Everybody may have seen the film “Death on the Nile(n.尼罗河)”, but nobody can imagine that the writer of the story, Agatha Christie, saved a baby in a most unusual way.
In June 1977, a baby girl became seriously ill in Deleville.Doctors there were unable to find out the cause of her illness, so she was sent to a famous hospital in London, where there were many excellent doctors.The baby was so seriously ill that a team of doctors hurried to examine her baby without delay.The doctors, too, were puzzled by the baby’s illness and they also became discouraged.Just then a nurse asked to speak to them.
“I think the baby is suffering from thallium(n.铊)poisoning.” said the nurse.“A few days ago, I read a story ‘A Pale Horse’ written by Agatha Christie.Someone uses thallium poison, and all the symptoms are written in the book.They are exactly the same as the baby’s.”
“You’re very good at observing things,” said a doctor, “and you may be right.We’ll carry out some tests and find out whether the cause is thallium poisoning or not.”
The tests proved that the baby had indeed been poisoned by thallium.Once they knew the cause, the doctors were able to give her correct treatment.The baby soon got well and was sent back to Deleville A week later it was reported that the poison might have come from an insecticide(n.杀虫剂)used in Deleville.
(1)
The baby was sent to a hospital in London because _________.
[ ]
A.
her parents were living in London then
B.
the hospitals in Deleville were full at that time
C.
she was the daughter of a famous doctor in London
D.
doctors in Deleville were not sure about the cause of her illness
(2)
When the baby was first sent to the hospital in London, her illness was considered to be _________.
[ ]
A.
quite easy to treat
B.
the result of thallium poisoning
C.
a common one
D.
extraordinarily serious
(3)
From this passage it seems that the baby’s illness had something to do with _________.
[ ]
A.
a dead writer
B.
the water in Deleville
C.
a dangerous murderer
D.
a harmful substance(n.物质)used to kill pests
(4)
As far as we can tell from the story, Agatha Christie _________.
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?