Charlie Chaplin was born on April 16, 1889 in London. Both his father and mother were entertainers and although not of big names, they were doing very well. While the family was by no means rich, the music hall provided the Chaplins with a comfortable living. Unfortunately happy life didn’t last long. Father’s alcoholism was slowly, but surely destroying his marriage. Finally it ended in divorce. His mother managed to keep Charlie and his brother Syney clean and warm, clothed and fed. She would sit at the window watching the passers-by and guess at their characters from the way they looked and behaved, making up tales to delight Charlie and Syney. Charlie took in her skills and went on using them all his life.
Charlie had always believed, even in the worst times, that he had something special locked away inside him. He took his courage and went to one of the top theater agents. With no experience at all, he was offered a plum part (意外得到的好角色) in a new production of “Sherlock Holmes”, which opened on July 27, 1903 at the famous “Pavilion Theatre”. Charlie seemed to change overnight. It was as if he had found the thing he was meant to do. By 1910, Charlie had become “one of the best pantomime (哑剧) artists ever seen ”.
Cinema was born in the same year as Charlie thought people still believed it was a passing fashion, and would never replace live shows. But after using several weeks to watch and to learn, he was determined to master this new medium. It offered him the chance of money and success—and it would set him free from the unpredictability of live audience.
Charlie’s first film, released in February 1914, was called “Making a living”. After that he made another ten. The public loved him and producers were demanding more and more Chaplin films. In an incredibly short time, Charlie had become a very important man in motion picture.
1.Which of the following is NOT true about Charlie Chaplin?
A. Mother had much influence on Charlie Chaplin’s career.
B. “Sherlock Holmes” made Charlie rise to fame overnight.
C. Charlie had been famous when the cinema became a fashion.
D. Charlie’s work in both the theater and the cinema was welcomed.
2.What can you infer from the passage?
A. Charlie Chaplin’s belief in his potential led to his success.
B. Charlie Chaplin got his first role in a film at 14.
C. Cinema was a form of art showing live performance.
D. Motion picture was a passing fashion lasting a short time.
3.The underlined word “unpredictability” in Paragraph 3 means____________.
A. low spirits B. opposing attitude
C. successful performance D. changing state
4.What is the passage mainly about?
A. Charlie Chaplin made the cinema industry popular.
B. Charlie Chaplin’s early success in his career.
C. Charlie Chaplin was a best pantomime artist.
D. Charlie Chaplin’s determination to do what he liked.
Driving in a foreign country is always different in at least some ways from driving in your own country. Here are some general points regarding driving in New Zealand.
l Visitors wishing to drive in New Zealand do not require an international driver’s license but are required to carry their local driver’s license whenever driving.
l Vehicles drive on the left-hand side of the road as they do in Britain, Australia, and Japan. Most rental vehicles will have a sticker reminding you of this important fact.
l When the traffic light is red, you must stop. There is no left turn rule as in North America.
l New Zealand road rules follow international standards but please note that in New Zealand vehicles turning left must give way to traffic turning right.
l In general, if you are turning left (where there are give-way signs or no signs), give way to vehicles that not turning. In all other situations, give way to vehicles crossing or coming from your right.
l Seat belts must be worn at all times while driving in New Zealand. This stands for the driver and passengers. The driver is responsible for ensuring all passengers are wearing their seatbelts.
l Do not drink alcohol before driving in New Zealand—drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced.
l Speed limits are in kilometres per hour (kph), not miles per hour (mph).
Speed conversion: 1 kph equals 0.621 mph; 1 mph equals 1.61 kph.
l The speed limit on the open road is 100km/h. In towns and cities the speed limit is 50km/h. Be sure to obey all school crossing speed reductions as speed cameras operate regularly throughout New Zealand.
For further information and up to date road conditions visit: http://www.transit.govt.nz
1.What can be learned from the passage?
A. A passenger’s not wearing the seat belt has little to do with the driver.
B. There will be a reminder for drivers to remember to drive on the left side.
C. Cars passing a school in towns should drive at a speed of less than 31 mph.
D. A foreign driver is expected to have a driving license issued by New Zealand.
2.Which of the following statements correctly explains road rules in New Zealand?
A. In Figure 1, Car B must give way to Car A.
B. In Figure 2, Car B must give way to Car A.
C. In Figure 3, Car B must give way to Car A.
D. In Figure 4, Car B must give way to Car A.
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3.This passage is most likely ____________.
A. a travel brochure for locals
B. a website travel introduction
C. an advertisement of travel
D. a travel column in a geographical magazine