Charles Dickens is often thought of as one of the greatest British writers. February 7 marked the 200th anniversary of his birthday. Yet for many, his language is old-fashioned and his stories often improbable. So why do so many people know and read Dickens today?
    One reason is the British government’s insistence that every child studies a Dickens novel at school. Alongside William Shakespeare, Dickens is on every English literature school reading list.
    His stories, though often long by today’s standards, are great moral tales. They are filled with colorful characters.
    Earlier this month, a ceremony was held in Portsmouth, where Dickens was born. Prince Charles said at the ceremony, “Dickens used his creative genius to campaign passionately for social justice… His characterization (人物刻畫) is as fresh today as on the day it was written.”
    His books stand out from many other writers because of his insight into human nature. Dickens, like Shakespeare, tells us truths about human behavior. They are as true in the 21st century as they were to his readers in the 19th century.
    Readers have returned to Dickens’ books again and again over the years to see what he has to say about their own times.
    No surprise then that it was Dickens whom Britons turned to during the economic crisis in the last couple of years. Dickens helped them make sense of a world that was rapidly falling apart. The BBC adapted one of his less well-known novels, Little Dorrit, into a popular television drama that introduced many Brits to the novel for the first time. A dark story about greed and money, it was the perfect illustration of bad times.
    As long as Dickens’s novels have something to say to modern audiences, it seems likely that he will remain one of Britain’s best-loved writers.

64. In the article, the author intends to tell us ______.
A. why Dickens’ novels still appeal to readers in modern times
B. that Dickens’ works are no longer popular among young people
C. why the British government puts Dickens on school reading lists
D. that Dickens and Shakespeare’s works are required for study at school

65. In Britain, people still read Dickens because of ______.
a) romance in his books
b) moral value in his books
c) his colorful characters
d) his insight into human nature
e) government education requirement
f) his prediction of the current economic crisis
A. abdf              B. bcde               C. bdef             D. abed

66. We can infer from the article that ______.
A. it’s better to read Dickens in time of difficulty
B. Dickens was a great social observer of his time
C. human nature seems worse during bad times
D. Dickens’s novels are short and easy to read

67. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Little Dorrit is one of Dickens’ best-known novels.
B. Dickens’ novels are of greater value during economic crisis.
C. Dickens’ works have gained more popularity than Shakespeare’s.
D. Dickens’ novels are still of realistic significance to today’s world.

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科目:高中英語 來源:新課標(biāo)2012屆高三二輪復(fù)習(xí)綜合驗收(3)英語試題 題型:050

閱讀下列短文,從每題所給的四個選項(A、B、C、D)中,選出最佳選項。

  Vitas 2008 Beijing Concert

  Venue:Capital Gymnasium

  Time:2008-01-24 19∶30

  Price:TBD(Booking)

  Tel.:86-10-64177845

  God Blessed Boy

  Extremely Beautiful Voice

  Unforgettable Hot Live

  First appeared on the Russian stage in December 2000, this show became an extreme classic in Vitas' music history.Since then, moreover, more fans from other countries were caught by him from this video especially in China.The lack of Russian language was not in the way for dozen thousands of admirers from China, Taiwan, Singapore and Japan first to pay attention and then to love Vitas' creative work, his voice and songs.Undoubtedly his 2008 concert will also be considered as the yearly expectable concert in Chinese music scene and the most important event among his fans.Let's expect it!

  Lang Lang Piano Solo Concert

  Venue:National Grand Theater-Concert Hall

  Time:2008-01-03 19∶30∶00/2008-01-04 19∶30∶00

  Price:TBD(Booking)

  Tel:800-810-1887

  Acclaimed in the major concert halls of North America, Europe and Asia, Lang Lang-at the age of 20s-has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level and has established himself as one of the most exciting pianists of our time.Lang Lang's talent and personality make him an ideal ambassador for classical music and a role model for young people.He is the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic and all "Big Five" American orchestras.

  Li Yun Di Piano Recital(獨奏會)

  Venue:National Grand Theater-Concert Hall

  Time:2008-3-27 19∶30∶00

  Price:TBD(Booking)

  Tel:010-64177845

  Remarks:The tickets for Li Yun Di Piano Recital will be available soon!

  Called "extravagantly gifted and highly accomplished" by the Los Angeles Times, China pianist Li Yundi was born in 1982 in Chongqing and first gained worldwide attention after winning first prize at the 2000 Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw.He was the first person in 15 years to be awarded a first prize.

  Soprano Te Kanawa Solo Concert

  Venue:National Grand Theater-Concert Hall

  Time:2008-01-02 19∶30∶00

  Price:180(Out)280(Selling)480(Selling)680(Selling)880(Selling)1680(Out)

  Tel:400-810-1887

  Dame Kiri Janette Te Kanawa is an internationally famous New Zealand opera singer.In 1981, she was seen and heard around the world by an estimated 600 million people when she sang Handel's "Let the Bright Seraphim" at the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer.

