Tens of thousands of theatre tickets will be given away to young people next year as part of a government campaign to inspire a lifelong love for theatre.
The plan to offer free seats to people aged between 18 to 26-funded with £2.5 million of taxpayers’ money-was announced yesterday by Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary.It received a cautious welcome from some in the arts world, who expressed concern that the tickets may not reach the most underprivileged.
The plan comes as West End theatres are enjoying record audiences, thanks largely to musicals teaming up with television talent shows.Attendances reached.13.6 million in 2007, up 10 percent on 2006, itself a record year.Total sales were up 18 percent on 2006 to almost £470 million.
One theatre source criticised the Government’s priorities(优先考虑的事)in funding free tickets when pensioners were struggling to buy food and fuel, saying:“I don’t know why the Government’s wasting money on this.The Yong Vic, as The Times reported today, offers excellent performances at cheap prices.”
There was praise for the Government’s plan from Dominic Cooke of the Royal Court Theatre, who said:“I support any move to get young people into theatre, and especially one that aims to do it all over England, not just in London.”
Ninety-five publicly funded theatres could apply for funding under the two-year plan.In return, they will offer free tickets on at least one day each week to 18 to 26-year-olds, first-come, first-served.It is likely to be on Mondays, traditionally a quiet night for the theatre.
Mr.Burnham said:“A young person attending the theatre can find it an exciting experience, and be inspired to explore a new world.But sometimes people miss out on it because they fear it’s ‘not for them’.It’s time to change this perception.”
Jeremy Hunt, the Shadow Culture Secretary, said:“The real issue is not getting enthusiastic children into the theatre, but improving arts education so that more young people want to go in the first place.For too many children theatres are a no-go area.”
(1)
Critics of the plan argued that ________.
[ ]
A.
the theatres would be overcrowded
B.
it would be a waste of money
C.
pensioners wouldn’t get free tickets
D.
the government wouldn’t be able to afford it
(2)
According to the supporters, the plan should ________.
[ ]
A.
benefit the television industry
B.
focus on producing better plays
C.
help increase the sales of tickets
D.
involve all the young people in England
(3)
Which of the following is TRUE about the plan?
[ ]
A.
Ninety-five theatres have received funding.
B.
Everyone will get at least one free ticket.
C.
It may not benefit all the young people.
D.
Free tickets are offered once every day.
(4)
We can infer from the passage that in England ________.
[ ]
A.
many plays are not for young people
B.
many young people don’t like theatre
C.
people know little about the plan
D.
children used to receive good arts education
(5)
According to the passage, the issue to offer free tickets to young people seems ________.
● Seven nights'accommodation at the 3-star Hotel Nice
● Breakfast
●
The service of guides
● Government taxes
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.A single room, another¥2,000.A group of ten college students, ¥10,000 for each.
Like to know more?Telephone Newmarket Air Holidays Ltd on
:0845-226-7788(All calls charged at local rates).
(1)
All the following are included in the price of ¥12
,000 EXCEPT ________.
[ ]
A.
transport between the airport and the hotel
B.
telephone calls made by tourists
C.
the service of guides to tourists
D.
double rooms for every two tourists
(2)
If you don
't like sharing a room with others, you have to pay ________.
[ ]
A.
¥12,000
B.
¥10,000
C.
¥2,000
D.
¥14,000
(3)
If you like to visit historical sites, which of the following is your best choice?
[ ]
A.
Amalfi.
B.
Sant' Agata.
C.
Pompeii.
D.
Sorrento.
(4)
Who is the advertisement intended for?
[ ]
A.
Potential tourists.
B.
College students.
C.
Quiet people.
D.
Old people.
阅读理解
Below is a web page from http://www.tvguide.com/.
Tonight's TV Hot List:Sunday January 31, 2010
Grammy Awards 8/7c CBS
Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are ready to take home a lot of hardware tonight as they lead all artists with 10 and eight nominations.The ladies also perform, along with fellow Album of the Year nominees the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga and the Dave Matthews Band.In addition, Bon Jovi, Green Day, Lady Antebellum, Maxwell, Pink and Zac Brown Band will also take the stage.But perhaps the most expected moment is the Michael Jackson tribute(吊唁礼物), which features the 3-D mini-movie "Earth Song" and will be highlighted by performers Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood and Usher.
Maurer 9/8c NBC
A mysterious company named Sabre, headed by an attractive, stubborn CEO(Kathy Bates), appears out of nowhere and buys out(买断股份)Dunder Mifflin.As Michael is unwilling to follow Sabre's new policies, Andy and Erin write a welcome song to greet the company.Meanwhile, Pam and Jim hope to get accepted into a desired local day-care center.
Surviving Survivor 8/7c CBS
It's hard to believe it's been 10 years since the first season of Survivor.But tonight ten of the game's most iconic players, including previous winners Richard Hatch, Parvati Shallow and Tom Westman, discuss the series in detail and provide insights into how the game is actually played and the impact it's had on their lives.In addition, updates on beloved former castaways, like Ethan Zohn, Rupert Boneham and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, are given.
