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阅读微技能训练4—细节理解题(2) 巩固练习

(A)

THE people have spoken – The Big Bang Theory is a worldwide sensation (引起轰动的事情). In January, the popular American sitcom earned its second People’s Choice Award for Best Network TV Comedy. As popular character Sheldon Cooper might say: “Bazinga!”, meaning “Gotcha”.

In the US, the show’s popularity has increased from an average of 8.31 million viewers per episode during season one to 18.61 million during the current, sixth season. So, how does The Big Bang Theory keep adding viewers after six years? According to Dan Martin, TV critic for The Guardian, the show’s focus on nerd (书呆子) culture “speaks to its viewers” in a way that Friends did in the 1990s with its focus on coffee-house culture. In 2013, being a geek (对电脑痴迷的人) in a lab coat is cool, and The Big Bang Theory’s characters, such as Howard and Raj, fit the bill.

But being a nerd also means knowing your fantasy and sci-fi entertainment, and The Big Bang Theory is peppered (充满) with pop culture homages (敬意). Kenneth Andrews, writer at Helium.com, notes that the show includes “references to cult franchises (备受推崇的剧目) such as Doctor Who, Star Trek, … Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.” Viewers appreciate that the show’s characters love the same entertainment that they do. Leonard even dressed up as Frodo Baggins, the protagonist (主角) of Lord of the Rings, for Halloween, in season one episode The Middle-Earth Paradigm. But the show’s influence has extended even to the real setting that it satirizes (讽刺): the world of science. In November 2011, The Guardian reported that “there was a 10 percent increase [in the UK] in the number of students accepted to [university physics programs] between 2008-09, when The Big Bang Theory was first broadcast in the UK, and 2010-11.” And in January 2013, a group of biologists in Brazil named a bee species after Sheldon’s catchphrase (口头禅), “Bazinga!”, according to CNN’s Lightyears blog.

Sounds like geeks the world over have a new rallying cry. Thanks, Sheldon. 1. Which of the following statements about The Big Bang Theory is TRUE? A. The show is the second most popular sitcom in the US at present.

B. The number of its viewers has increased by three times since it first came out.

C. It inspired a group of biologists in Brazil to discover a new bee species. D. It has somewhat encouraged a number of UK students to take an interest in physics.

2. What does the underlined word “fit the bill” in Paragraph 3 mean? A. Become wealthy. B. Are just what is needed.

C. Go against what is expected. D. Compete to pay for something.

3. How does The Big Bang Theory attract so many viewers according to the text? A. It focuses on coffee-house culture like Friends once did.

B. It teaches viewers some scientific knowledge in every episode.

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C. It is about geeks and talks about popular culture and entertainment.

D. It involves some classical sci-fi stories and satirizes the world of science.

(B)

FOR many die-hard fans, soccer is more than just a game. It’s a source of identity, a link to the culture of a place or region – and never more so than on derby (同城比赛) day. Those who support the victor gain bragging rights, renewed faith and increased optimism for the coming months. The losers’ supporters, on the other hand, earn wounded pride and dreams of revenge next time.

To see this phenomenon in action, look no further than Spain’s national derby – Real Madrid versus FC Barcelona.

On Feb 26, the two powerhouses staged a breathtaking showdown (一决胜负). Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to lead Real Madrid to a 3-1 win.

At Barcelona’s Camp Nou Stadium before Tuesday’s match, when thousands of Barcelona fans held up red and gold cards forming a big mosaic of the Catalan national flag, it became clear that this clash goes far beyond sports.

According to the BBC, the rivalry (对立) goes back to the 1930s. Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a Northeastern autonomous region in Spain where many people desire greater independence from the central Spanish government. After the Spanish Civil War, the government suppressed the Catalan language and culture. While the Catalonians and their club FC Barcelona fought to maintain their identity, Francisco Franco, the fascist ruler of Spain at that time, treated Real Madrid better. Throughout the years, FC Barcelona was a symbol of strength for the Catalan region. There is nothing Catalans enjoy more than beating Real Madrid – a team with strong links to Spain’s ruling family. But Real Madrid and FC Barcelona is not the only pair fighting for pride. Another fierce derby is between Boca Juniors and River Plate in Argentina. UK newspaper The Observer even placed attending the Argentinian event atop their list of “50 sporting things you must do before you die”.

Both clubs originated in the La Boca district in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. In 1925, however, River moved to a wealthier district of the city. “Just seven kilometers separates these two fierce rivals but a huge class divide fuels their bitter hatred for each other,” noted The Observer. Some 70 percent of Argentines support either “aristocratic” River or the traditionally “working class” Boca.

“It is a carnival-like atmosphere… Fans exchange songs and flares, and flag-burning is a regular occurrence,” the paper wrote.

4. Why did the Barcelona fans make a big mosaic of the Catalan national flag? A. To represent Catalan identity. B. To call for a more united country.

C. To show their love and support for Spain. D. To impress and entertain the audience.

5. What is the biggest reason for Boca Juniors and River Plate’s rivalry? A. Different cultures. B. Different religions. C. Different social classes. D. The competition system.

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6. What is the article mainly about? A. What soccer fan culture is. B. Why derbies are so fierce. C. How derby came into being.

D. How rivalry between two teams makes their game more interesting.

(C)

WHEN I signed up to volunteer as a team leader for the Special Olympics, I had no idea what it would entail (带来). Standing in the middle of the crowded gymnasium, I waited anxiously for my team of girls to be called. Suddenly, a small group of schoolgirls closed in on me.

One young woman bounced clumsily toward me with such liveliness. Gravity seemed to have no effect on her. Strands of brown hair swayed back and forth in front of her blue eyes with every step, and a huge smile warmed her freckled face. I felt paralyzed as I realized she was heading directly toward me. She stood next to me, placed her arm on my shoulder, and said, “Hi, I’m Jane.” “Hi, I’m Sandy.”

Then, moving even closer, she said: “Hi, Sandy. I’m Jane.” Smiling, I asked: “How are you, Jane?” “Fine,” she said.

Just then the whistle announced the first event: a basketball-dribbling relay. The girls lined up behind the starting line, ready to dribble the ball to the other end of the court and back again.

When it was Jane’s turn, she looked at me and said: “Watch, Sandy. I can do this.” As she attempted to dribble, her bouncing gait (步法) kept her from controlling the ball. With almost every step, Jane’s foot would kick the ball, sending it flying across the gymnasium. “You can do it, Jane!” I yelled.

.Her smile never faded as she happily retrieved (重新得到) the ball and resumed (再次开始) where she had left off. It took two more trips across the gymnasium before Jane was back at my side

“I did good, didn’t I, Sandy?” Jane asked proudly. “Yes, you did fine.” Then, Jane once again placed her arm on my shoulder and declared: “Hi Sandy, I’m Jane.”

“Yes, you are Jane, a wonderful young lady,” I responded, with a reassuring smile. This game continued throughout the other events.

At the end of the day, each athlete received a ribbon. No one on my team came in first. Rankings weren’t important.

Because of Jane, I now find joy in the little things. I know that winning isn’t the only thing that matters. When life sends me in an unexpected direction, I now get right back on course and start again, with a smile like hers.

Every once in a while, I can feel her arm rest on my shoulder and hear her say: “Hi Sandy, I’m Jane. You did good.”

7. When the author realized that Jane was coming toward her, she ______. A. felt surprised and didn’t know how to react

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