With the start of BBC World Service Television, millions of viewers in Asia and America can now watch the Corporation's news coverage, as well as listen to it.  
And of course in Britain listeners and viewers can tune in to two BBC television channels, five BBC national radio services and dozens of local radio station. They are brought sport, comedy, drama, music, news and current affairs, education, religion, parliamentary coverage, children's programmes and films for an annual license fee of ￡83 per household.
It is a remarkable record, stretching back over 70 years - yet the BBC's future is now in doubt. The Corporation will survive as a publicly-funded broadcasting organization, at least for the time being, but its role, its size and its programmes are now the subject of a nation-wide debate in Britain.
The debate was launched by the Government, which invited anyone with an opinion of the BBC - including ordinary listeners and viewers - to say what was good or bad about the Corporation, and even whether they thought it was worth keeping. The reason for its inquiry is that the BBC's royal charter runs out in 1996 and it must decide whether to keep the organization as it is, or to make changes.
Defenders of the Corporation - of whom there are many - are fond of quoting the American slogan. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The BBC ain't broke, they say, by which they mean it is not broken (as distinct from the word broke, meaning having no money), so why bother to change it?
Yet the BBC will have toks5u change, because the broadcasting world around it is changing. The commercial TV channels － ITV and Channel 4－ were required by the Thatcher Government's Broadcasting Act to become more commercial, competing with each other for advertisers, and cutting costs and jobs. But it is the arrival of new satellite channels - funded partly by advertising and partly by viewers' subscriptions - which will bring about the biggest changes in the long term.
56. The world famous BBC now faces ________.
A. the problem of new coverage　　               B. an uncertain prospect
C. inquiries by the general public　                D. shrinkage of audience
57. In the passage, which of the following about the BBC is not mentioned as the key issue?
A. Extension of its TV service to Far East.
B. Programmes as the subject of a nation-wide debate.
C. Potentials for further international co-operations.
D. Its existence as a broadcasting organization.
58. The BBC's royal charter （line 4, paragraph 4） stands for ________.
A. the financial support from the royal family      B. the privileges granted by the Queen
C. a contract with the Queen  　　                      D. a unique relationship with the royal family
59. The foremost reason why the BBC has to readjust itself is no other than ________.　　　　　　　　
A. the emergence of commercial TV channels
B. the enforcement of Broadcasting Act by the government
C. the urgent necessity to reduce costs and jobs
D. the challenge of new satellite channels

A qualified doctor who rarely practiced but instead devoted his life to writing. He once said: “Medicine is my lawful wife, and literature is my lover.” Russian writer Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, was a great playwright and one of the masters of the modern short story.

When Chekhov entered the Moscow University Medical School in 1879, he started to publish hundreds of comic short stories to support his family. After he graduated, he wrote regularly for a local daily newspaper.

As a writer he was extremely fast, often producing a short story in an hour or less. Chekhov’s medical and science experience can be seen through the indifference(冷漠) many of his characters show to tragic events. In 1892, he became a full time writer and published some of his most memorable stories.

Chekhov often wrote about the sufferings of life in small town Russia. Tragic events control his characters who are filled with feelings of hopelessness and despair.

It is often said that nothing happens in Chekhov’s stories and plays. He made up for this with his exciting technique for developing drama within his characters. Chekhov’s work combined the calm attitude of a scientist and doctor with the sensitivity(敏感) of an artist.

Some of Chekhov's works were translated into Chinese as early as the 1940s. One of his famous stories, The Man in a Shell, about a school teacher’s extraordinarily orderly life, was selected as a text for Chinese senior students.

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov ________.

A. had a lawful lover                          B. was an illegal writer

C. used to be a lawyer                         D. was a competent doctor

In 1880, Chekhov ________.

A. became a full-time writer 

B. studied medicine in Moscow University

C. practiced medicine in his hometown

D. published his most memorable stories

Which of the following adjectives can’t be used to describe Chekhov?

A. Sensitive.                                            B. Cool.

C. Quick-minded.                                     D. Warm-hearted.

Which of the following is the right order of the events?

A. became a doctor                      B. became a full time writer

C. started to publish comic short stories     

D. wrote regularly for a local daily newspaper.

e. entered the Moscow University Medical School

A. e→c→a→d→b                B. d→a→b→c→e               

C. e→c→b→a→d         　　D. a→e→c→b→d

Back in my country, when I was a child, I used to go to “market day” with my mother. One day each week, farmers used to ___1___ their fruit and vegetables into the city. They ___2___ one street to all cars, and the farmers set up tables for their ___3___. This outdoor market was a great place to ___4___. Everything was fresher than produce in grocery stores because the farmers brought it in ___5___ after the harvest. My mother and I always got there early in the morning to get the ___6___ produce.

