Britain is a nation of drama lovers and in the land that brought you Shakespeare, you’ll never be far from some of the best and most various theatres in the world.

You could start with the shows and musicals in London’s historic “Theatreland” where 40 theatres draw your attention. Or, if Shakespeare’s more your thing, head straight to the impressive recreation of Shakespeare’s Elizabethan Globe Theatre on the south bank of the River Thames. His birthplace at Stratford-upon-Avon, home to the internationally famous Royal Shakespeare Company, is also a must-see.

London is also home to the Royal Opera House where world-class opera takes place in a beautiful setting and Sadler’s Wells Theatre, the dance centre in the UK where you can catch everything from flamenco to hip-hop.

Elsewhere, the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, housed in a wonderful former Cotton Exchange building, is known for first-rate classic and modern productions, while Birmingham’s REP theatre is fully worth its reputation（名誉）as a centre for excellent drama.

Scotland’s capital is best known for the arts jamboree（艺术狂欢节）that is the yearly Edinburgh Festivals. Visit Edinburgh at any time of year and you’ll find a world-class theatre. The Edinburgh Festival Theatre has the biggest stage of any other theatre in Britain and is the place for Edinburgh’s most well-regarded shows.

Glasgow is home to Scottish Opera, the Scottish Ballet and the National Theatre of Scotland. Head to the Citizens Theatre to watch the excellent contemporary（当代的）drama.

If you’re in Cardiff, a visit to the Wales Millennium Centre is a must. It hosts everything from touring West End musicals to ballets and modern dance in a high-tech building that’s worth a look in itself. If you don’t have time for a show, have a drink in the bar. Free concerts are held daily in the front hall.

【小题1】What is the main purpose of the passage?

A．To introduce some theatres in Britain.

B．To provide free concerts for drama lovers.

C．To advertise Royal Shakespeare Company.

D．To introduce tourist activities in Britain.

【小题2】What does the underlined part “if Shakespeare’s more your thing” mean?

A．if you have learned a lot about Shakespeare

B．if the drama has no relation with Shakespeare

C．if you are really interested in Shakespeare

D．if Shakespeare has a great influence on you

【小题3】Where can you enjoy the hip-hop?

A．Sadler’s Wells Theatre.	B．Royal Exchange Theatre.
C．National Theatre of Scotland.	D．Citizens Theatre.

【小题4】If you want to visit the biggest stage in Britain, you can go to ______________.

A．London	B．Manchester
C．Edinburgh	D．Glasgow

【小题5】What can you see in Cardiff?

A．Shakespeare’s birthplace.	B．The Cotton Exchange building.
C．A world-class theatre.	D．A high-tech building.

   Apart from decoration purposes, the paint symbols  were mainly used during wars to express secret messages to the other members of the tribe. Native Indians believed that the designs that they painted had certain magical power that would protect them. The symbols were a reflection of the happenings and events during a war.Given below are the different symbols with  their meanings.

Eye of a Medicine Man Symbol It was a very powerful symbol thatrepresented the medicine man or shaman.The outer（外部的）lines indicated the four directions. The inner lines showed the spirit world and the dot in the center meant the eye of the medicine man and his spiritual vision.

Lightning Symbol It was a common symbol that wasseen painted on the face or across the forehead of almost all the soldiers. It was believed that itbrought power and speed to the wearer. A lightning symbol also symbolized the thunderbird , which brought lightni ng.

Four Ages of Man Symbol It indicated four stages of a man's life. They were childhood, youth and adolescence , maturity  in middle age, and wisdom in old age.

Indian Camp Symbol It indicated an Indian village that consisted of tent-like houses made of wood and animal skins. It was easy to build and dismantle（拆卸）quickly.

Homecoming Symbol It indicated the return of soldiers and ceremonies were held to welcome the brave soldiers.

 

So, these were a few war paint symbols along with their meanings. These were some of the widespread symbols. Each and every tribe had different symbols and colors , which indicated different things. They were not only used during wars, but also for hunting and decorations.

【小题1】The native Indians may disagree that the paint symbols can be used to __________ .

A．share secret messages among tribe members

B．protect tribe members with magical power

C．reflect the events happening during wars

D．prevent tribe members from being attacked by insects

【小题2】A soldier may use a lightning symbol to __________ .

A．gain strength and speed

B．show his courage and bravery

C．celebrate his narrow escape

D．show off his victory over enemies

【小题3】Which symbol represents different periods of human beings?

A．Homecoming Symbol.

B．Lightning Symbol.

C．Four Ages of Man Symbol.

D．Indian Camp Symbol.

【小题4】What is the main idea of the passage?

A．Native Indian war paint symbols and their meanings.

B．Meanings and symbolism of different war paint colors.

C．Widespread symbols are of great use during wars.

D．Different colors and symbols indicate different

语法填空

Located in the Pacific，Fiji attractions bring together the traditional world and the modern world in a unique 【小题1】（combine）. Here you will find luxury resorts and hotels，historic sites，surfing and diving；another attraction is the island tour by small plane，bus or boat.

The archipelago（群岛）consists of 332 islands，of 【小题2】 226are uninhabited due to lack of drinking water or too little space. Sunny，unique and undamaged，Fiji attractions 【小题3】（be）one thousand miles of pure white sand，lovely coral gardens and blue lagoons.

