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(全体演员), 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 broadcast, 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 Nigth 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 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 shows 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 TV shows, you will probably choose to watch .
A. Friday Night Lights B. 30 Rock
C. the Amazing Race D. Saturday Night Live
2. 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
3. The passage is most probably taken from .
A. a book review B. a newspaper C. a film poster D. a DVD menu
Dior was born in Normandy in 1905, and his family’s original plans for him included a career in the diplomatic service, but by the time he was twenty-three, with his parents’money, he opened a small art gallery in Paris. By 1931, the money had been used up. Dior’s friends in the art gallery, asked him to draw and he took his first step at designing and drawing. His first job was with Lucien Lelong from whom Dior learned his craft（手艺）.
In February,1947, Dior started the New Look in his first major Paris collection. He was backed by a famous textile producer, Boussac, who looked after the dollars, while Dior looked after the fashions. Dior knew nothing about cutting and sewing, but he was good at fashion design.
The New Look started an entirely different look to costume, with a tiny waist, a rounded shoulder and a shapely bust（胸围）, usually with a low-cut neckline and a long full skirt. To women who had lived through the war years, the femaleness of the New look was a great success, for people were tired of tile extremely plain, wartime restrictive fashions.
It is said that dresses by Dior were “constructed like buildings”, but young people were attracted to his design, and all over the western world, manufacturers plunged(投入) into the production of his new style. Dior’s revolutionary designs lighted up a whole cycle of fashion, rounded, gentle, feminine, a delight in elegance. A New Look House of Dior opened in 1948, followed by one in London. Considered as King of Couture（women’s clothing）for years, the Dior empire grew until it covered every country in the western world, and included furs, hosiery, jewelry, perfumes, men’s wear and on and on. More than 1,000 people worked at the Paris headquarters then.
His sudden death in 1957 when he was 53 years old did not stop the growth of the House of Dior. Even now, so many years after his death, his name is closely connected with fashion throughout the world, and indeed is one of the most recognized names in the world, His first, great New Look, with its long skirts was an expression of freedom in the late 1940s.
1. Which of the following designs is close to Dior’s?
A. B. C. D.
2.According to the passage. in Dior’s life, he did NOT___________.
A. make creative fashion designs B. work in a diplomatic service
C. 1earn craft as his first job D. open a New Look House
3. We can infer from the passage that _________.
A. Dior and his supporter had different interests in business
B. Dior’s New Look had little influence on people then
C. Dior is only a brand of women’s fashion
D. Dior’s fashion was not accepted at first
4. What is probably the best title for the passage? .
A. The History of the New Look B. The Growth of the Dior Empire
C. An Expression of Freedom—Dior D.The Founder of the New Look-Dior
When my oldest son was in high school, he planned to attend a Christian contemporary concert with the youth group from our church. To my 36 , Aaron invited me to go along. I 37 accepted; however, by the time the date of the concert arrived, my youngest son had been ill, and I was 38 about him. My husband 39 me to attend the concert, promising he would take care of our youngest. I hesitated.
Finally, it 40 me. Aaron was sixteen years old. How many 41 would I have to do something fun with him 42 he went away to college? And how many youth actually 43 their mothers to attend a concert with them that was clearly for teens? The 44 was made. I would not miss this opportunity.
At the concert, I sat with Aaron in the third row, stuffing (填塞) cotton in my ears to block out the 45 , ear-splitting music of the first performer. I stood when the kids stood, clapped when they clapped, and never let anyone know how 46 I was to feel the floor vibrate (震动) beneath my feet. Aaron and his friends were 47 at my enthusiasm.
By the time we left the concert, my ears were ringing, but it quickly passed. 48 did my son's teenage years. 49 he was in college and away from home. I missed him more than I could say. On days when I was especially 50 for his ready smile and his teasing manner, I would think back to the concert we attended and be thankful once again that I didn't 51 an opportunity to spend time with my son.
Aaron is now grown and has a family of his own, but we are still very __52 __ . Some days he calls just to __53__ and tell me about his day. I drop everything and 54 the moment, knowing these times too shall 55 .
【小题 1】 A. amazement B. agreement C. argument D. disappointment
【小题 2】 A. hardly B. suddenly C. rapidly D. readily
【小题 3】 A. crazy B. merciful C. concerned D. patient
【小题 4】 A. prevented B. encouraged C. stopped D. refused
【小题 5】 A. determined B. hit C. controlled D. annoyed
【小题 6】 A. moments B. years C. festivals D. opportunities
【小题 7】 A. after B. since C.before D. when
【小题 8】 A. advised B. invited C. allowed D. promised
【小题 9】 A. invitation B. design C. decision D. demand
1. A. silly B. loud C. pleasant D. sweet
2. A. nervous B. excited C. curious D. surprised
3. A. puzzled B. annoyed C. disappointed D. amused
4. A. Such B. So C. Neither D. Either
5. A. In no time B. In time C. At a time D. At the time
6. A. tired B. worried C. upset D. lonely
7. A. miss B. have C. obtain D. grasp
8. A. open B. close C. young D. positive
9. A. talk B. speak C. communicate D. chat
10. A. wait B. enjoy C. listen D. spend
11. A. lose B. gain C. pass D. keep
_____________ late, but also he forgot his books.
A. Not only did he turn up B. Not only he turned up
C. Not only did he turn out D. Not only he turned out
children believe they can succeed, they will never become totally independent．
A. If B. Though C. Unless D. When
The climate conference was attended by 11,000 people, it the largest UN gathering ever held.
A. making B. to make C. made D. to be making
