A
Theaters of the Past
The Greek Theater
Theaters developed in many parts of Greece. Ancient Greek theaters were built in natural open air sites on conveniently shaped hills. This allowed a lot of people to enjoy a show at a time. Due to this, actors placed emphasis on exaggerated (夸张的) action and speech. And, colorful symbolic masks and costumes were used.
The Medieval Theater
The Medieval theater started in churches. That’s why medieval plays were about Bible stories. At first, it was a tradition for priests (牧师) to act out brief scenes during Christmas and Easter. Later the church didn’t allow priests to participate in any such events again, so ordinary people began these performances outside. Performances were set in the town square, with several stage settings around it.
The Elizabethan Theater
The main feature of Elizabethan theater was the stage. It has three parts: The fore stage for outside scenes; the inner stage for scenes inside a building; an upper stage for various purposes. The reason for this design is that there were no scene changes, or breaks during the play. Very little scenery was used, so the actors had to create a scene through their voices and dialogues.
The Restoration Theater
Some of the plays told sad stories, but most of the plays were really funny. Many specialized machines were used to create the scene. The stage was a very clever idea , in that on the sides of the stage large back shutters (百叶窗) were painted with the scene.
1. Why were ancient Greek theaters built on hills?
A. To build a big and strong stage.
B. To hold a large audience.
C. To have a better sound effect.
D. To emphasize exaggerated performances.
2. In which theater could actors’ voices and speech help create scenes?
A. The Greek Theater
B. The Elizabethan Theater
C. The Medieval Theater
D. The Restoration Theater
3. What is special about the Restoration Theater?
A. Colorful masks were used.
B. Ordinary people were the performers.
C. Most of its plays were sad.
D. The stage was smartly designed.
【答案】1. B 2. B 3. D
【解析】
【分析】本文为说明文。文章介绍了四个古代的剧院。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据The Greek Theater中的“Ancient Greek theaters were built in natural open air sites on conveniently shaped hills. This allowed a lot of people to enjoy a show at a time. (古希腊的剧院建在自然开阔的地方，建在形状方便的山上。这使得一大群人可以一次欣赏一场演出)”可知，希腊剧院建在山上是为了让更多的观众可以一起欣赏演出，容纳大量观众。故选B。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据The Elizabethan Theater中的“Very little scenery was used, so the actors had to create a scene through their voices and dialogues.(布景用得很少，所以演员们不得不通过他们的声音和对话来创造一个场景)可知，在The Elizabethan Theater演员的声音和言语能帮助创造场景。故选B。
【3题详解】
推理判断题。根据The Restoration Theater中的“The stage was a very clever idea , in that on the sides of the stage large back shutters (百叶窗) were painted with the scene.(舞台是一个非常聪明的想法，在舞台的两侧，巨大的后百叶窗被画上了场景)可知，在The Restoration Theater舞台的两侧，巨大的后百叶窗被画上了场景，可得出舞台设计非常巧妙。故选D。
