Today，we complete our story about the influential English writer William Shakespeare.He wrote plays and poems during the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries，which remain very popular today.　

　　During earlier times，people would probably have learned several ancient Roman and Greek plays.It was not unusual for writers to produce more current versions of these works.For example，in Shakespeare's play “The Comedy of Errors”，Shakespeare borrowed certain details from the ancient Roman writer Plautus.For his play “Macbeth”，Shakespeare most likely used a work on Scottish history by Raphael Holinshed for information.Shakespeare might have borrowed from other writers，but the intensity of his imagination and language made the plays his own.While many plays by other writers of his time have been forgotten，Shakespeare and his art live on.

　　Shakespeare was also influenced by the world around him.He described the sights and sounds of London in his plays.His works include observations about political struggles，the fear of diseases，and the popular language of the city's tradesmen.Shakespeare's knowledge of the English countryside is also clear.His works include descriptions of deep forests，local flowers，and the ancient popular traditions of rural people.

　　It would be impossible to list all of the ways in which Shakespeare's works have influenced the world culture.But the first and greatest example would be his great influence on the English language.During his time，the English language was changing.Many new words from other languages were being added.Shakespeare used his sharp mind and poetic (富诗意的) inventiveness to create hundreds of new words and rework old ones.For example，he created the noun forms of “critic” ，“mountaineer” and “eyeball”.Many common expressions in English come from his plays，including “pomp and circumstance(隆重的仪式)” from “Othello” ，“full circle (绕圈子)” from “King Lear”，etc.The list of cultural creations influenced by Shakespeare is almost endless.From paintings to television to music and dance，Shakespeare was well represented.Shakespeare's plays have been translated into every major language in the world.

　　Shakespeare became a well­known writer during a golden age of theater.His years of hard work paid off.

　　1.What can we infer from the passage?

　　A.Many of Shakespeare's works were influenced by earlier writings.

　　B.Shakespeare was hard­working when he was a student.

　　C.The experience of living in London helped a lot with Shakespeare's works.

　　D.Shakespeare became rich later because of the popularity of his works.

　　2.Shakespeare might have learnt some information from ancient Roman works in________.www-2-1-cnjy-com

　　A.“King Lear”　 B.“The Comedy of Errors”

　　C.“Macbeth” D.“Othello”

　　3.Shakespeare's greatest influence should be on ________.

　　A.the English language

　　B.paintings

　　C.television

　　D.music and dance

　　4.The passage is mainly about________.

　　A.an introduction to Shakespeare's life and his works

　　B.the main features and styles of Shakespeare's plays

　　C.how culture influenced Shakespeare and he influenced culture

　　D.Shakespeare's greatest influence on the world culture

　　Whether you're studying for a test，reviewing paperwork for your job，or trying to understand a journal article，reading comprehension is involved in.Unfortunately，when the reading material is difficult，our reading comprehension can suffer.Learning to comprehend what you read can help you prevent wasting time as well as make you more productive(富有成效的) on the job or at school.

　　The things you already know are important for understanding things you're going to learn.Before you begin reading something on a new topic，think about what you already know about it and how what you are reading might build upon that.

　　Since kindergarten，we've all been told to keep a dictionary nearby when reading，but few of us follow this advice.If you are not absolutely certain of the meaning of a word，look it up.You'll not only make reading easier;you'll also improve your vocabulary.

　　If you are reading especially challenging material，try taking notes.If you write while you are reading，reading will become boring and your comprehension will go downhill.Instead，make an outline at the end of each paragraph or sentence.

　　Someone thinks that speed reading is very popular，and certainly has its place.However，from my point of view，it's a terrible idea if you want to learn.Besides，speed reading will cost you more time because you will have to go back and review if you understand what you have read quickly.Focus on quality reading rather than quick reading，and take frequent breaks if you begin to get distracted(注意力分散的).

　　When reading something boring，it's easy to just read the words without even understanding what they mean.At such times，just find a way to relate to the material.Write down questions，and look up concepts online to get alternative perspectives.Your comprehension will improve and you'll be less likely to need to reread.

