Ever felt like destroying the car in front of you when you’re stuck in an endless traffic jam?
Well, the Spanish company StopStress is offering clients the possibility of doing just that-but in controlled, safe conditions.
Clients can also destroy computers, mobile phones and TV sets in what the company calls “destructotherapy”.
“We target the machines that cause the most stress in modern life,” company co-founder Jorge Arribas said in a telephone interview.“People get rid of stress by screaming and beating the machines until they are tired out,” he explained.
The company, based in the northern Spanish city of Sofia, uses deserted cars that still work.Heavy-metal music is used to excite the clients.They are given protective suits and glasses, helmets and huge hammers.
Most people’s rage only lasts for 5 to 10 minutes.But some go on for hours:they beat cars on which they’ve put the names of people or ideas they would like to get rid of.
“Some even get together to turn the car over,” Arribas says.A session costs 60 euros(US$80)per person.
Arribas says the idea came to him when he was having trouble parking his car.
Dozens of people have used the therapy, which helps people become aware of their stress level and helps them to slow down, Arribas explained.
“It’s better to channel violence in a controlled way than to get it out on one’s wife or in a traffic husband and jam,” he added.
StopStress already has branches in three Spanish cities, and is planning to extend its market beyond Spain’s borders.
(1)
The Spanish company StopStress offers people the chance to _________.
[ ]
A.
calm down when they are angry
B.
destroy things they no longer need
C.
get rid of stress by destroying things
D.
get rid of stress by screaming and shouting
(2)
Which of the following is NOT a means used directly to help people get less stressful in StopStress?
[ ]
A.
Heavy-metal music.
B.
Mobile phones.
C.
Deserted cars.
D.
Protective suits and glasses.
(3)
The passage is mainly intended to tell you _________.
[ ]
A.
how to attract potential customers
B.
a special way to get rid of stress
C.
a new and expanding business
D.
how to deal with stress in Spain
(4)
The underlined word “destructotherapy” in paragraph 3 refers to _________.
The China National Opera(CNO)will give a concert to celebrate its 50th birthday.
Different generations of CNO vocalists, like Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei, will present the concert which will feature both songs from famous Chinese operas like “The White-haired Girl” and “The Hundredth Bride”, as well as, arias of such Western opera classics as “Madame Butterfly”, “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto”.
Time/date:7∶30 pm, September 7, 8
Location:Tianqiao Theatre
Tel:6551-4787, 8315-6170
Tickets:60-500 yuan(US $7.2-60.2)
Folk music
A concert will be held to feature some recently composed traditional Chinese music works.
The concert, given by the Folk Orchestra of the China Opera and Ballet Theatre, will include such pieces as “Memory of Childhood ”, “Memorial Ceremony for God ”and “Wine Song”.
Time/date:7∶30pm, September 13
Location:Concert hall at the National Library of China
Tel:6848 –5462, 6841-9220
Tickets:30-200 yuan(US$3.6-24.1)
Moon music
A concert of traditional Chinese music will be given on the eve of the Moon Festival which falls on September 21st this year.
The concert will feature a number of famous pieces centred on the theme of the moon, such as “Moonlight”, “Spring night on a Moonlit River” and “Lofty Mountain and Flowing River.”
A number of established traditional Chinese music performers like Zhou Yaokun and Fan Weiqing, will play solos as well as collaborate with the folk music orchestra.
Time/date:7∶30 pm, September 21st
Location:Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities
Tel:6606-8888, 6606-9999
(1)
If you want to buy tickets for listening to the music “Memory of Childhood”, you will dial _________.
[ ]
A.
6551-4787
B.
6848-5462
C.
8315-6170
D.
6606-9999
(2)
Which statement is right according to the passage?
[ ]
A.
Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei stand for the same generation of CNO vocalists.
B.
“Rigoletto” is a famous piece on the theme of the moon.
C.
“Lofty Mountain and Flowing River” is a traditional Chinese music.
D.
Zhou Yaokun will play solos and Fan Weiqing will collaborate with the folk music orchestra.
(3)
“Madame Butterfly” is ________.
[ ]
A.
a Chinese opera
B.
a Western opera
C.
a piece of music
D.
a song
(4)
In which column of a newspaper will the article be published?