2017年英语专四阅读理解练习试题及答案

2017年英语专四阅读理解练习试题及答案

There are many theories about the beginning of drama in

ancient Greece. The one most widely accepted today is based

on the assumption that drama evolved from ritual. The

argument for this view goes as follows. In the beginning,

human beings viewed the natural forces of the world, even the

seasonal changes, as unpredictable, and they sought through

various means, to control these unknown and feared powers.

Those measures which appeared to bring the desired results

were then retained and repeated until they hardened into

fixed rituals. Eventually stories arose which explained or veiled

the mysteries of the rites. As time passed some rituals were

abandoned, but the stories, later called myths, persisted and

provided material for art and drama.

Those who believed that drama evolved out of ritual also

argue that those rites contained the seed of theater because

music, dance, masks, and costumes were almost always used.

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Furthermore, a suitable site had to be provided for

performances, and when the entire community did not

participate, a clear division was usually made between the

"acting area" and the "auditorium". In addition, there were

performers, and, since considerable importance was attached

to avoiding mistakes in the enactment of rites, religious

leaders usually assumed that task. Wearing masks and

costumes, they often impersonated other people, animals, or

supernatural beings, and mimed the desired effect-success in

hunt or battle, the coming rain, the revival of the Sun-as an

actor might. Eventually such dramatic representations were

separated from religious activities.

Another theory traces the theater’s origin from the

human interest in storytelling. According to this view, tales

(about the hunt, war, or other feats) are gradually elaborated,

at first through the use of impersonation, action, and dialogue

by a narrator and then through the assumption of each of the

roles by a different person. A closely related theory traces

theater to those dances that are primarily rhythmical and

gymnastic or that are imitations of animal movements and

sounds.

1. What does the passage mainly discuss?

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A. The origins of theater. B. The role of ritual in modern

dance.

C. The importance of storytelling. D. The variety of early

religious activities.

2. What aspect of drama does the author discuss in the

first paragraph??

A. The reason drama is often unpredictable.

B. The seasons in which dramas were performed.

C. The connection between myths and dramatic plots.

D. The importance of costumes in early drama.

3. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a common

element of theater and ritual?

A. Dance.?B. Costumes.?C. Music.?D. Magic.

4. According to the passage, what is the main difference

between ritual and drama?

A. Ritual uses music whereas drama does not.

B. Ritual is shorter than drama.

C. Ritual requires fewer performers than drama.

D. Ritual has a religious purpose and drama does not.

5. The passage supports which of the following

statements?

A. No one really knows how the theater began.

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B. Myths are no longer represented dramatically.

C. Storytelling is an important part of dance.

D. Dramatic activities require the use of costumes.

答案解析：

1. A) 这是一道主旨题。根据文章第一句“There are many

theories about the beginning of drama in ancient Greece.”及第三段第一句“Another theory traces the theater’s origin from

the human interest in storytelling.”可知本文是讨论戏剧的起源的。故选项A为正确答案。

2. C) 这也是一道主旨题。本题可用排除法来做。通过阅读第一段，首先很明显可将选项B和D排除;选项A(戏剧无法预测的原因)也不正确，故只有选项C(神话与戏剧情节的联系)为正确答案。

3. D) 这是一道细节题。在做本题时要注意题干中的NOT。通过阅读文章很明显选项D Magic 为正确答案。

4. D) 根据文章第二段可知尽管有人说戏剧起源于宗教仪式，但是它们还是有区别的，例如：戏剧演出“performances”要有合适的演出地点;戏剧表演时，“表演区”(“acting area”)和“观看区”( “auditorium”)有明显的分界线，另外表演戏剧还要有演员。而宗教仪式在进行过程中为了避免犯错误都是由宗教来进行，由他们戴上面具，穿上服装来模仿其他人，动物或超自然的东西，做出一些动作以求达到一些目的，例如：在打猎或战斗中取得胜利，祈雨等。由此可判断宗教仪式都有一定的宗教目的，而戏剧却没有，这正符合选4

项D。

5. A) 通过阅读文章可知，选项A 为正确答案。

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