Motherhood is a career to respect

　　A WOMAN renewing her driver’s license at the CountyClerk’s office was asked to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

　　“What I mean is,” explained the recorder, “do you have a job, or are you just a...”

　　“Of course I have a job,” said Emily. “I’m a mother.”

　　“We don’t list ‘mother’ as an occupation... ‘housewife’ covers it,” said the recorder.

　　One day I found myself in the same situation. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, confident and possessed of a high sounding title. “What is your occupation?” she asked.

　　The words simply popped out. “I’m a Research Associate (研究員) in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.”

　　The clerk paused, ballpoint pen frozen in midair.

　　I repeated the title slowly, then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement (聲明) was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

　　“Might I ask,” said the clerk with interest, “just what you do in your field?”

　　Coolly, without any trace of panic in my voice, I heard myself reply, “I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn’t), in the laboratory and in the field (normally I would have said indoors and out). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to disagree?), and I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.”

　　There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she completed the form, stood up, and showed me out.

　　As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up (激勵(lì)) by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants – ages 13, 7, and 3.

　　Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model (a 6-month-old baby), in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

　　I felt proud! I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable (不可缺少的) to mankind than “just another mother.”

　　Motherhood... What a glorious career! Especially when there’s a title on the door.

How did the female clerk feel at first when the writer told her occupation?

　　A. Cold-hearted.　　　　B. Open-minded.

　　C. Puzzled. 　　　　　　D. Interested.

How many children does the writer have?

　　A. 3　　　 B. 4 　　　C. 7　　　 D. 13

Why did the woman clerk show more respect to the writer?

　　A. Because she thought the writer did admirable work.

　　B. Because the writer cared little about rewards.

　　C. Because the writer did something that she had little knowledge of.

　　D. Because she admired the writer's research work.

What is the point of the article?

　　A. To show that how you describe your job affects your feelings toward it.

　　B. To show that the writer had a grander job than Emily.

　　C. To argue that motherhood is a worthy career.

　　D. To show that being a mother is hard and boring work.

       Dallas Children’s Theater Academy

ShowBiz Summer 2008

Rosewood Center for Family Arts

　　　　5938 Skillman * Dallas, TX 75231 * (214) 978-0110

Important Information

* All classes are taught by DCT Theater Professionals!

* All Grade Levels indicated are for Fall 2008.

* Tuition Deposit required for registration.

* Tuition balance due on the first day of class. No tuition refunds (退款).

* DCT reserves the right to cancel any class; refunds made for cancellation.

* Please accompany student to first day of class.

* Registration begins one-half hour before class time.

* Questions? Call Nancy Schaeffer at (214) 978-0110 or e-mail nancy@dct.org

How To Register

MAIL: * Fill out the form in this brochure.

* Be sure to list the class and group that you want & the dates.

* The registration form may be copied.

FAX:  Complete the registration form and fax it to DCT at (214) 978-0118.

PHONE: Call (214) 978-0110.

WEB: Visit www.dct.org, click on Academy Classes

Drama Days! — $175

Entering Grades: Group A: K   Group B: 1st & 2nd   Group C: 3rd –– 5th

Mon. –– Fri.  9:　30 a　.m. –– 1 p.m.   June 2 –– June 6

* Day One –– come up with a character, work with your class to plan the play.

* Day Two –– create the situations and scenes for your one-of-a-kind show!

* Day Three –– rehearse (排演) your part.

* Day Four –– pick a costume, get ready!

* Day Five –– SHOWTIME –– invite family and friends to your Friday Showcase!

* Bring a sack lunch and drink each day!

Laugh Out Loud –– $175

Entering Grades: 5+  Mon. –– Fri.  1:30 p.m. –– 5:00 p.m.  June 23 –– June 27  Show Friday, June 27

* Do you like comedy? Try your hand at the world of comedy in the class just for you!

* Learn a comedy sketch from the old masters!

* Tell a joke! Learn why old jokes can be the best!

* Work with your class to put on a one-of-a-kind Comedy Show for family and friends!

Acting –– Just Acting –– $225

Group A: Entering Grades K; Group B: Entering Grades 1st –– 2nd; Group C: Entering Grades 3rd –– 4th; Mon. –– Fri.  9:　30 a　.m. –– 2:30 p.m.; Session I: July 28 –– Aug. 1; Session II: Aug. 4 –– Aug. 8; Session III: Aug. 11 –– Aug. 15

* Are you ready to challenge your acting skills and try something new?!

* Start with the characters: Who are you? Be the Star of your Dreams.

