Stratford –on-Avon, as we all know, has only one industry—William Shakespeare—but there are two clearly separate and different branches.There is the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), which presents excellent productions of the plays at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre on the Avon.And there are townsfolk who largely live on the tourists who come, not to see the play, but to look at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Shakespeare’s birthplace and the other sights.
The townsfolk of Stratford doubt that the theatre adds a penny to their income.They frankly dislike the RSC actors, those who walk with Jong hair and beard and great noise.
The tourist stream are not entirely separate.The sightseers, who come by bus and often take in Warwick on the side, don’t usually see the plays.And some of them are even surprised to find a theatre in Stratford.However, the playgoers do manage a little sight-seeing along with their play-going.It is the playgoers, the RSC declares, who bring in much of the town’s income because they spend the night (some of them four or five nights ) pouring money into hotels and restaurants.The sightseers can take in everything and get out of town by nightfall.
The townsfolk don’t see it this way and local government does not put away some money for the RSC.Stratford cries poor traditionally.Nevertheless, every hotel in town seems to be adding a new wing or a cocktail room.Hilton is building its own hotel there, which you will be sure will be decorated with Hamburger bars, dinner rooms ad so forth, and will be very expensive.
Anyway, the townsfolk can’t understand why the RSC needs help from the government.The theatre has broken attendance records for three years in a row.Last year, its 1,431 seats were 94 occupied all year long and this year they will do better.The reason, of course, is that costs have rocketed and ticket prices have stayed the same.It would be a shame to raise prices too much because it would drive away the young people who are Stratford’s most attractive customers.They come entirely for the plays, not the sights.They all seem to look alike, though they come from all over.
(1)
From the first two paragraphs, we learn that________
[ ]
A.
the townsfolk think little of the RSC’s contribution to the town’s income
B.
the actors of RSC imitate Shakespeare on and off stage
C.
the two branches of the RSC are not on good terms
D.
the townsfolk earn little from tourism
(2)
It can be inferred from the third paragraph that
[ ]
A.
the sightseers cannot visit the castle and the palace separately
B.
the playgoers seem to spend to spend more money than the sightseers
C.
the playgoers go to no other places in town than the theatre
D.
the sightseers do no other things than shopping in town
(3)
By saying “Stratford cries poor traditionally”, the author means that ________
[ ]
A.
Stratford has long been in financial difficulties
B.
Stratford cannot afford the new projects
C.
the town is not really short of money
D.
the townsfolk used to be poorly paid
(4)
According to the townsfolk, the RSC deserves no help form the government because ________
[ ]
A.
the behavior of the actors is not socially acceptable
THE names of William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Jane Austen are probably not new to you.They are stars of the literary landscape and their works add to the charm of their British homeland.This week, we take you to the places where these literary masters grew up, lived or got their inspiration from.
Stratford-upon-Avon
Located on the banks of the river Avon in the north of England, Stratford-upon-Avon provides a beautiful glimpse into Britain’s rural life.Every year, thousands of tourists flock to the town to see the land that produced Britain’s greatest playwright.They visit the house where Shakespeare lived and go to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to enjoy his plays.
William Shakespeare(1564-1616)
Stratford-upon-Avon would be on an ordinary small city in Britain if it was not the birthplace of William Shakespeare.Shakespeare left the town when he was 18, but even at the height of his career in London, Shakespeare returned here regularly to visit his family.Shakespeare thought of it as his real home, even though London brought him fame.
Bath
UNESCO World Heritage city.Bath has the country’s only natural hot springs.The city is named after its most popular sight:the Roman Baths, which were built by the Romans in the first century as a public bath house.For centuries, people went there to bathe in the natural mineral water.
Jane Austen(1775-1817)
Bath was one of Austen’s favorite places.It appears in her novels ?Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. In the latter she wrote:“I do like it very much.If I could have papa and mamma, and the rest of them here, I suppose I should be too happy!”
London
LONDON is the cultural centre of Britain.Its historical attractions draw numerous visitors.Treasures such as Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace are among the world’s top tourist attractions.Museums like the British Museum and the National Gallery, all free, make London a favorite for art lovers.
Charles Dickens(1812-1870)?
Dickens spent most of his life in London and wrote extensively about this city.Born in Hampshire, south of London, Dickens moved to London when he was two years old.He depicted London as foggy, dirty, with villains everywhere, as shown in his works Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, Bleak House and A Tale of Two Cities.
(1)
Which of the following doesn’t belong to the world’s top tourist attractions?
[ ]
A.
Stratford-upon-Avon.
B.
Westminster Abbey.
C.
Big Ben.
D.
Buckingham Palace.
(2)
Which of the following is true?
[ ]
A.
Stratford-upon-Avon made Shakespeare famous.
B.
In Shakespeare’s opinion, London was his real home.
C.
Stratford-upon-Avon was the birthplace of Shakespeare.
D.
Shakespeare returned to London regularly to visit his family.
(3)
________ appears in the novels Persuasion and Northanger Abbey.
[ ]
A.
Stratford-upon-Avon
B.
London
C.
Britain
D.
Bath
(4)
________ is not Charles Dickens’s works.
[ ]
A.
Oliver Twist
?
