In a room filled with cigarette smoke and the smell of beer, people are laughing as a little man on stage talks.This is stand-up, a major form of live entertainment in the West.
It could be held in a theatre or just a bar.The basic idea is that a person, or sometimes two, "stands up" on a stage and makes the audience laugh.
The performer could tell a story or lots of little stories.He could just tell jokes or discuss the most serious issues of the day.The point is that the audience expects to be made to laugh.
Audiences at stand-up shows are not polite.If they don't find the person funny they will shout out.These people are called "hecklers"(诘难者).If a comedian
(喜剧演员)is good he will be able to shout back at the heckler with some clever response(应答).
Normally, the comedian has prepared a script, which he has learnt.But often they might think of something different while on stage.This is called improvising
(即兴发挥).
Different stand-up comedians have different styles.Some are called straight men.These will never laugh or smile and will try to appear very serious even though what they are talking about is very funny.Others play the fool.These act and say things that are very stupid so that you can't help laughing at them.Another type is
the person who can copy famous people's voices.They will pretend to be someone famous in a funny situation.
Stand-up comedians will talk about anything from sex to polities, from family to animals.To a stand-up comedian everything is funny.
(1)
What's the unique form of live entertainment in the West?
[ ]
A.
Cross-talk show.
B.
A TV sketch.
C.
A stand-up show.
D.
A funny play.
(2)
What could performers tell on the stage?
[ ]
A.
Stories.
B.
Jokes.
C.
The most serious issues of the day.
D.
All of the above.
(3)
How about the audience reacting to a bad performance?
[ ]
A.
They listen to the performance closely.
B.
They cheer and applaud.
C.
They shout out at the performer.
D.
They leave the performer alone on the stage.
(4)
How many different styles of stand-up shows are mentioned?
[ ]
A.
One.
B.
Two.
C.
Three.
D.
Four.
(5)
Which of the following is TRUE according to the author?
[ ]
A.
There is only one performer in the stand-up show.
B.
All the performances are well performed before.
C.
Stand-up comedians could just choose some specific topics.
D.
Imitate famous people's voices is an important style.
阅读理解
Beautifully cut grass, elegant(雅致的)white clothes, cheering fans and exciting matches make Wimbledon, in London, the home of tennis.
Last Monday, the famous British tournament(锦标赛)opened at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.It is the third Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season.Wimbledon comes after the Australian Open and the French Open, and is followed by the US Open.
As the oldest tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon is famous for its special rules and traditions.The players’ clothing, including their shoes, must be entirely white.
In 2002, the Russian player Anna Kournikova was forced to change from her black shorts into another pair on court.Between 1988 and 1990, US legend Andre Agassi refused to play because of the all-white rule.
The UK’s unpredictable summer weather is part of the tournament.If it begins to rain, players and fans have to wait patiently for it to stop.Then, they cheer when the covers come off the grass courts.
Many British fans do not think the courts should have a roof, because they want to keep tradition.
Wimbledon is not just famous for great tennis matches.Fans like to eat strawberries and cream while watching.Every year 27, 000 kilos of strawberries and 7, 000 liters of cream are eaten.
Many British people are very proud of the tournament, but disappointment is another Wimbledon tradition for loyal(忠实的)fans of British players.Wimbledon has not been won by a British woman since 1977, and not by a British man since 1938.
(1)
Which of the following tournaments is the last to be held?
[ ]
A.
The Australian Open.
B.
The French Open.
C.
The Wimbledon Open.
D.
The US Open.
(2)
Which of the following is TRUE about Andre Agassi?
[ ]
A.
He never attended the Wimbledon Tournament.
B.
He was forced to change clothes on court.
C.
He doesn’t like the all-white rule.
D.
He is a famous Russian player.
(3)
It’s mentioned in the passage that ________.
[ ]
A.
players must continue their matches even when it rains
B.
all British fans hope to build a roof to cover the courts
C.
fans can enjoy eating strawberries and cream while watching
D.
new rules should be made in Wimbledon
(4)
Many British fans feel disappointed because ________.
[ ]
A.
British players haven’t won in Wimbledon for a long time
B.
the British government wants to change the rules in Wimbledon