(1)

The main purpose of this passage is ________.

[  ]

A.

to attract people to attend these concerts

B.

enrich your knowledge of some famous musicians

C.

rouse your interest in music

D.

call on young people to learn from them

(2)

Which concert will you attend if you want to hear an opera?

[  ]

A.

Vitas 2008 Beijing Concert

B.

Lang Lang Piano Solo Concert

C.

Li Yun Di Piano Recital

D.

Soprano Te Kanawa Solo Concert

(3)

About the tickets to Li Yun Di Piano Recital, which of the following is right?

[  ]

A.

The price for the tickets hasn't been determined.

B.

The tickets have been sold out.

C.

The price of the tickets is too high.

D.

It will be long before you can book the tickets for it.

(4)

What can you know from the advertisement?

[  ]

A.

The lack of Russian language stops people in China loving Vitas's songs.

B.

Some of the tickets for Soprano Te Kanawa Solo Concert have been sold out.

C.

Lang Lang is one of the first Chinese pianists to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic and all "Big Five" American orchestras.

D.

You have to pay the telephone bill if you call to book the tickets for Soprano Te Kanawa Solo Concert

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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解

Vitas 2008 Beijing Concert

Venue:  Capital Gymnasium

Time:  2008-01-24 19:30

Price:  TBD(Booking)

Tel.:    86-10-64177845

God Blessed Boy

Extremely Beautiful Voice

Unforgettable Hot Live

First appeared on the Russian stage in December 2000, this show became an extreme classic in Vitas' music history. Since then, moreover, more fans from other countries were caught by him from this video especially in China. The lack of Russian language was not in the way for dozen thousands of admirers from China, Taiwan, Singapore and Japan first to pay attention and then to love Vitas' creative work, his voice and songs. Undoubtedly his 2008 concert will also be considered as the yearly expectable concert in Chinese music scene and the most important event among his fans. Let's expect it!

Lang Lang Piano Solo Concert

Venue:  National Grand Theater-Concert Hall

Time:  2008-01-03 19:30:00/2008-01-04 19:30:00

Price:  TBD(Booking)

Tel:     800-810-1887

Acclaimed in the major concert halls of North America, Europe and Asia, Lang Lang - at the age of 20s - has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level and has established himself as one of the most exciting pianists of our time. Lang Lang's talent and personality make him an ideal ambassador for classical music and a role model for young people. He is the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic and all "Big Five" American orchestras.

Li Yun Di Piano Recital(獨奏會)

Venue:  National Grand Theater-Concert Hall

Time:  2008-3-27 19:30:00 

Price:  TBD(Booking)

Tel:    010-64177845

Remarks: The tickets for Li Yun Di Piano Recital will be available soon!

Called "extravagantly gifted and highly accomplished" by the Los Angeles Times, China pianist Li Yundi was born in 1982 in Chongqing and first gained worldwide attention after winning first prize at the 2000 Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw. He was the first person in 15 years to be awarded a first prize.

Soprano Te Kanawa Solo Concert

Venue:  National Grand Theater-Concert Hall

Time:  2008-01-02 19:30:00 

Price:  180(Out)280(Selling)480(Selling)680(Selling)880(Selling)1680(Out)

Tel:     400-810-1887

Dame Kiri Janette Te Kanawa is an internationally famous New Zealand opera singer. In 1981, she was seen and heard around the world by an estimated 600 million people when she sang Handel's "Let the Bright Seraphim" at the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer.

72.The main purpose of this passage is______.

      A.to attract people to attend these concerts

      B.enrich your knowledge of some famous musicians

      C.rouse your interest in music

      D.call on young people to learn from them

73.Which concert will you attend if you want to hear an opera?

       A.Vitas 2008 Beijing Concert        B.Lang Lang Piano Solo Concert

       C.Li Yun Di Piano Recital           D.Soprano Te Kanawa Solo Concert

74.About the tickets to Li Yun Di Piano Recital, which of the following is right?

       A.The price for the tickets hasn’t been determined.

       B.The tickets have been sold out.

       C.The price of the tickets is too high.

       D.It will be long before you can book the tickets for it.

75.What can you know from the advertisement?

      A.The lack of Russian language stops people in China loving Vitas’s songs.

      B.Some of the tickets for Soprano Te Kanawa Solo Concert have been sold out.

       C.Lang Lang is one of the first Chinese pianists to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic and all "Big Five" American orchestras.

       D.You have to pay the telephone bill if you call to book the tickets for Soprano Te Kanawa Solo Concert

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