* Become the character you’ve always wanted to be.

* Work with your class to create the plot.

* Get ready to present your show for family and friends on the final Friday!

Summer Scenes –– $225

Entering Grades 5th and 6th; Mon. –– Fri. 9:　30 a　.m. –– 2:30 p.m.; Session I: July 28 –– Aug.1; Session II: Aug. 4 –– Aug. 8; Session III: Aug. 11 –– Aug. 15

* Do you want to be an actor?

* Improve your skills with instruction from professional actors & directors.

* Rehearse and perform scenes from your favorite plays.

* Develop characters and polish performances!

14. What is the purpose of the text?

   A. To attract readers to attend Summer Scenes.

   B. To persuade readers to attend ShowBiz Summer 2008.

   C. To earn money from the introduction.

   D. To teach readers how to register for ShowBiz Summer 2008.

15. If you want to attend Showbiz Summer 2008, you should be aware that ______.

   A. tuition must be paid at least before June 2

   B. there’ll be no refunds in any case.

   C. registration begins half an hour after class time

   D. students had better be accompanied on the first day

16. It can be inferred from the text that all the four one-week specials ______.

   A. are intended for children aged below 5

   B. are all held at 　　Rosewood　 　Center　　 for Family Arts

   C. will take place in June or July and last five days

   D. need students to bring a sack lunch and drink each day

17. Which of the following classes suits those who want to be actors?

   A. Drama Days!                                   B. Laugh Out Loud.

C. Acting – Just Acting.                      D. Summer Scenes.

18. Where is the text most probably from?

   A. Part of a brochure.                           B. An entertainment magazine.

   C. A newspaper.                                   D. A guide book.

Michael, a typical (典型的) American, stays home on workdays. He plugs into his personal computer terminal (接線端) in order to connect with the office. After work, he puts on his headphones, watches a movie on his home video recorder, or plays baseball on the computer. On many days, Michael doesn’t talk to any other human beings, and he doesn’t see any people except the ones on television. Michael is imaginary, but his lifestyle is very possible. The inventions of modern technology seem to be cutting us off from contact with our fellow human beings.

　　The world of business is one area in which technology is isolating (使隔離) us. Experts say, for example, that many people will soon be able to work at home. With access to a large central computer, employees such as office clerks, insurance agents, and accountants could do their jobs at display terminals in their own homes. They would never have to actually see the people they’re dealing with. In addition, the way employees are paid will change. Workers’ salaries will be automatically paid into their bank accounts(賬戶), making paper checks(支票)unnecessary. No workers will stand in line to receive their pay or cash their checks. Personal banking will change, too. Customers will deal with machines to put in or take out money from their accounts.

　　Another area that technology is changing is entertainment. Music, for instance, was once a group experience. People listened to music at concert halls or in small social gatherings. For many people now, however, music is an individual experience. Walking along the street or sitting in their living rooms, they wear headphones to build a wall of music around them. Movie entertainment is changing, too. Movies used to be social events. Now, fewer people are going out to see a movie. Many more are choosing to wait for a film to appear on television or are borrowing videotapes to watch at home. Instead of laughing with others, viewers watch movies in their own living rooms.

13. The sentence “Michael is imaginary, but his lifestyle is very possible” means ____ .

　　A .Michael is a person full of imagination and he can make his dreams come true

　　B. Michael is not a real person but probably the lifestyle does exist

　　C. Michael has ambitions but he can?t make his dreams come true

　　D. Michael is a person full of imagination and his lifestyle is common nowadays

14. What will the author most probably discuss after the last paragraph?

　　A. Games and sports.

　　B. Personal banking.

　　C. Music and films.

　　D. International business.

15. What is the main idea of the passage?

　　A. We may no longer need to communicate with other human beings.

　　B. Modern technology seems to be separating human beings.

　　C. We may no longer need to work in the office.

　　D. Modern technology makes it possible for us to work and entertain ourselves at home.

Back in my country, when I was a child, I used to go to “market day” with my mother. One day each week, farmers used to ___1___ their fruit and vegetables into the city. They ___2___ one street to all cars, and the farmers set up tables for their ___3___. This outdoor market was a great place to ___4___. Everything was fresher than produce in grocery stores because the farmers brought it in ___5___ after the harvest. My mother and I always got there early in the morning to get the ___6___ produce.

The outdoor market was a wonderful adventure for a small child, ___7___ was like a festival — full of colors and ___8___. There are red tomatoes, yellow lemons, green lettuce, peppers, grapes, onions. The farmers did their own ___9___. They all shouted loudly for ___10___ to buy their produce. “Come and buy my beautiful oranges! They’re juicy and delicious and full of vitamins to ___11___ your children healthy and strong!”

