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sought through various means, to control these unknown and feared powers. Those measures which appeared to bring the desired results were then retained and repeated until they hardened into fixed rituals. Eventually stories arose which explained or veiled the mysteries of the rites. As time passed some rituals were abandoned, but the stories, later called myths, persisted and provided material for art and drama. Those who believed that drama evolved out of ritual also argue that those rites

contained the seed of theater because music, dance, masks, and costumes were almost always used. Furthermore, a suitable site had to be provided for performances, and when the entire community did not participate, a clear division was usually made between the \and, since considerable importance was attached to avoiding mistakes in the

enactment of rites, religious leaders usually assumed that task. Wearing masks and costumes, they often impersonated other people, animals, or supernatural beings, and mimed the desired effect-success in hunt or battle, the coming rain, the revival of the Sun-as an actor might. Eventually such dramatic representations were separated from religious activities.

Another theory traces the theater’s origin from the human interest in storytelling. According to this view, tales (about the hunt, war, or other feats) are gradually elaborated, at first through the use of impersonation, action, and dialogue by a

narrator and then through the assumption of each of the roles by a different person. A closely related theory traces theater to those dances that are primarily rhythmical and gymnastic or that are imitations of animal movements and sounds.

1. What does the passage mainly discuss?

A. The origins of theater. B. The role of ritual in modern dance.

C. The importance of storytelling. D. The variety of early religious activities. 2. What aspect of drama does the author discuss in the first paragraph?A. The reason drama is often unpredictable.

B. The seasons in which dramas were performed. C. The connection between myths and dramatic plots. D. The importance of costumes in early drama.

3. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a common element of theater and ritual?

A. Dance.B. Costumes.C. Music.D. Magic.

4. According to the passage, what is the main difference between ritual and drama? A. Ritual uses music whereas drama does not. B. Ritual is shorter than drama.

C. Ritual requires fewer performers than drama. D. Ritual has a religious purpose and drama does not.

5. The passage supports which of the following statements? A. No one really knows how the theater began. B. Myths are no longer represented dramatically. C. Storytelling is an important part of dance. D. Dramatic activities require the use of costumes. 专四模拟试题（阅读篇7）

Certainly no creature in the sea is odder than the common sea cucumber. All living creature， especially human beings， have their peculiarities， but everything about the little sea cucumber seems unusual. What else can be said about a bizarre animal that， among other eccentricities， eats mud， feeds almost continuously day and night but can live without eating for long periods， and can be poisonous but is considered supremely edible by gourmets？

For some fifty million years， despite all its eccentricities， the sea cucumber has subsisted on its diet of mud. It is adaptable enough to live attached to rocks by its tube feet， under rocks in shallow water， or on the surface of mud flats. Common in cool water on both Atlantic and Pacific shores， it has the ability to suck up mud or sand and digest whatever nutrients are present.

Sea cucumbers come in a variety of colors， ranging from black to reddish brown to sand color and nearly white. One form even has vivid purple tentacles. Usually the creatures are cucumber shaped-hence their name-and because they are typically rock inhabitants， this shape， combined with flexibility， enables them to squeeze into crevices where they are safe from predators and ocean currents.

Although they have voracious appetites， eating day and night， sea cucumbers have the capacity to become quiescent and live at a low metabolic rate-feeding sparingly or not at all for long periods， so that the marine organisms that provide their food have a chance to multiply. If it were not for this faculty， they would devour all the food available in a short time and would probably starve themselves out of existence. But the most spectacular thing about the sea cucumber is the way it defends itself. Its major enemies are fish and crabs， when attacked， it squirts all its internal organs into water. It also casts off attached structures such as tentacles. The sea cucumber will eviscerate and regenerate itself if it is attacked or even touched； it will do the same if the surrounding water temperature is too high or if the water becomes too polluted.

1. According to the passage， why is the shape of sea cucumbers important？A. It helps them to digest their food.

B. It helps them to protect themselves from danger.

C. It makes it easier for them to move through the mud.D. It makes them attractive to fish.

2. The fourth paragraph of the passage primarily discusses______.A. the reproduction of sea cucumbersB. the food sources of sea cucumbersC. the eating habits of sea cucumbersD. threats to sea cucumbers' existence

3. What can be inferred about the defence mechanisms of the sea cucumber？A. They are very sensitive to surrounding stimuli.B. They are almost useless.

