weak smile.
I felt regretful for my thoughtless remark, for I 58 wanted him to leave me alone. My teacher once told me that 59 have immeasurable power. They can hurt or they can heal. And we all have the 60 to choose our words. I intend to do that very carefully from now on.
1.A. Therefore B. Instead C. Besides D. However
2.A. attention B. sight C. effort D. energy
3.A. once again B. all of a sudden C. in time D. in place
4.A. start B. save C. devote D. waste
5.A. silent B. busy C. asleep D. awake
6.A. unless B. in case C. so that D. even if
7.A. spirits B. conditions C. emotions D. hopes
8.A. left B. checked C. entered D. knocked
9.A. ride B. walk C. picnic D. game
10.A. whispered B. warned C. announced D. shouted
11.A. moment B. morning C. afternoon D. evening
12.A. convincing B. reminding C. informing D. phoning
13.A. eventually B. generally C. strictly D. broadly
14.A. tired B. afraid C. aware D. sorry
15.A. discuss B. think C. care D. mean
16.A. hate B. forget C. remember D. like
17.A. got B. expressed C. exchanged D. managed
18.A. often B. never C. even D. always
19.A. apologies B. promises C. smiles D. words
20.A. experience B. honor C. power D. desire
The book is superior ________ that one I just finished reading.
A. in B. at C. to D. than
After the flood, the villagers began to ______ and tried their best to rebuild their homeland.
A. look up B. look back C. look around D. look ahead
___________ in charge of the shopping centre has upset him for quite some time.
A. Left B. Being left C. Having left D. To leave
____________money was thrown into the flower girl’s basket.
A. A handful B. A handful of C.A good many D. A good many of