Everyone used to ___12___ with the farmers over the ___13___ of their produce. It was like a wonderful drama in a theatre; the buyers and sellers were the “___14___” in this drama. My mother was an ___15___ at this. First, she picked the freshest, most attractive tomatoes, for example. Then she asked the price. The seller told her.

“What?” she said. She looked very surprised. “ So ___16___?”

The seller looked terribly ___17___. “My dear lady!” he replied. “I’m a poor, ___18___ farmer. These are the cheapest tomatoes on the market!”

They always argued for several minutes before agreeing ___19___ a price. My mother took her tomatoes and left. Both buyer and seller were ___20___. The drama was over.

1. A. carry            B. take　        C. bring             D. fetch

2. A. opened　         B. closed　　     C. started　　             D. stopped

3. A. produce　       B. goods　　     C. food　　         D. product

4. A. buy           B. sell　　    C. bargain　　         D. shop

5. A. hurriedly       B. immediately    C. directly            D. straightly

6. A. best　　       B. finest　　     C. freshest            D. cheapest

7. A. who　          B. that　　　     C. which　　       D. what

8. A. voices          B. noises　　     C. sounds　　              D. accent

9. A. shopping       B. business　     C. shouting　        D. advertising

10. A. customers      B. producers　   C. themselves        D. sellers

11. A. keep              B. let　　      C. expect              D. make

12. A. argue          B. talk　　　     C. discuss　　          D. speak

13. A. order          B. price　　　   C. quality　　         D. form

14. A. viewers       B. listeners　      C. actors             D. directors

15. A. actress　       B. inventor　      C. advancer　         D. expert

16. A. wonderful      B. exciting       C. cheap　　　         D. expensive

17. A. injured　        B. hurt　　      C. damaged　         D. wounded

18. A. excellent        B. fair　　　     C. honest　　           D. easy

19. A. with           B. to　　　           C. in　　　　               D. on

20. A. disappointed　B. encouraged  C. satisfied　　　      D. tired

My father often works very hard．And he has   1  to see a film. Here I’ll tell you   2   about him.

One afternoon, when he finished his work and   3   go home, he found a film ticket under the   4  on his desk. He thought he   5   to have not much work to do that day and   6   was quite wonderful to pass the   7   at the cinema．So he came back home and   8   finished his supper. Then he said   9   to us and left.

But to our   10   , he came back about half an hour later, I   11   him what was the matter. He smiled and told us about   12   funny thing that had happened at the cinema.

　　When my father was sitting in his seat, a   13   came to my father’s and said that the seat was   14   . Ｍy father was surprised．He took out the ticket   15   looked at it carefully. It was Row17,   16  . And then he looked at the seat. It was the same. So he asked  17    her ticket. She took out the ticket at once and the seat shown in it was Row 17, Seat 3.

　　  18    ? What’s the matter with all this? While they were wondering suddenly the woman said, “The   19    of the tickets are different.” So they looked at the ticket more carefully. After a while, my father said, “Oh,    20   , I made a mistake. My ticket is for the film a month ago. Take this seat, please.” With these words, he left the cinema.

1．  A．little money     B．much money    C．little time D．much time

2．  A．a(chǎn) funny story   B．a(chǎn) good story     C．a(chǎn)n old story     D．a(chǎn) strange story

3．  A．was to         B．was about to    C．had to          D．ought

4．  A．box           B．book          C．glass            D．paper

5．  A．happened        B．liked          C．pretended      D．wanted

6．  A．it               B．this             C．that         D．which

7．  A．morning       B．a(chǎn)fternoon       C．day          D．evening

8．  A．early            B．quietly           C．quickly       D．suddenly

9．  A．hello            B．good-bye       C．good evening D．good night

10．A．disappointment B．joy            C．sorrow         D．surprise

11．A．a(chǎn)sked           B．explained       C．told           D．wanted

12．A．a(chǎn)              B．one            C．some           D．the

13．A．man         B．woman         C．doctor        D．nurse

14．A．hers         B．his            C．taken        D．wrong

15．A．a(chǎn)nd           B．but           C．or             D．so

16．A．Seat1           B．Seat2         C．Seat3          D．Seat4

17．A．it bring         B．to get         C．to see         D．to show

18．A．Why            B．How          C．When         D．where

19．A．designs        B．colors           C．prices          D．owners

20．A．I’m sad        B．I’m sorry      C．I’m wrong      D．I’m worried