Ballet NY

Dancing can provide an outstanding cardiovascular (心血管的) workout, but this week the members of Ballet NY come to Pittshurgh to dance for people whose hearts need help. The performance will benefit the Artificial Heart Program of the Heart, Lung and Esophageal Surgery Institute of UPMC. Ballet NY was founded 10 years ago by former New York City Ballet principal ballerina Judith Fugate and internationally famous dancer Medhi Bahiri, and former members of top dance companies. The performance starts at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Byham Theater, Downtown.

Admission: $35~$125.

The top price includes post-concert coffee and dessert reception with the dancers.

Details: 412-453-7777.

Classic rock, literally

Mannheim Steamroller will bring a breath of “Fresh Air” to the Benedum Center, Downtown, Monday. The band, which blends (交融) classical and rock influences with electronic and ancient instruments, is on the road in its “Fresh Air” tour. The name comes from a series of eight albums with that title. Music begins at 8 p.m.

Admission: $40, &50 or $60.

Details: 412-456-6666.

Expansive endeavors

Outdoors adventure goes beyond fun. It is a way of encountering the weakness of our existence and seeing ourselves as rather small creatures after all. The Banff Mountain Film Festival helps us see that with movies that also are just downright good. Sponsored here by Venture Outdoors, the festival will be at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Byham Theatre, Downtown, with different films each night.

Admission: $10, or $15 for both nights, in advance; $15 at the door.

Details: 412-255-0564.

In bloom

Children with spring fever (春倦症) can find an outlet on Saturday at the Frick Art& Historical Center, which is hosting “Green Kids—What’s up?” The program brings children aged 4-8 into the garden on Frick’s Point Breeze grounds, so that they can see what flowers are coming up in the early spring. The program, which runs 11-11:45 a.m., is free and includes an interactive tour and take-home activity. Meet in the Visitors’ Center at the Frick, 7227 Reynolds St., Point Breeze.

Details: 412-371-0600.

64. Where can you enjoy a program free of charge?

  A.       Classical rock, literally.         B. Expansive endeavors.        C. In bloom.   D. Ballet NY.

65. If a person with heart problem goes to Ballet NY, he will _________.

  A. enjoy some wonderful dances                  B. be cured of his illness      

C. dance on the stage                                    D. drink coffee for free

66. If you are a music fan, you should go to _________.

  A. Expansive endeavors     B. Classical rock, literally      C. Ballet NY           D. In bloom

67. If three adults go straight to the Byham Theatre and buy tickets just before the festival starts, how much will they spend?

A. $40.                                   B. $30.                                C. $45.                  D. $35.

“It's no use，Mum，” said Johnny．“I'm just no good at dancing．”

“You've got to keep trying．Tonight will be ___1___，dear．Try a turn with that pretty Lisette．”

Johnny ___2___．Every Saturday night used to be the best of the week．He and his parents went to the ___3___ at the Club，where his hero，Alcide，played the accordion（手风琴）with the band．But lately everything had changed．Now that Johnny was older，he was __4___ to dance with a girl!

___5___ Johnny and his parents arrived at the Club，music had already started．Johnny got up his ___6___ to approach Lisette．“May I have this dance?” Johnny asked．“That's all right，” said Lisette．Johnny struggled to keep up with Lisette's ___7___ steps，but he was always one beat behind her．Then Johnny heard his friend Pierre say，“Look! Johnny has two left feet!” ___8___ burst from the crowd．Johnny ___9___ and ran outside，determined never to go to another dance．

The next Saturday，Alcide ___10___ to Johnny's house for some potatoes．He happened to hear Johnny playing the accordion．Alcide's eyes ___11___．“Bring that accordion and play some songs tonight，” Alcide said．Then he drove off，leaving Johnny staring openmouthed ___12___ him．

At the Club，Johnny scanned the crowd for Lisette and ___13___ her．The band played for a long time before Alcide said，“Dear friends，I got a ___14___ for you tonight．Young Johnny is going to join us!” ___15___，Johnny stepped up on the platform，his eyes on the floor．He began to play，and the band ___16___ behind him．When the song ended，he heard cheers．Johnny kept playing until the dance was ___17___．“You did a fine job tonight．Play with us again next Saturday night，” Alcide said．“Yes，sir!” said Johnny．___18___ he went outside，Johnny saw Lisette and her friends near the door．Lisette stepped ___19___，smiling．“You played really good tonight!” she said．

