Question

    This is what HBO’s Veep has been trying to do—by making US presidential election into a comedy.

Presented for the first time in 2012, Veep follows the daily life of Selina Meyer, the fictional vice-president (or “Veep” for short) of the US. We see that as much as Meyer wants to have an influence, she—despite being the second-in-command of the country—is constantly ignored by the president and kept away from important meetings. Meyer herself isn’t exactly competent: she has to put out political fires every once in a while but usually ends up making things worse.

The show also finds humor in a much darker side of politics: the unreal smiles and wrongdoings of politicians. When a mass shooting happens in the show, for example, instead of feeling shocked, Meyer is actually glad, because she feels it may help draw people’s attention from her. “It feels like peeking (窥视) behind a curtain and seeing the truth of who these politicians really are,” wrote reporter Kathryn VanArendonk.

But Veep is refreshing not just for the way it handles politics, but also because its leading role is a woman politician, especially in a comedy, considering the fact that comedies used to be an all-male kingdom. “There’s more opportunity (机会) for women in comedic roles than 20 or 30 years ago,” Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 58 this year, who plays Meyer, said. “There’s more opportunity for roles that are not just the angry wife or the cute girlfriend.”

In the 7th and final season of Veep, which came out on March 31, 2019, Meyer is finally running for president. No matter where the show—and Meyer—is heading, and whether you appreciate its way to deal with politics, the bottom line here is that Veep is funny.

1.Which of the following best describes Meyer?

A.Hardworking and demanding. B.Humorous and influential.

C.Ambitious but untalented. D.Educated but lazy.

2.How old was Julia Louis Dreyfus when Veep’s first season came out？

A.49. B.51.

C.53. D.58.

3.What can know about women according to Julia Louis ---Dreyfus?

A.They are fit for politics.

B.They don’t like comedies.

C.They were left out of some fields.

D.They seldom used to be successful.

4.What is the best title for the text?

A.Meyer runs for president B.Politics can be funny

C.Women like power D.A comedian realizes her dream

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.C

4.B

【解析】

本文是一篇应用文。是一篇剧评，政治可以很有趣 —— 或者至少很好玩。这正是HBO出品的美剧《副总统》试图做到的一点 —— 让美国总统大选成为喜剧。

1.推理判断题。根据文章第二段We see that as much as Meyer wants to have an influence和Meyer herself isn’t exactly competent:可知，身为副手的梅耶想要有所作为，但梅耶的自身能力并不强。所以推断出梅耶有抱负但无天赋。故选C。

2.细节理解题。根据文章第二段Presented for the first time in 2012, Veep follows the daily life of Selina Meyer, the fictional vice-president (or “Veep” for short) of the US.和第四段Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 58 this year, who plays Meyer,和最后一段In the 7th and final season of Veep, which came out on March 31, 2019可知，美剧《副总统》于2012年首播，梅耶扮演者茱莉亚·路易斯-德瑞弗斯现年58岁，《副总统》第七季也是最后一季于2019年3月31日播出，从而可以计算出茱莉亚·路易斯-德瑞弗斯在第一季播出时51岁。故选B。

3.推理判断题。根据文章第四段“There’s more opportunity for women in comedic roles than 20 or 30 years ago,” Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 58 this year, who plays Meyer, said. “There’s more opportunity for roles that are not just the angry wife or the cute girlfriend.”茱莉亚·路易斯-德瑞弗斯认为，相比二三十年前，现在有更多的机会让女性出演喜剧角色。从而可知，在过去，喜剧角色大多数是男性的王国，女性扮演喜剧的角色被排除在外。故选C。

4.主旨大意题。根据文章第一段This is what HBO’s Veep has been trying to do—by making US presidential election into a comedy.及全文内容可知，政治可以很有趣 —— 或者至少很好玩。这正是HBO出品的美剧《副总统》试图做到的一点 —— 让美国总统大选成为喜剧。故选B。