题目内容
【题目】Tens of thousands of theatre tickets will be given away to young people next year as part of a government campaign to inspire a life-long 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 on2006，itself a record year. Total sales were up 18 percent on 2006 to almost 470 million.
One theatre source criticized 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 Young 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 is-sue 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 __________.
A. controversial
B. inspiring
C. exciting
D. unreasonable
【答案】【1】 B
【2】 D
【3】 C
【4】 B
【5】 A
【解析】为了激发年轻一代对戏剧的喜爱，政府将开展一项运动：于明年送出数万张戏票。这一计划在社会各界引起了不同的反应。
【1】 细节理解题。由文中第四段开头的criticized和"I don't know why the Government's wasting money on this. " 一句可知，批评者认为这一计划是在浪费金钱，故选B。
【2】 细节理解题。由文中第五段可知，支持该计划的人支持让年轻人到剧院去的任何运动，尤其是那种能够让全英国人而不是仅伦敦人能参与的运动。故选D。
【3】 推理判断题。A项错，95家剧院只是可以申请该基金，而非获得；B项错在everyone，过于绝对；D项错是因为免费票只是每周发放一次，而非每天都有。
【4】 推理判断题。由文章最后一段可知真正的问题不是让孩子们进人到剧院里，而是要提高他们的艺术教育水平，让更多的年轻人愿意进入剧院，由此可见许多年轻人是不喜欢戏剧的。
【5】 推理判断题。由第二、四、五段可知该计划得到了艺术界一些人士的谨慎的欢迎，另一些人则持批评态度，还有一些人则赞扬该计划。由此可见这项计划是有争议的（controversial）。
