Ⅰ.阅读理解
The shadow play is a typical traditional entertainment that has survived and thrived over the centuries.It is taken as an earliest ancestor of modern cinema.
Legend has it that more than 2,000 years ago, Emperor Wu of Western Han was very depressed about the death of his favorite concubine (妃子)．To help him get over his sadness, a minister made a puppet out of cotton and silk in the likeness of the concubine and projected its shadow on a curtain for the emperor to see.The show brought the emperor some comfort.He somehow believed the shadow was his lover's spirit.This is thought to be the beginning of the shadow play.
One mouth tells stories of thousands of years；a pair of hands operate millions of soldiers.This is how the shadow puppeteer works.Nicknamed “the business of the five”，a shadow play group is made up of five people.One operates the puppets, one plays a suona and a yueqin, one plays the banhu，one is in charge of percussion (打击乐器) instruments, and one sings.
During performances, “actors” are held close to a white curtain with their colored shadows cast on it by a strong light from behind.The operator plays five puppets at the same time, each of which has three threads.Ten fingers handle fifteen threads.Moved by guiding sticks, the puppets play roles with musical accompaniment.The popularity of the shadow play in some way lies in the equipment being light and easy to carry, the small number of people needed for a performance, and the flexible requirements for performance places.The plays can be quite dramatic and when it comes to myths or kung fu stories, the “actors” may be made to ride on clouds or perform unusual feats, to the great enjoyment of the audience, especially children.
The design of the figures follows traditional moral evaluation.The audience can tell a figure's character by seeing his mask.Like the masks in Beijing opera, a red mask represents loyalty and bravery, a black mask, integrity (正直)and selflessness, and a white one, wickedness and betrayal.
Nowadays, the shadow play has been industrialized and developed a series of tourist products for the promotion of Chinese culture and tourism.
语篇解读：本文是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了中国传统民间艺术——皮影戏，重点介绍了一个有关皮影戏起源的故事、皮影戏的表演特点以及发展现状。
1．What is the second paragraph mainly about?
A．A love story of Emperor Wu of Western Han.
B．How to please an emperor.
C．The origin of the shadow play.
D．How to make a cotton puppet.
解析：选C 段落大意题。通读第二段内容，尤其是最后一句可知，该段主要介绍了皮影戏的起源。
2．According to the author, the audience may take great pleasure .
A．when roles are played without music
B．because the equipment is light to carry
C．when the puppets give lively performances
D．because the number of the operators is small
解析：选C 细节理解题。根据第四段尾句可知，当表演神话和武打故事时，“演员”会被要求骑在云端或表演惊人的技艺，这会给人留下深刻的印象，使观众特别是孩子们获得极大的快乐。
3．What is the author's attitude towards the future of the shadow play?
A．Negative. B．Doubtful.
C．Positive. D．Unconcerned.
解析：选C 观点态度题。根据最后一段内容可知，如今，皮影戏已经工业化，并开发了一系列的旅游产品，以推广中国文化和旅游业。据此可以推知，作者对皮影戏的未来持积极乐观的态度。
4．What is the best title for the text?
A．The Rapid Development of Beijing Opera
B．Shadow Play：A Traditional Art
C．The Business of the Five: A Shadow Play Group
D．Traditional Characters and Masks in Beijing Opera
解析：选B 标题判断题。通读全文可知，第一段第一句给出了本文要介绍的话题。结合下文内容可知，本文主要介绍了中国传统民间艺术——皮影戏，重点介绍了一个有关皮影戏起源的故事以及皮影戏的表演特点等。故B项最适合作本文标题。
