Societies all over the world name places in similar ways. Quite often there is no official naming ceremony but places tend to be called names as points of reference by people. Then an organized body steps in and gives the place a name. Frequently it happens that a place has two names: One is named by the people and the other by the government. As in many areas, old habits died hard, and the place continues to be called by its unofficial name long after the meaning is lost.

Many roads and places in Singapore(新加坡) are named in order that the pioneers will be remembered by future generations. Thus we have names such as Stamford Road and Raffles Place. This is in keeping with traditions in many countries ---- in both the West and the East.

Another way of naming places is naming them after other places. Perhaps they were named to promote friendships between the two places or it could be that the people who used to live there were originally from the places that the roads were named after. The mystery is clearer when we see some of the roads named in former British bases. If you step into Selector Airbase you will see Piccadilly Circus ---- obviously named by some homesick Royal Air Force personnel.

Some places were named after the activities that used to go on at those places. Bras Basah Road is an interesting example, “Base Basah” means “wet rice” in Malay(马来语). Now why would anyone want to name a road “Wet Rice Road”? The reason is simple. During the pioneering days, wet rice was laid out to dry along this road.

A few roads in Singapore are named by their shapes. There is “Circular Road” for one. Other roads may have part of their names to describe their shapes, like “Paya Lebar Crescent”. This road is called a crescent(月牙) because it begins on the main road, makes a crescent and comes back to join the main road again.

36. We learn from Paragraph 1 that _____.

A. the government is usually the first to name a place

B. many places tend to have more than one name

C. a ceremony will be held when a place is named

D. people prefer the place names given by the government

37. What does the underlined phrase “die hard” in Paragraph 1 probably mean?

A. Change suddenly.

B. Change significantly.

C. Disappear mysteriously.

D. Disappear very slowly.

38. Which of the following places is named after a person?

A. Raffles Place.

B. Selector Airbase.

C. Piccadilly Circus.

D. Paya Lebar Crescent.

39. Bras Basah Road is named _______.

A. after a person

B. after a place

C. after an activity

D. by its shape

40. What can be inferred from the passage?

A. Some place names in Singapore are the same as in Britain.

B. Some places in Singapore are named for military purposes.

C. The way Singaporeans name their places is unique.

D. Young Singaporeans have forgotten the pioneers.

Tens of thousands of theatre tickets will be given away to young people next year as part of a government campaign to inspire a lifelong 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 on 2006, itself a record year. Total sales were up 18 percent on 2006 to almost ??470 million.

One theatre source criticised 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 Yong 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 issue 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.”

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

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

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.

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

According to the passage, the issue to offer free tickets to young people seems ______.

A. controversial      B. inspiring      C. exciting      D. unreasonable

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