Private Practice 10∶01/9∶01c ABC
So Maya's pregnant and wants to have the baby.What to do now? Dink(Stephen Lunsford), the boy who did his part to get her into this mess, has a solution:He wants to marry her.You can imagine how Sam and Naomi will feel about that.And if that won't raise the histrionic level enough for you, how about this:A couple has two dying daughters, and only one can be saved.Their choice.And Brian Benben is back, so expect more Pete-Violet- Sheldon angst.
(1)
Edna is crazy about pop stars, so she will most likely choose ________ to enjoy.
[ ]
A.
Grammy Awards
B.
Maurer
C.
Surviving Survivor
D.
Private Practice
(2)
From the passage, we can learn that Dunder Mifflin is ________.
[ ]
A.
a CEO
B.
a company
C.
an employee in the company
D.
a piece of office equipment
(3)
According to the passage, Surviving Survivor is most probably ________.
[ ]
A.
a musical play
B.
a game show
C.
a love story
D.
a cultural documentary
(4)
The above programs ________.
[ ]
A.
are loved by all viewers
B.
are on the top list for the week
C.
are broadcast on the same channel
D.
are accessible on the same night
阅读理解
A few days ago I asked my son's governess(女家庭教师)Julia to come into my study.“Be seated, Julia,”I said, “Let's settle our accounts.I guess you most likely need some money, but maybe you're too polite to mention it.Now then, we agreed on thirty dollars a month…”
“Forty.”
“No, thirty.I made a note of it.I always pay our governess thirty.Well, um, you've been here two months, so…”
“Two months and five days.”
“Exactly two months.I made a special note of it.That means you have sixty dollars coming to you.Take off nine Sundays…you know you didn't work with Tom on Sundays, you only took walks.And three holidays…”Julia was biting her finger nail nervously, her face red, but-not a word.
“Three holidays, therefore take off twelve dollars.Four days Tom was sick and there were no lessons, as you were occupied(从事)only with Dick.Three days you had a toothache and my wife gave you permission not to work after lunch.Twelve and seven-nineteen.Take nineteen off…that leaves…hmm…forty one dollars.Correct?”
Julia's left eye reddened with tears welling up.Her chin trembled; she coughed nervously and blew her nose, but-still not a word.
“Around New Year's Day you broke a teacup and a saucer; take off two dollars.The cup cost more, it was a treasure of the family, but - forget it.When didn't I take a loss! Then, due to your neglect(疏忽), Tom climbed a tree and tore his jacket; take away ten.Also due to your carelessness the maid stole Dick's shoes.You ought to watch everything! You get paid for it.So, that means five more dollars off.The tenth of January I gave ten dollars.”
“You didn't.” sobbed Julia.
“But I made a note of it.”
“Well…if you say so.”
“Take twenty seven from forty one-that leaves fourteen.”
Both her eyes were filled with tears.Beads of sweat stood on the thin pretty little nose.Poor girl!
“Only once was I given any money,” she whispered, her voice trembling, “and that was by your wife.Three dollars, nothing more.”
“Really? You see now, and I didn't know that! Take three from fourteen-that leaves eleven.Here's your money, my dear.Three, three, three, one and one.Here it is!”
I handed her eleven dollars.She took them and pocketed them.
“Merci(法语:谢谢),”she whispered.
I jumped to my feet and started pacing the room.I was overcome with anger.“For what, this ‘merci'?” I asked.
“For the money.”
“But you know I've cheated you-robbed you! I have actually stolen from you! Why this ‘merci'?”
“In my other places they didn't give me anything at all.”
“They didn't give you anything? No wonder! I played a little joke on you, a cruel lesson, just to teach you...I m going to give you all the eighty dollars! Here they are in the envelope all ready for you...Is it really possible to be so spineless(懦弱)?Why didn't you protest? Why were you silent? Is it possible in this world to be without teeth and claws(爪)-to be such a fool?”
Embarrassed, she smiled.And I could read her expression, “It is possible.”
I asked her pardon for the cruel lesson and, to her great surprise, gave her the eighty dollars.She murmured her little “merci” several times and went out.I looked after her and thought, “How easy it is to crush(压榨)the weak in this world !”
(1)
What shocked the writer was Julia's ________.
[ ]
A.
nervousness in front of her boss
B.
acceptance of injustice(不公平)
C.
shyness when talking about money
D.
unwilling to express herself
(2)
The writer said, “Is it possible in this world to be without teeth and claws?” He was actually telling the governess ________.
[ ]
A.
to be more aggressive(侵略的)
B.
to be more careful in her work
C.
to protect her right
D.
to live independently
(3)
At the end of the story, the writer said, “How easy it is to crush the weak in this world!” to show ________.
[ ]
A.
his understanding of Julia's anxiety
B.
his worry about Julia's future
C.
his concern on the living condition of working - class people
D.
his sympathy(同情)for the mental state of the weak
(4)
From the story, we can tell that Julia's employer was ________.