(Question)
The Beijing Youth Daily on Thursday called attention to the struggles of traditional operas in China. The newspaper said the number of unique traditional Chinese opera styles had decreased to 286 from 368 in 1959, with three disappearing every two years on average. Altogether, 74 opera styles had only one troupe left, and most were at the risk of fading away. Xie Boliang, a professor at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, said, "It is well known that people should be held accountable for soil erosion, but why do we feel at ease when traditional operas fade away?" Overwhelmed by modern culture and entertainment such as movies, TV programs and pop music, traditional Chinese operas have been severely marginalized. Despite being included on the state-level Intangible Cultural Heritage list, some operas still have no place to perform. Because of the market slump   and low salaries, more traditional Chinese opera practitioners are finding other work, as are many directors and playwrights. Sun Jiazheng, chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, said traditional operas are important carriers of Chinese culture, and should be preserved. The State Council issued a circular in July calling for the promotion and protection of traditional Chinese operas, saying that it would allocate financial support and extend preferential policies to opera troupes and schools. What is the purpose of this passage? A) To call for more people to watch traditional Chinese operas. B) To tell people traditional Chinese operas are facing danger. C) To inform us of the notice of the State Council. D) To criticize the market slump and low salaries.
(Answer)
B


(Question)
Students must apply for a place before attending any class. Applications  whether by post or in person, are dealt with strictly in the order they are received at the Adult Education Office. You can apply: By post----use the card supplied with the exact fee. You will be accepted on the course unless it is full, in which case we will inform you. An acknowledgement   will not be made nor a receipt   sent unless you supply a stamped addressed envelope. Receipts will normally be given out at the first class. In person----call at the Adult Education Office (ground floor, C block) between _ 9:00a.m.and 3:30p.m. (2:30p.m. on Fridays) , or at the College Reception Desk (at the main entrance) at the other time (in the evenings until about 7:30p.m.----not Fridays) Students should note that popular classes may be full well before the course is to start, so that early application is strongly advised to avoid disappointment. For the Autumn Tem, applications will be accepted by post (better) or in person from August 1. For the Spring Term, applications will be accepted from December 1. For the Summer Term, applications will be accepted from April 1. Students who apply to the college by post will  _  . A) avoid disappointment B) be sent a bill C) have an advantage over people applying in person D) be informed if they have not got a place
(Answer)
D


(Question)
Can you imagine exchanging the pleasure of city life for a quiet life in the countryside? Many people want to move from the country to the city because they think that life in the city is more exciting and better than that in countryside, especially young people who like new, modern things. People like popular things and feel that they can only find the latest styles in the city. However, it is possible to enjoy the higher quality of country life and still enjoy some of the advantages of living in the city. Nowadays, traveling is fast and easy, and information can be found on the Internet, so many people are able to do their work in home offices. Because they have e-mail and personal computers, they don't have to be in big cities to manage their businesses. It is not important where they actually work because the results of their work can be sent everywhere with e-mails. Therefore, there is no need to put up with all of the disadvantages of the city. Now they can escape busy city life to enjoy the quiet country life and still be able to have successful jobs. Other people are interested in technological things and high-tech jobs and think they can only find them in big cities. If they want to find a job, especially a good position in a company, they think that they have to live in a city. For these jobs, they are willing to put up with many of the disadvantages of city life, such as crime, heavy traffic, and pollution. The main idea of this passage is that  _  . A) life in the city is different from life in the countryside B) people prefer living in the city to living in the countryside C) cities have more disadvantages than the countryside D) more and more people like living in the city
(Answer)