The outdoor market was a wonderful adventure for a small child, ___7___ was like a festival — full of colors and ___8___. There are red tomatoes, yellow lemons, green lettuce, peppers, grapes, onions. The farmers did their own ___9___. They all shouted loudly for ___10___ to buy their produce. “Come and buy my beautiful oranges! They’re juicy and delicious and full of vitamins to ___11___ your children healthy and strong!”

Everyone used to ___12___ with the farmers over the ___13___ of their produce. It was like a wonderful drama in a theatre; the buyers and sellers were the “___14___” in this drama. My mother was an ___15___ at this. First, she picked the freshest, most attractive tomatoes, for example. Then she asked the price. The seller told her.

“What?” she said. She looked very surprised. “ So ___16___?”

The seller looked terribly ___17___. “My dear lady!” he replied. “I’m a poor, ___18___ farmer. These are the cheapest tomatoes on the market!”

They always argued for several minutes before agreeing ___19___ a price. My mother took her tomatoes and left. Both buyer and seller were ___20___. The drama was over.

1. A. carry            B. take　        C. bring             D. fetch

2. A. opened　         B. closed　　     C. started　　             D. stopped

3. A. produce　       B. goods　　     C. food　　         D. product

4. A. buy           B. sell　　    C. bargain　　         D. shop

5. A. hurriedly       B. immediately    C. directly            D. straightly

6. A. best　　       B. finest　　     C. freshest            D. cheapest

7. A. who　          B. that　　　     C. which　　       D. what

8. A. voices          B. noises　　     C. sounds　　              D. accent

9. A. shopping       B. business　     C. shouting　        D. advertising

10. A. customers      B. producers　   C. themselves        D. sellers

11. A. keep              B. let　　      C. expect              D. make

12. A. argue          B. talk　　　     C. discuss　　          D. speak

13. A. order          B. price　　　   C. quality　　         D. form

14. A. viewers       B. listeners　      C. actors             D. directors

15. A. actress　       B. inventor　      C. advancer　         D. expert

16. A. wonderful      B. exciting       C. cheap　　　         D. expensive

17. A. injured　        B. hurt　　      C. damaged　         D. wounded

18. A. excellent        B. fair　　　     C. honest　　           D. easy

19. A. with           B. to　　　           C. in　　　　               D. on

20. A. disappointed　B. encouraged  C. satisfied　　　      D. tired

A child's birthday party doesn't have to be a hassle; it can be a basket of fun, according to Beth Anaclerio, an Evaston mother of two, ages 4 and 18 months.

　　"Having a party at home usually requires a lot of running around on the part of the parents, and often the birthday boy or girl gets lost in wild excitement. But it really doesn't have to be that way," said Anaclerio. Last summer, Anaclerio and her friend Jill Garlisle, a Northbrook mother of a 2-year-old, founded a home party-planning business called "A Party in a Basket." Their goal is to help parents and children share in the fun part of party planning, like choosing the subject or making a cake, while they take care of everything.

　　Drawing on their experiences as mothers, they have created（制作）10 ready-to-use, home party packages. Everything a family needs to plan a party, except the cake and ice cream, is delivered to the home in a large basket.

　　"Our parties are aimed for children 2 to 10."Anaclerio said, "and they're very interactive（互动）and creative in that they build a sense of drama based on a subject. For example, at the Soda Shoppe party the guests become waiters and waitresses and build wonderful ice cream creations."

　　The standard ＄200 package for eight children includes a basket filled with invitations, gifts, games and prizes, paper goods, a party planner and the like. For more information, call Anaclerio at 708-864-6584 or Carlisle at 708-205-9141.

