Shakespeare, more perhaps than any other writer, made full use of the greatest resources of the English language. Most of us use about five thousand words in our normal use of English; Shakespeare in his works used about twenty-five thousand words! There is probably no better way for a foreigner to appreciate the richness and variety of the English language than by studying the various ways in which Shakespeare uses it. Such a study is well worth the effort, even though some aspects of English usage, and the meaning of many words, have changed since Shakespeare's day. However, it is surprising that we should know comparatively little about the life of the greatest English writer. We know that Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-on-Avon, and that he died there in 1616. He almost certainly attended the Grammar School in the town, but of this we cannot be sure. We know he was married there in 1582 to Anne Hathaway and that he had three children. We know that he spent much of his life in London writing his great works. But this is almost all that we do know. However, what is important about Shakespeare's life is not its other less important details but its products, the plays and the poems. For many years scholars have been trying to add a few facts about Shakespeare's life to the small number we already possess and for an equally long time critics have been talking about the plays. Sometimes, indeed, Luckily this is not likely to happen. have long delighted not just the English but lovers of literature everywhere, and will continue to do so after the scholars and critics and all their works have been forgotten. "Shakespeare's people" in Para.4 refers to _ . A) the characters in Shakespeare's products B) the people whose native language is English C) the people living in Shakespeare's day D) the readers of Shakespeare's works
B
Until recently, women in advertisements wore one of three things -- an apron, an attractive dress or a frown. Although that is now changing, many women still feel angry about offending advertisements. "This ad degrades women." they protested .Why does this sort of advertising exist? How can advertisers and ad agencies still produce, sometimes, after months of research, advertising that offends the consumer? The ASA, the body which deals with complaints about print media, is carrying out research into how women feel about the way they are pictured in advertisements. Its conclusions are likely to be what the advertising industry already knows: although women are often annoyed by the ads, few feel strong enough to complain. Women are not the only victims of poor and boring stereotypes -- in many TV commercials men are seen either as useless, childish fools who are unable to perform the simplest household tasks, or as inconsiderate fellows, always on the lookout for an escape to the pub. But it is women who seem to suffer more from the industry's inability to put people into an authentic present-day situation. Yet according to Emma Bennett, director of a London advertising agency, women are not aggressive or extremely angry about those stereotypes and sexist advertising. "They just find it annoying or tiresome." She says that it is not advertising's use of the housewife role that bothers women, but the way in which it is handled. "The most important thing is the advertisement's tone of voice. Women hate being insincerely praised or given desperately down-to-earth common-sense advice." In the end, the responsibility for good advertising must be shared between the advertiser, the advertising agency and the consumer. Advertising does not set trends but it reflects them. It is up to the consumer to tell advertisers where they fail, and the process of change will remain slow until people on the receiving end take the business seriously and make their -feelings known. Despite recent changes in attitudes, some advertisements still fail to _ . A) change women's opinions of themselves B) show any understanding of consumers' feelings C) persuade the public to buy certain products D) meet the needs of the advertising industry
B
Q: Jolly Joe always arrived at my neighborhood at exactly half past noon. The clang of the bell on his red and black truck was then the sweetest sound in the world. Brightly colored stickers advertising his amazing kinds of treats could be found on all sides of his truck. The whole neighborhood would magically come to life. Holding a nickel , I'd run to the back of the vehicle, where children were already gathering. Jolly Joe would jump out of his truck, the sun shining on his hair. He was an older man, short and round, with a pleasant face and a welcoming smile. I don't know how, but he knew us all by name, as well as which treats we preferred. My favorite was the Buried Treasure. By eating all the ice cream, you'd discover the treasure inside: a lion, a dog or even a funny clown -- printed onto a plastic stick. When it was finally my turn, he'd put his arm deep inside one of the boxes, and pause for a moment, a puzzled look crossing his face. Then, suddenly, he'd pull it out: the Buried Treasure! I couldn't wait to enjoy the cool, sweet ice cream. As quickly as he arrived, it was time for Jolly Joe to go, leaving behind laughing, excited children with sticky hands and faces. Soon the sound of his clanging bell would slowly disappear in the distance. I always hated to see Jolly Joe go, because I knew the rest of the day would be as hot and boring as before. But I took some comfort in knowing that the next day he'd come round the corner at half past noon and once again spread his magic. What would be the best title for the text? A) Lost treasure found at last B) A clanging bell in the distance C) Ice cream man spreads frozen magic D) My friendship with an ice cream man
A: C
(Question)
China's second manned space flight will be done by two astronauts over five days in 2005. "Shenzhou-VI will be sent into space sometime in 2005," said Zuo Saichun, a spokesperson of the China Aerospace Science and Technology (CAST). "The spacecraft will make new breakthroughs in China's manned space technology." Unlike Shenzhou-V, a little more than a year ago (in October, 2003), the next flight will see two astronauts fly in space for five days. Their capsule is designed to be capable of orbiting for a whole week, the spokesperson said. "For the first time, astronauts will enter and live in the orbital module of the spacecraft to do scientific experiments," said a statement from CAST. CAST did not say what those experiments will be. In Shenzhou-VI, scientists have changed the spacecraft's configuration to reduce its weight, and tried to improve the performance of on-board equipment. They have also worked to make sure of the energy supply of the spacecraft and further improve its safety. So far, scientists have worked out ways to solve problems on environmental control and life support. Shenzhou-VI will be sent into orbit atop a Long March 2F rocket. Meanwhile, a model of the Chang'e-1 satellite is expected to be sent to orbit the moon in two years. The satellite, part of the three-stage programme, would be followed by the landing of an unmanned vehicle on the moon in the second stage by 2010 and collecting samples of lunar soil by 2020 in the final stage, according to Sun Laiyan, director of the China National Space Administration. Which of the following does NOT belong to the three-stage programme? A) Shenzhou-VI's being sent into space. B) A model of the Chang'e-1 satellite will be sent to orbit the moon. C) The landing of an unmanned vehicle on the moon. D) Collecting samples of lunar soil.
(Answer)
A