“Thank you，” Johnny blushed（脸红）．As he walked on，Pierre ___20___ moved out of the way for him to pass．

Johnny patted his accordion．Come to think of it，in his whole life，he had never once seen Alcide out on the dance floor．

1．A．difficult                   B．troublesome            C．different                 D．terrible

2．A．answered                 B．sighed                    C．smiled                    D．laughed

3．A．platform                  B．appointment            C．meeting                  D．dance

4．A．expected                  B．invited                    C．allowed                   D．chosen

5．A．If                            B．Since                     C．Though                  D．When

6．A．spirits                      B．feelings                  C．courage                 D．strength

7．A．smooth              B．clumsy                  C．slow                       D．small

8．A．Shouts                     B．Laughter               C．Applause               D．Cheers

9．A．broke away              B．went out               C．broke up               D．turned out

10．A．ran                        B．walked                   C．drove                            D．cycled

11．A．opened                   B．rolled                     C．sharpened              D．widened

12．A．off                        B．with                      C．after                             D．for

13．A．caught                  B．searched               C．sought                   D．spotted

14．A．surprise                  B．puzzle                    C．story                      D．joke

15．A．Struggling             B．Trembling              C．Wandering             D．Whispering

16．A．got round               B．joined in                 C．turned around          D．showed off

17．A．in                 B．out                         C．over                      D．on

18．A．As                          B．Because                  C．Until                       D．So

19．A．backward               B．forward                 C．onward                  D．downward

20．A．still                        B．even                      C．ever                      D．almost

       Ten Romantic New Year’s Resolutions to Improve Your Relationship.

RomanceStuck.com, an online resource for romance and relationships, offers 10 New Year’s resolutions for improving your relationship in 2008. Resolutions are usually about improving yourself as an individual. They're not often geared towards improving your relationship. This year, why not set a few romantic resolutions?

10 Romantic New Year's Resolutions to Improve your Relationship:

1. Set a monthly 'date night' and stick to it. Even if it's just dinner and a movie or a candle-lit dinner together at home, resolve to make time for each other this year.

2. Say "I Love You" every single day. These three small words carry so much meaning, yet they're never said often enough. Make sure that your partner knows you love and appreciate them every single day.

3. Put your love in writing. Nothing makes you feel warm like receiving a simple love note or a passionate love letter. Vow this year to put pen to paper and write your sweetie love notes, love poems, and love letters.

4. Bring back the spontaneity（惊喜）in your relationship! Try sending her flowers "just because". Buy him 2 tickets to a game of his favorite sport -- and go with him! Vow to surprise your partner at least once a month.

5. Get away from it all with a weekend get-away. Head to a cabin in the mountains or a relaxing SPA. It doesn't really matter where you go, as long as you go together and leave the interruptions behind.

6. Show your love each and every day. Give your partner compliments, hold hands, open doors, and engage in public displays of affection. It's the little things you do to show your love that always mean the most.

7. Shake up your romantic life with a little creativity. Create your own love coupon book with one coupon for your partner to redeem each week of the year. These little coupons can be as romantic, sexy, or practical as you want.

8. Have fun together! Take up a new hobby together this year. Join a softball team together, take cooking lessons, golf lessons, or dancing lessons. You'll not only learn something new, but you'll have fun with your partner at the same time!

9. Don't forget the little things. Make him lunch. Paint her toenails. Wash and wax his car. Do her weekly chores. It's the most practical way to show your love!

10. Get to know your partner better. Whether you're dating, just married, or celebrating your 25th anniversary, there is always more to learn about your partner -- and you can have fun doing it!

10．If you want to express your love in words, you’d better ________.

       A. say “I love you”.                                                 B. have a candle-dinner.

       C. give him/her a coupon.                                 D. put pen to paper.

11．How many the most practical ways are there to show your love?

       A. 4.                                   B. 6.       全品高考网                      C. 8.                                   D. 10.

12．Why had the lovers better have a weekend get-away?

       A. They lover nature.                                        B. Fresh air is good for their health.

       C. They have to get away.                                 D. They need relax and romance.

13．What do you think the purpose is that the Romance stuck..com gave the advice?

       A. To have fun.                                                B. To be creative.

       C. To improve relationships.         全品高考网               D. To encourage people date.