C. They require group cooperation.

D. They are similar to those of most sea creatures.

4. Which of the following would NOT cause a sea cucumber to release its internal organs into the water？ A. A touch B. Food

C. Unusually warm water D. Pollution.

专四模拟试题（阅读篇8）

Municipal sewage is of relatively recent origin as a pollutant. It was first brought to public attention in the 19th century by a London physician who showed that the city's cholera outbreak had been caused by just one contaminated well. Even though the contamination of drinking water by disease germs has been nearly eliminated in this country, hundreds of communities are still discharging raw sewage into streams and rivers.When we consider that this sewage contains effluents from toilets, hospitals, laundries,industrial plants, etc., then the potential of the pollutants as a health hazard is apparent.

The problem of municipal sewage disposal is complicated by the fact that, years ago, mostcities combined their storm and waste disposal sewers. Many of these

combined systems work well, but others cannot cope with sudden heavy rains. When such storms occur, water mixed with sewage may flood and disable treatment plants unless bypassed, untreated, into a stream. In either case, the people may have little protection for several days from these wastes that may contain disease germs.Even

if adequately treated to eliminate the health hazard, sewage is aesthetically

undesirable because of odors and colors produced. Detergents have posed a particular disposal problem. Although there is no indication that they are injurious to health, they can cause foaming, which can clog treatment plants and, at the least, spoil the scenic beauty of streams.Rural and suburban residents should be aware that septic tanks and cesspools are a potential source of pollution to ground water supplies. This is especially true in the suburban areas with a high population density and with no municipal sewage disposal and treatment system available. In some areas, sewage disposal is accomplished by cesspools. Soil research is furnishing guidelines for more effective and safer use of systems such as these. 1. This passage is concerned primarily with the _____ . A. problems of waste disposal

B. dangers of drinking from wells C. turbidity of polluted water D. outbreak of cholera

2. The author mentions the London cholera epidemic to _____ . A. prove that the city refused to deal with pollution

B. prove that medical science once knew little about pollution C. introduce the idea of contaminated water supplies D. recall a historical fact

3. In densely populated suburban areas, a danger exits from _____ . A. streams that do not flow directly to open bodies of water B. cesspools and septic tanks that contaminate water supplies C. storm and waste disposal sewers that have been combined D. the undesirable odors of sewage

4. In developing the main point, the author makes use of _____ . A. scientific arguments B. convincing testimony

C. common sense observations D. analogy

专四模拟试题（阅读篇9）

Certainly no creature in the sea is odder than the common sea cucumber. All living creature, especially human beings, have their peculiarities, but everything about the little sea cucumber seems unusual. What else can be said about a bizarre animal that, among other eccentricities, eats mud, feeds almost continuously day and night but can live without eating for long periods, and can be poisonous but is considered supremely edible by gourmets? For some fifty million years, despite all its eccentricities, the sea cucumber has subsisted on its diet of mud. It is adaptable enough to live attached to rocks by its tube feet, under rocks in shallow water, or on the surface of mud flats.

Common in cool water on both Atlantic and Pacific shores, it has the ability to suck up mud or sand and digest whatever nutrients are present. Sea cucumbers come in a variety of colors, ranging from black to reddish brown to sand color and nearly white. One form even has vivid purple tentacles. Usually the creatures are cucumber shaped—hence their name—and because they are typically rock inhabitants, this

shape, combined with flexibility, enables them to squeeze into crevices where they are safe from predators and ocean currents. Although they have voracious appetites,

eating day and night, sea cucumbers have the capacity to become quiescent and live at a low metabolic rate—feeding sparingly or not at all for long periods, so that the marine organisms that provide their food have a chance to multiply. If it were not for this faculty, they would devour all the food available in a short time and would

probably starve themselves out of existence. But the most spectacular thing about the sea cucumber is the way it defends itself. Its major enemies are fish and crabs, when attacked, it squirts all its internal organs into water. It also casts off attached structures such as tentacles. The sea cucumber will eviscerate and regenerate itself if it is

attacked or even touched; it will do the same if the surrounding water temperature is too high or if the water becomes too polluted.

1. According to the passage, why is the shape of sea cucumbers important?A. It helps them to digest their food.

B. It helps them to protect themselves from danger.

C. It makes it easier for them to move through the mud.D. It makes them attractive to fish.

2. The fourth paragraph of the passage primarily discusses ____.