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Minutes after the last movie ended yesterday at the Plaza Theater, employees were busy sweeping up popcorns and gathering coke cups. It was a scene that had been repeated many times in the theater’s 75-year history. This time, however, the cleanup was a little different. As one group of workers carried out the rubbish, another group began removing seats and other theater equipment in preparation for the building’s end.
The film classic The Last Picture Show was the last movie shown in the old theater. Though the movie is 30 years old, most of the 250 seats were filled with teary-eyed audience wanting to say good-bye to the old building. Theater owner Ed Bradford said he chose the movie because it seemed proper. The movie is set in a small town where the only movie theater is preparing to close down.
Bradford said that large modem theaters in the city made it impossible for the Plaza to compete. He added that the theater’s location (位置) was also a reason. “This used to be the center of town,” he said. “Now the area is mostly office buildings and warehouses.”
Last week some city officials suggested the city might be interested in turning the old theater into a museum and public meeting place. However, these plans were given up because of financial problems. Bradford sold the building and land to a local development firm, which plans to build a shopping complex on the land where the theater is located.
The theater audience said good-bye as Bradford locked the doors for the last time. After 75 years the Plaza Theater has shown its last movie. The theater will be missed.
1.In what way was yesterday’s cleanup at the Plaza special?
A.It made room for new equipment.
B.It signaled the closedown of the theater.
C.It was done with the help of the audience.
D.It marked the 75th anniversary of the theater.
2.Why was The Last Picture Stow put on?
A.It was an all-time classic.
B.It was about the history of the town.
C.The audience requested it.
D.The theater owner found it suitable.
3.What will probably happen to the building?
A.It will be repaired.
B.It will be turned into a museum.
C.It will be knocked down.
D.It will be sold to the city government.
4.What can we infer about the audience?
A.They are disappointed with Bradford.
B.They are sad to say goodbye to the old theater.
C.They are supportive of the city officials.
D.They are keen to have a shopping center.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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THE 2019 NATIONAL BALLOON CLASSIC: July 26th - August 3rd
FOR 9 DAYS EVERY SUMMER, IOWA SKIES COME ALIVE as nearly 100 hot air balloons paint the town with brilliant colors and charming special shapes. Don’t miss a moment of the excitement as skilled pilots compete for points and prizes every morning and every evening. Great family fun and unbelievable entertainment value await you at the Memorial Balloon Field. Just sit back and enjoy the beautiful countryside as you listen to live music during the evening balloon flights. Grab a bite to eat, take the children to Kids Land, buy a balloon ride for a one-of-a-kind view, and prepare to be amazed as dark skies come alive with a mystical light during Dawn Patrols and Nite Glows.
1.When could people attend the National Balloon Classic in 2019?
A.July 3rd. B.July 25th.
C.August 1st D.August 26th.
2.What can people do on the National Balloon Classic?
A.Buy a balloon.
B.Take a balloon ride.
C.Paint balloons with colors.
D.Compete in a balloon flight.
3.What can we learn about the admission?
A.Children are free of charge for entry.
B.People can only pay cash for admission.
C.People should print online tickets before entry.
D.People can call 815-777-2747 for further information.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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When I was 17, I read a magazine article about a museum called the McKay, once the home of a watercolorist named Marian McKay. She had requested the community to tum it into a museum upon her death. On a sunny Saturday, Sally and I drove over to the museum. She asked, "Do you have the address? ""No, but I'll recognize it, there was a picture in the magazine. "
"Oh, stop. There it is!”
The museum was free. We entered, excited. A group of people sitting in the hall stopped talking and stared at us.
