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1995年8月托福考试阅读理解全真考题（下）

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1995年8月托福考试阅读理解全真试题（下）

Questions 31-40 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 believe 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.

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

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. 31. What does the passage many discuss? The origins of theater

The role of ritual in modern dance

The importance of storytelling

The variety of early religious activities. 32. The word they in line 6 refers to seasonal changes

natural forces

theories

human beings 33. What aspect of drama does the author discuss in the first paragraph? The reason drams is often unpredictable

The seasons in which dramas were performed

The connection between myths and dramatic plots

The importance of costumes in early drama 34. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a common element of theater and ritual? Dance

Costumes

Music

Magic 35. The word considerable in line 21 is closest in meaning to thoughtful

substantial

relational

ceremonial 36. The word enactment in line 22 is closest in meaning to establishment

performance

authorization

season 37. The word they in line 23 refers to mistakes

costumes

animals

performers 38. According to the passage， what is the main difference between ritual and drama? Ritual uses music whereas drama does not.

Ritual is shorter than drama.

Ritual requires fewer performers than drama.

Ritual has a religious purpose and drama does not. 39. The passage supports which of the following statements? No one really knows how the theater began

Myths are no longer represented dramatically.

Storytelling is an important part of dance

Dramatic activities require the use of costumes. 40. Where in the passage does the author discuss the separation of the stage and the audience? Lines 8-9

Lines 12-14

Lines 19-20

Lines 22-24

Questions 41-50 Staggering tasks confronted the people of the United

States， North and South， when the Civil war ended. About a

million and a half soldiers from both sides had to be demobilized，

readjusted to civilian life， and reabsorbed by the devastated

economy. Civil government also had to be put back on a

peacetime basis and interference from the military had to be

stopped. The desperate plight of the South has eclipsed the fact

that reconstruction had to be undertaken also in the North，

though less spectacularly. Industries had to adjust to peacetime

conditions， factories had to be retooled for civilian needs. Financial problems loomed large in both the North and

the South. The national debt had shot up from a modest $65

million in 1861， the year the ear started to nearly $3 billion

in 1865， the year the war ended. This was a colossal sum for

those days but one that a prudent government could pay. At

the same time， war taxes had to be reduced to less burdensome

levels. Physical devastation caused by invading armies， chiefly in

the South and border states， had to be repaired. This herculean

task was ultimately completed， but with discouraging

slowness. Other important questions needed answering. What

would be the future of the four million black people who were

freed from slavery? On what basis were the Southern states to

be brought back into the Union? What of the Southern leaders， all of whom were liable to

charges of treason? One of these leaders， Jefferson Davis，

President of the Southern Confederacy， was the subject of an

insulting popular Northern song，Hang Jeff Davis from a Sour

Apple Tree. And even children sang it. Davis was temporarily

chained in his prison cell during the early days of his two-

year imprisonment. But he and the other Southern leaders

were finally released， partly because it was unlikely that a jury

from Virginia， a Southern Confederate state， would convict

them. All the leaders were finally pardoned by President Johnson

in 1868 in an effort to help reconstruction efforts proceed

with as little bitterness as possible. 41. What does the passage mainly discuss? Wartime expenditures

Problems facing the United States after the war

Methods of repairing the damage caused by the war

The results of government efforts to revive the economy 42. The word Staggering in line 1 is closest in meaning to specialized

confusing

various

overwhelming 43. The word devastated in line 4 is closest in meaning to developing

ruined

complicated

fragile 44. According to the passage， which of the following statements about the damage in the South is correct? It was worse than in the North.

The cost was less than expected

It was centered in the border states.

It was remedied rather quickly. 45. The passage refers to all of the following as necessary steps following the Civil War EXCEPT helping soldiers readjust

restructuring industry

returning government to normal

increasing taxes 46. The word task in line 21 refers to raising the tax level

sensible financial choices

worse decisions about former slaves

reconstruction of damaged areas 47. Why does the author mention a popular song in lines 30? To give attitude towards the South

To illustrate the Northern love of music

To emphasize the cultural differences between the North and the South

To compare the Northern and Southern presidents 48. The word them in line 36 refers to charges

leaders

days

irons 49. Which of the following can be inferred from the phrase _____it was unlikely that a jury from Virginia . a Southern Confederate state ，would convict them ? Virginians felt betrayed by Jefferson Davis

A popular song insulted Virginians

Virginians were loyal to their leaders

All of the Virginia military leaders had been put in chains. 50. It can be inferred from the passage that President Johnson pardoned the Southern leaders in order to raise money for the North

repair the physical damage in the South

prevent Northern leaders from punishing more Southerners

help the nation recover from the war

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