　　5.The passage is intended to teach students how to ________.

　　A.form good study habits

　　B.take notes when reading books

　　C.improve reading comprehension

　　D.treat their reading homework properly

　　6.The author suggests that when reading books we should ________.

　　A.refuse to use a dictionary

　　B.think about what we know

　　C.pay more attention to new topics

　　D.practise speed reading first

　　7. According to the passage，what's the author's attitude towards speed reading?

　　A.Curious. B.Positive.

　　C.Unconcerned. D.Opposed.

　　8. What should we do if we come across some boring materials?

　　A.Ignore new words.

　　B.Make every effort to understand it.

　　C.Read it without understanding.

　　D.Ask for help from others.

　　Pride and Prejudice for the Modern Woman Let us imagine how Pride and Prejudice，Jane Austen's most famous work，might be updated,200 years on.

　　Austen's popularity is rooted in her intelligence.But today she would certainly have had a very different life，as would her characters.Here's my own suggestion...

　　It is a truth finally and universally acknowledged that a single woman with brains deserves to have equal opportunities to men，however disadvantaged she may feel by sexism.

　　“My dear husband，”said his hopeful wife one day，“have you heard that the local store，standing empty for so long，is taken over by a bright young businesswoman?”

　　Her dull and indifferent(漠不关心的) husband replied that he had not.

　　“But it is，it is，” she replied excitedly.

　　Mr Dull­Husband made no reply.

　　“Don't you want to know her plans?” she cried with some impatience.

　　“Well，clearly you think it matters to your silly little head...so I'd better listen.”

　　“Well，my dear，the rumour(传言) is that she has already set up a string of successful businesses in northern England，though how_a_woman_can_know_ anything_about_that_is_beyond_me.She will move in herself next month.”

　　“What is her name?”

　　“Bingley.”

　　“Is she married or single?”

　　“What a question! And none of your business.But her coming will be a fine thing for our five boys.”2-1-c-n-j-y

　　“How so? How can it possibly affect them?”

　　“My dear love: those lazy boys need something to wake them up.There are bound to be jobs going.”

　　“Is that her point in settling here? Surely as a woman she has simply taken a fancy to the place.”21cnjy.com

　　“Nonsense，my love，how little you've noticed the world has changed.She's got a first­rate degree and some sort of business qualification，I'm told.She surely needs one of our boys! Perhaps you might give her a call.”

　　“Me? No.Perhaps you can take an interest.You still have your looks，after all.She may even offer you a job.”

　　“Oh，that's not likely.These new chances belong to the younger generation.But now you mention it，I think I'll go along all the same.”

　　And Mrs Bennet went along.That was 10 years ago.She is now managing director of a FTSE­listed company.

　　...It would remain the case，of course，that Mrs Bennet would be one of very few women on the company board，that her salary would be lower than her male colleagues，her bonus of a more “female” dimension and her lifespan (年限) among the city's business leaders shorter than theirs.Still，she'd no doubt have enjoyed Davos-and might even have hobnobbed(攀谈) with influential figures.

　　9.Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

　　A.Austen was born 200 years ago.

　　B.Austen rewrote Pride and Prejudice.

　　C.Austen's success lies in her wisdom.

　　D.Austen's updated work gains popularity.

　　10.The underlined part in the passage suggests that Mrs Bennet ________.

　　A.had mixed feelings of admiration and surprise about Bingley

　　B.felt kind of worried and doubtful about Bingley

　　C.was extremely anxious to meet Bingley

　　D.had a great curiosity about Bingley

　　11.In the eyes of Mrs Bennet，Bingley surely needed one of their boys to ________.

　　A.get married to B.work for her

　　C.help her move in D.take over her store

　　12.What does the writer intend to tell us?

　　A.Women with brains can also be as successful as men.

　　B.Women have to pay a high price for success.

　　C.A judgment must be made free from prejudice.

　　D.Sex discrimination still exists nowadays.

　　Only in that way can we benefit from them.

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