"May I help you?" a man asked. "No, "I said. "We're fine.” Tour guides got on my nerves. What if they talked a long time about a painting you weren't that interested in? Sally had gone upstairs. The people in the hall seemed very nosy(爱窥探的), keeping their eyes on me with curiosity. What was their problem? I saw some nice sculptures in one room. Suddenly I sensed a man standing behind me. "Where do you think you are? " he asked. I turned sharply. "The McKay Art Museum!" He smiled, shaking his head. "Sorry, the McKay is on New Braunfels Street." "What’s this place?” I asked, still confused. "Well, it's our home." My heart jolted(震颤). I raced to the staircase and called out, "Sally! Come down immediately! "
"There are some really good artworks up there." She stepped down, looking confused. I pushed her toward the front door, waving at the family, saying, "Sorry, please forgive us, you have a really nice place." Outside, when I told Sally what happened, she covered her mouth, laughing. She couldn't believe how long they let us look around without saying anything.
Thirty years later, a woman came up to me in a public place. “Excuse me, did you ever enter a residence, long ago, thinking it was the McKay Museum?”
"Yes. But how do you know? We never told anyone. "
"That was my home. I was a teenager sitting in the hall. Before you came over, I never realized what a beautiful place I lived in. I never felt lucky before. You thought it was a museum. My feelings about my home changed after that. I've always wanted to thank you."
1.What do we know about Marian McKay?
A.She was a painter. B.She was a community leader.
C.She was a museum director. D.She was a reporter.
2.Why did the author refuse the help from the man in the house?
A.She disliked people who were nosy. B.She felt nervous when talking to strangers.
C.She knew more about art than the man. D.She mistook him for a tour guide.
3.How did the author feel about being stared at by the people in the hall?
A.Puzzled. B.Concerned.
C.Frightened. D.Pleased.
4.What could we learn from the last paragraph?
A.People should have good taste to enjoy life.
B.People should spend more time with their family.
C.People always turn blind to the beauty around them.
D.People like to educate teenagers at a museum.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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Researchers found animals lovers exercise their pet twice a day for 24 minutes each time --- a total of five hours and 36 minutes a week. On top of that, the average dog owner also takes part pet out to take three long walks each week adding another two hours and 33 minutes to the total. But those without a dog spend an average of just one hour and 20 minutes per week exercising by going to the gym or heading out for a walk or jog. And almost half of non-pet owners admit they take no exercise.
A spokesperson said the difference between the two was that going to the gym can feel like a boring task while dog-walking can be far more enjoyable. “Having a couple of short walks every day soon adds up and this research shows that it amounts to more time than people spend in the gym,” he said. And gym goers exercise inside an air-conditioned gym, while dog walkers are able to jog for miles and enjoy fresh air when admiring the Great British countryside.”
The study of 5,000 people, including 3,000 dog owners, showed that 57 percent of those considered walking the dog as their main form of exercise. More three quarters said they would rather take their dog for a walk than go to the gym. A total of 86 percent said they enjoyed taking their pet out each day, with just 22 percent saying they sometimes saw it as a boring task. But only 16 percent of respondents said they enjoyed exercising in the gym, while almost 70 percent considered it a boring task.
The survey shows that having a dog to walk actually encourages regular exercise, with 60 percent of pet owners saying they always go for a walk with their dog --- even when time is valuable.
1.How long do dog owners walk their dog on average each week according to the study?
A.One hour and 20 minutes B.Five hours and 36 minutes
C.Two hours and 33 minutes D.Eight hours and 9 minutes
2.What can we learn from Paragraph 2?
A.Walking a dog can be tiring sometimes.
B.Walking a dog is more enjoyable than exercising in the gym.
C.People prefer to exercise in the gym rather than walk a dog.
D.Taking exercise in the gym can be very comfortable.
3.What does the underlined word “respondents” in paragraph 3 mean?
A.Dog walkers. B.Pet owners.
C.Gym goers. D.Study participants.
4.What is the main idea of this passage?
A.People without a pet usually go to the gym.
B.Pet owners spend no time exercising in the gym.
C.Dog owners usually get more exercise than gym goers.
D.People do exercise either by walking a dog or going to the gym.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析