Question

    When film was first invented in the late 1800s and early 1900s, movie-goers could actually see images of far-away places, like China, and that fueled interest in the area. Throughout history, many Chinese Americans are devoted in this area. Now, the back room of the Formosa Cafe looks like a museum that honors the works of Chinese Americans and their contributions to Hollywood.

Chinese stereotypes（刻板印象）

Stereotypes of the Chinese in America were strengthened by the otherness of U.S. China towns in the late 1800s and early 1900s.There was an idea that the Chinese was the “yellow peril”, who you couldn’t trust. And that resulted in the character called Fu Manchu. Fu Manchu was an evil character who wanted to destroy the western world. He appeared in movies and in a television series. In 1926 , Charlie Chan, a Chinese investigator from Hawaii, appeared for the first time in a movie. This created a different , yet still problematic Asian stereotype.

“Yellow face” actors

Charlie Chan and Fu Manchu may have been Chinese characters, but the actors were usually white men made up to look like Asian. Actors Sidney Toler, Roland Winters and Ross Martin all played Charlie Chan. Yellow face meant they actually yellowed up their skin. White actors just played the lead characters in The Good Earth, a 1937 film about Chinese farmers. Asian actors had parts in the film, but they needed bankable actors , however , there were no Asian American bankable actors.

China factors

Over the years, Asian and Chinese Americans did find work in Hollywood, and a few earned a star on the Hollywood Walk for Fame. Hollywood is also changing the way it presents the Chinese culture. As the biggest market for movies outside the U. S, Hollywood has been making films that will not offend movie goers in China or the country’s government. The industry has been careful not to show the Chinese as evil. Co-productions between Hollywood and Chinese companies put Chinese characters and China in a favorable or satisfactory way.

1.Why is the back room of the Formosa Cafe mentioned?

A.To show appreciation for Chinese American filmmakers.

B.To display the richness of Chinese American films.

C.To attract more customers to enjoy coffee in the Formosa Cafe.

D.To recommend a place to mover goers to learn Chinese American films.

2.What can be known about Charlie Chan?

A.He could be found in a TV series.

B.He was an actor bearing evil reputation.

C.He represented investigators from Hawaii.

D.He wasn’t much appreciated by movie-goers then.

3.What can be concluded about Chinese American films?

A.Chinese actors were preferred in casting Chinese roles.

B.They focused on evil Chinese eager to ruin America.

C.China factors are positively viewed in them.

D.They have been introducing Chinese stereotypes.

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.C

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。本篇介绍了美国电影发展史上的中国元素，突出强调电影中的中国角色，随着时代的变迁已有了根本的改变，中国元素得到美国电影界的尊重。

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