B.
Great Expectation?
C.
Bleak House?
D.
Northanger Abbey?
(5)
What’s the main idea of the passage?
[ ]
A.
Introduce the places where three literary masters grew up and lived.
B.
Introduce the works of three literary masters.
C.
Compare the three literary masters.
D.
Describe the three literary masters.
阅读下面短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C、D)中,选出最佳选项。
How To Book
Booking opens for “Beckett Shorts” on September 8.
By telephone
For credit card bookings.Calls are answered.
Box office
01789-295623 9∶00 a.m.-8∶00 p.m.(Mon.-Sat.)
0541-541051(24 hours, 7 days, no booking charge)
By fax
For credit card bookings.Please allow at least 48 hours for reply, if required.
Box office
01789-261974 or 01862-387765
By post
Please enclose a cheque or credit card details together with an SAE or add 50 p to the total amount to cover postage.
Please send to the Box Office, RST, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV376BB.
Booking opens for all other plays on September 19.
In person
Box office
RST hall, 9∶30 a.m.-8∶00 p.m.(Mon-Sat)
Overseas Booking
The easiest method of payment is by credit card.You can also pay by Eurocheque(up to £500)with your card number written on the back.
Paying for your tickets
Credit Cards
We accept Visa, Master card, American Express and Diners Club.Please give the card number, name and address of cardholder.
Cheques
Cheques and postal orders should be payable to:Royal Shakespeare Theatre
(1)
One has to wait for two days or longer for a reply if he/she books ________.
[ ]
A.
in person
B.
by post
C.
by telephone
D.
by fax
(2)
In which of the following ways of booking does one probably have to pay extra money?
[ ]
A.
By post.
B.
By fax.
C.
By telephone.
D.
In person.
(3)
What is a useful number to call at 11 am Sunday?
[ ]
A.
01789-261974.
B.
01789-295623.
C.
01862-387765.
D.
0541-541051.
阅读理解
HOW TO BOOK
Booking opens for Beckett Shorts on 8 September.
BY TELEPHONE
For credit card(信用卡)bookings.Calls are answered.
BOX OFFICE
01789 295623 9a. m.-8p. m.(Mon.-Sat.)
0541 541051(24hours, 7days, no booking charge).
BYFAX
For credit card bookings:Please allow at least 48 hours for reply, if required.
BOX OFFICE
01789 261974 or 01862 387765
BYPOST
Please enclose(附上)a cheque or credit card details together with an SAE or add 50p to the total amount(总额)to cover postage.Please send to the Box Office, RST, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV376BB.
Booking opens for all other plays on 19 September.
IN PERSON
BOX OFFICE
RST hall, 9∶30a. m.-8p. m.(Mon.-Sat.)
(6p. m. when theatres are closed).
OVERSEAS BOOKING
The easiest method of payment is by credit card.
You can also pay by:Eurocheque(up to£500)you're your card number written on the back.
PAYING FOR YOUR TICKETS
CREDIT CARDS
We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express and Diners Club.Please give the card number, name and address of card holder.
CHEQUES Cheques and postal orders should be payable to:Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
(1)
In which of the following ways of booking does one probably have to pay extra money?
[ ]
A.
In person.
B.
By telephone.
C.
By fax.
D.
By post.
(2)
One has to wait for 2 days or longer for a reply if he/she pays ________.
[ ]
A.
in person
B.
by telephone
C.
by fax
D.
by post
(3)
What is a useful number to call at 11a. m. Sunday?
[ ]
A.
01789 295623.
B.
0541 541051.
C.
01789 261174.
D.
01862 387665.
阅读下面短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C、D)中,选出最佳选项。
HOW TO BOOK
Booking opens for Beckett Shorts on 8 September.
BY TELEPHONE
For credit card(信用卡)bookings.Calls are answered.
BOX OFFICE
01789 295623 9a. m.-8 p. m.(Mon.-Sat.)
0541 541051(24hours, 7days, no booking charge).
BYFAX
For credit card bookings.Please allow at least 48 hours for reply, if required.
BOX OFFICE
01789 261974 or 01862 387765
BYPOST
Please enclose(附上)a cheque or credit card details together with an SAE or add 50p to the total amount(总额)to cover postage.Please send to the Box Office, RST, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV376BB.
Booking opens for all other plays on 19 September.
IN PERSON
BOX OFFICE
RST hall, 9∶30a. m.-8p. m.(Mon.-Sat.)
(6p. m. when theatres are dosed).
OVER SEAS BOOKING
The easiest method of payment is by credit card.
You can also pay by:Eurocheque(up to£500)you're your card number written on the hack.
PAYING FOR YOUR TICKETS
CREDIT CARDS
We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express and Diners Club.Please give the card number, name and address of card holder.
CHEQUES
Cheques and postal orders should be payable to:Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
(1)
In which of the following ways of booking does one probably have to pay extra money?
[ ]
A.
In person.
B.
By telephone.
C.
By fax.
D.
By post.
(2)
One has to wait for 2 days or longer for a reply if he/she pays ________.
[ ]
A.
in person
B.
by telephone
C.
by fax
D.
by posu
(3)
What is a useful number to call at 11a. m. Sunday?