Americans get some of their news and entertainment from public television and radio. These public media receive money to operate from private citizens, organizations and government. Many of their programs are educational. But most of the American media are run by businesses for profit. These privately owned media have changed greatly in recent years. Newspapers, magazines and traditional broadcast television organizations have lost some of their popularity. At the same time, online, cable and satellite media have increased in numbers and strength. So have media that serve racial groups and those communicating in foreign languages. In general, more media than ever now provide Americans with news and entertainment. At the same time, fewer owners control them. Huge companies have many holdings . In some areas, one company controls much of the media. One dramatic change in American media is the increased success of cable television. It comes into most homes over wires. It does not use the public airwaves to present programs, as broadcast television does. Like broadcast television, most cable television programs perform advertisements. This is true although people must pay to see cable television in their homes. Thirty years ago, few people had cable. Today, about sixty-eight percent of American homes have cable television. Television by satellite also is gaining popularity. Over the years, traditional broadcast organizations have tried to appeal to as many watchers as possible. Many cable companies, however, present programs for one special group of viewers. For example, there are cable stations for people who like books, cooking, travel, golf or comedy. Which of the following is true about American public media? A) They depend on the government. B) They are controlled by the government C) They are free D) They can earn money.
D
"Heaven is where the police are English, the cooks are French, the mechanics are German, the lovers are Italian and everything is organized by the Swiss. Hell is where the police are German, the cooks are English, the mechanics are French, the lovers are Swiss, and everything is organized by the Italians." Obviously the national stereotypes in this old joke are generalizations , but such stereotypes are often said to "exist for a reason". Is there actually a sliver of truth in them? Not likely, an international research team now says. "National and cultural stereotypes do play an important role in how people see themselves and others, and being aware that these are not dependable is a useful thing," said study author Robert McCrae of the National Institute on Aging. "These are in fact unfounded stereotypes. They don't come from looking around you," McCrae said. If national stereotypes aren't rooted in real experiences, then where do they come from? One possibility is that they reflect national values, which may become known from historical events. For example, many historians have argued that the spirit of American individualism has its origins in the experiences of the pioneers on the Old West. Social scientists such as psychologist Richard Robins have given several other possible explanations for stereotypes and why they may be incorrect. Robins notes that some stereotypes may have been correct at one point in history and then remained unchanged while the culture changed. We may be _ , to some degree, to keep incorrect stereotypes, since we are less likely to notice and remember information that is different from our stereotypes. Generally, according to Robins, when we meet people who are different from our stereotypes, we see them as unique individuals rather than typical national or cultural groups. According to the research team led by McCrae, national stereotypes are _ . A) interesting B) harmful C) humorous D) unreliable
D
Q: TWENTY-FIVE years ago director Stephen Spielberg captured the hearts of Western audiences with his family classic.E.T.Now his Hong Kong director Stephen Chow is trying to do the same trick in China. Chow's latest movie CJ7(<<>> ),in cinemas now,is a heart-warming story about a poor migrant worker and his son.When a strange alien enters their lives,father and son learn a lesson about the value of family.Chow hopes his movie will help to make family films more popular in China. Family films have been the main part of the Hollywood market for the last 40 years.They have given audiences movies like E.T., Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park.However, there are few of these movies in China, where expensive history films are more popular. A family film is not simply a children's movie.It is a film that is not only suitable for children, but appeals to the whole family. According to Raymound Zhou,a famous film critic,these films are rare in China because "very few families go to the cinema together".Because of this,there is little demand for movies that appeal to the whole family. However, in the West,it is common for the family to sit down and watch a movie together.Tim Bridges, from London,says:"I love it at Christmas when I sit down and watch a movie with my family." All family films contain similar messages about being honest, remaining positive and learning there is more to life than money.According to the American movie reviewer,Dave Johnson, this is because "When parents watch a movie,they want their children to be learning good values". Just like when the alien in Spielberg's E.T.phones home to make contact with his family, Chow will hope Chinese audiences are tuned in and ready to receive his family movie message. What is the family film,according to the passage? A) A kind of film that is about history. B) A kind of film in which the characters are animals. C) A kind of film that is meant for both children and adults D) A kind of film that is about families
A: C
(Q).
Austin Children's Museum This 7,000-square-foot museum focuses on entertaining and educating children up to age 9. In its World City Exhibit , children can go shopping, order lunch at a restaurant, pretend that they're doctors or workers, and more. In other fun exhibits, they learn about Austin's history, explore the world of water, and experience life on a large Texas farm. Open time:From Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 a. m. ~5:00 p. m. On Sunday, 12:00 a. m. ~5:00 p. m. Address:201 Colorado St, Austin, Texas 78701 Phone:512-4722499 Brooklyn Children's Museum Founded in 1899, it is the world's oldest children's museum, famous for different exhibits and special events. The Mystery of Things teaches children about cultural and scientific objects and Music Mix welcomes young performers. Open time:From Wednesday to Friday, 2:00 p. m. ~5:00 p. m. On Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a. m. ~5:00 p. m. Address:145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn, New York 1213 Phone:718-7354400 Children's Discovery Museum This museum's exhibits explore the connections between the natural and the created worlds, and people of different cultures and times. Open time:From Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a. m. ~5:00 p. m. On Sunday, from noon. Closed on holidays. Address:180 Woz Way, Guadalupe River Park, San Jose, California 95110 Phone:408-2985437 Children's Museum of Indianapolis This museum is the largest of its kind. Exhibits cover science, culture, space, history and explorations. The largest gallery , the Center for Exploration, is designed for ages 12 and up. Open time:From Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a. m. ~5:00 p. m. Closed on Thanksgiving Day and December 25. Address:300 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208 Phone:317-3343322 Which of the following is NOT exhibited in Children's Museum of Indianapolis? A) Culture. B) History. C) Special events. D) Explorations.
(A).
C