72. The main purpose of writing this text is ____.

　　A. to share information about party planning

　　B. to introduce the joys of a birthday party

　　C. to announce a business plan

　　D. to sell a service

73. The most important idea behind the kind of party planning described here is that ____.

　　A. it brings parents and children closer together

　　B. guests play a part in the preparation of a party

　　C. parents are spared the trouble of sending invitations

　　D. it provides a subject of conversation

74. What does the underlined word "hassle"（Paragraph 1） probably mean？

　　A. a party designed by specialists

　　B. a plan requiring careful thought

　　C. a situation causing difficulty or trouble

　　D. a demand made by guests

75. Which of the following is most likely to be a party planner？

       Dallas Children’s Theater Academy

ShowBiz Summer 2008

Rosewood Center for Family Arts

　　　　5938 Skillman * Dallas, TX 75231 * (214) 978-0110

Important Information

* All classes are taught by DCT Theater Professionals!

* All Grade Levels indicated are for Fall 2008.

* Tuition Deposit required for registration.

* Tuition balance due on the first day of class. No tuition refunds (退款).

* DCT reserves the right to cancel any class; refunds made for cancellation.

* Please accompany student to first day of class.

* Registration begins one-half hour before class time.

* Questions? Call Nancy Schaeffer at (214) 978-0110 or e-mail nancy@dct.org

How To Register

MAIL: * Fill out the form in this brochure.

* Be sure to list the class and group that you want & the dates.

* The registration form may be copied.

FAX:  Complete the registration form and fax it to DCT at (214) 978-0118.

PHONE: Call (214) 978-0110.

WEB: Visit www.dct.org, click on Academy Classes

Drama Days! — $175

Entering Grades: Group A: K   Group B: 1st & 2nd   Group C: 3rd –– 5th

Mon. –– Fri.  9:　30 a　.m. –– 1 p.m.   June 2 –– June 6

* Day One –– come up with a character, work with your class to plan the play.

* Day Two –– create the situations and scenes for your one-of-a-kind show!

* Day Three –– rehearse (排演) your part.

* Day Four –– pick a costume, get ready!

* Day Five –– SHOWTIME –– invite family and friends to your Friday Showcase!

* Bring a sack lunch and drink each day!

Laugh Out Loud –– $175

Entering Grades: 5+  Mon. –– Fri.  1:30 p.m. –– 5:00 p.m.  June 23 –– June 27  Show Friday, June 27

* Do you like comedy? Try your hand at the world of comedy in the class just for you!

* Learn a comedy sketch from the old masters!

* Tell a joke! Learn why old jokes can be the best!

* Work with your class to put on a one-of-a-kind Comedy Show for family and friends!

Acting –– Just Acting –– $225

Group A: Entering Grades K; Group B: Entering Grades 1st –– 2nd; Group C: Entering Grades 3rd –– 4th; Mon. –– Fri.  9:　30 a　.m. –– 2:30 p.m.; Session I: July 28 –– Aug. 1; Session II: Aug. 4 –– Aug. 8; Session III: Aug. 11 –– Aug. 15

* Are you ready to challenge your acting skills and try something new?!

* Start with the characters: Who are you? Be the Star of your Dreams.

* Become the character you’ve always wanted to be.

* Work with your class to create the plot.

* Get ready to present your show for family and friends on the final Friday!

Summer Scenes –– $225

Entering Grades 5th and 6th; Mon. –– Fri. 9:　30 a　.m. –– 2:30 p.m.; Session I: July 28 –– Aug.1; Session II: Aug. 4 –– Aug. 8; Session III: Aug. 11 –– Aug. 15

* Do you want to be an actor?

* Improve your skills with instruction from professional actors & directors.

* Rehearse and perform scenes from your favorite plays.

* Develop characters and polish performances!

14. What is the purpose of the text?

   A. To attract readers to attend Summer Scenes.

   B. To persuade readers to attend ShowBiz Summer 2008.

   C. To earn money from the introduction.

   D. To teach readers how to register for ShowBiz Summer 2008.

15. If you want to attend Showbiz Summer 2008, you should be aware that ______.

   A. tuition must be paid at least before June 2

   B. there’ll be no refunds in any case.

   C. registration begins half an hour after class time

   D. students had better be accompanied on the first day

16. It can be inferred from the text that all the four one-week specials ______.

   A. are intended for children aged below 5

   B. are all held at 　　Rosewood　 　Center　　 for Family Arts

   C. will take place in June or July and last five days

   D. need students to bring a sack lunch and drink each day

17. Which of the following classes suits those who want to be actors?

   A. Drama Days!                                   B. Laugh Out Loud.

C. Acting – Just Acting.                      D. Summer Scenes.

18. Where is the text most probably from?

   A. Part of a brochure.                           B. An entertainment magazine.

   C. A newspaper.                                   D. A guide book.