According to the legends of the great Fijian chief，Lutunasobasoba 【小题4】（pass）with people across the sea to the new land of Fiji. And most scientists agree 【小题5】 the idea that local people came here from Southeast Asian tourist attractions via Indonesia. Europeans discovered the islands 【小题6】（accident）in the 17th century.

The first visitors from the continent there were shipwrecked（遭遇海难）and 【小题7】（escape）criminals. Sandalwood traders and missionaries began later to visit the islands. Nature in Fiji attracts many 【小题8】（tourist）to the islands. 【小题9】 you are interested in customs，traditions and crafts of local people，do not forget 【小题10】（visit）Fiji attractions and the National Museum of Fiji.

   The New Caledonian barrier reef (堡礁) is located in New Caledonia in the South Pacific, and is the second longest coral reef in the world, after the Belize Barrier Reef.

The New Caledonian barrier reef surrounds Grande Terre, New Caledonia’s largest island, as well as the lie des Pins and several smaller islands, reaching a length of 1,500 km. The reef encloses (围住) a lake of 24,000 square kilometers, which has an average depth of 25 meters. The reefs lie up to 30 kilometers from the shore, but extend almost 200 km to the Entrecasteaux reefs in the northwest. This northwestern extension encloses the Belep Islands. Several natural passages open out to the ocean. The Boulari passage, which leads to Noumea, the capital and chief port of New Caledonia, is marked by the Am6d6e lighthouse. The reef has various species, and is home to endangered dugongs, a kind of sea animal, and is an important living site for green sea turtles.

Most of the reefs are generally thought to be in good health. Some of the eastern reefs have been damaged by waste water from nickel mining (镍开采) on Grande Terre. The waste from mining and agriculture has affected reefs near river mouths, which have been worsened by the destruction of forests, which help to keep waste. Some reefs have been buried under several meters of waste.

In January 2002, the French government proposed listing New Caledonia’s reefs as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later on, UNESCO listed the New Caledonian barrier reef on the World Heritage List on 7, July 2008.

【小题1】What can be learned according to the passage?

A．New Caledonia only has one large island named Grande Terre.

B．The New Caledonian barrier reef is 25 meters under the sea surface.

C．Noumea is the chief port of Grande Terre.

D．The Belize Barrier Reef is the longest coral reef in the world.

【小题2】If you travel to the New Caledonian barrier reef with a travel agent, your guide may tell you that __________ .

A．dugongs are well protected from being endangered

B．the Boulari passage is famous for the Am6dee lighthouse

C．the green sea turtle is in danger because of the pollution

D．human beings take no measures to protect the environment here

【小题3】Some of the New Caledonia’s reefs have been damaged mainly because of __________ .

A．humans’ activities	B．natural disasters
C．the earth’s movement	D．their own development

【小题4】Where is this article most probably taken from?

A．A geographical report.	B．A newspaper.
C．A travel guidebook.	D．A fashion magazine.

London’s newest skyscraper (摩天大楼)is called the Shard and it cost about 430 million pounds to build. At a height of almost 310 metres, it is the tallest building in Europe. The Shard has completely changed the appearance of London. However, not everyone thinks that it is a change for the better.
The Shard was designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano. When he began designing the Shard for London, Piano wanted a very tall building that looked like a spire (尖顶)• He wanted the glass surfaces to reflect the sky and the city. The sides of the building aren’t regular. So the building has an unusual shape. It looks like a very thin，sharp piece of broken glass. And that is how the building got the name: the Shard. Piano says that the spire shape of the Shard is part of a great London tradition. The shape reminds him of the spires of the churches of London or the tall masts (桅杆）of the ships that were once on the river Thames.
The Shard has 87 floors. At the top, there is an observatory. At the moment the building is empty, but eventually there will be a five-star hotel. There will also be top quality restaurants, apartments and offices.
Before building work began, a lot of people didn’t want the Shard though the plans were approved. Now they are still unhappy about the Shard. Some critics say that such a tall skyscraper might be good in a city like New York, but not in London. They say that the best thing about the Shard is its spire shape. But that is the only thing. There is no decoration, only flat surfaces. The Egyptians did that 4,500 years ago. They also think the Shard is too big for London. It destroys the beauty of the city.
Other critics don’t like what the Shard seems to represent. They say that the Shard shows how London is becoming more unequal. Only very rich people can afford to buy the expensive private apartments and stay in the hotel. But the people who live near the Shard are among the poorest in London. So the Shard seems a symbol of the division in society between the very rich and the poor.
The Shard now dominates the London skyline. It is not certain, however, that ordinary London citizens will ever accept it as a valuable addition to the city.
【小题1】London’s newest skyscraper is called the Shard because of ._____

A．its cost

B．its size

C．its shape

D．its height

【小题2】When he designed the Shard, Piano wanted it to _____

A．change London’s skyline

B．inherit London’s tradition

C．imitate the Egyptian style

D．attract potential visitors

【小题3】The critics who refer to social division think the Shard_______ .

A．is only preferred by the rich

B．is intended for wealthy people

C．is far away from the poor area

D．is popular only with Londoners

【小题4】Which would be the best title for the passage?

A．The Shard: Cheers and Claps

B．The Shard: Work of a Great Architect

C．The Shard: New Symbol of London?

D．The Shard: A Change for the Better?