Tens of thousands of theatre tickets will be given away to young people next yea
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Tens of thousands of theatre tickets willbe given away to young people next year as part of a government campaign to inspirea lifelong love for theatre.
The plan to offer free seats to people agedbetween 18 to 26—funded with £2.5 million of taxpayers’ money—was announcedyesterday by Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary. It received a cautiouswelcome from some in the arts world, who expressed concern that the tickets maynot reach the most underprivileged.
The plan comes as West End theatres areenjoying record audiences, thanks largely to musicals teaming up withtelevision talent shows. Attendances reached. 13.6 million in 2007, up 10percent on 2006, itself a record year. Total sales were up 18 percent on 2006to almost £470 million.
One theatre source criticised theGovernment’s priorities(优先考虑的事) in funding free tickets when pensioners were struggling to buyfood and fuel, saying: “I don’t know why the Government’s wasting money onthis. The Yong Vic, as The Times reported today, offers excellentperformances at cheap prices.”
There was praise for the Government’s planfrom Dominic Cooke of the Royal Court Theatre, who said: “I support any move toget young people into theatre, and especially one that aims to do it all overEngland, not just in London.”
Ninety-five publicly funded theatres couldapply for funding under the two-year plan. In return, they will offer free ticketson at least one day each week to 18 to 26-year-olds, first-come, first-served.It is likely to be on Mondays, traditionally a quiet night for the theatre.
Mr. Burnham said: “A young person attendingthe theatre can find it an exciting experience, and be inspired to explore anew world. But sometimes people miss out on it because they fear it’s ‘not forthem’. It’s time to change this perception.”
Jeremy Hunt, the Shadow Culture Secretary,said: “The real issue is not getting enthusiastic children into the theatre,but improving arts education so that more young people want to go in the firstplace. For too many children theatres are a no-go area.”
1.Critics of the plan argued that ______.
| A．the theatres would be overcrowded |
| B．it would be a waste of money |
| C．pensioners wouldn’t get free tickets |
| D．the government wouldn’t be able to afford it |
2.According to the supporters, the planshould ______.
| A．benefit the television industry |
| B．focus on producing better plays |
| C．help increase the sales of tickets |
| D．involve all the young people in England |
3.Which of the following is TRUE about theplan?
| A．Ninety-five theatres have received funding. |
| B．Everyone will get at least one free ticket. |
| C．It may not benefit all the young people. |
| D．Free tickets are offered once every day. |
4.We can infer from the passage that inEngland ______.
| A．many plays are not for young people |
| B．many young people don’t like theatre |
| C．people know little about the plan |
| D．children used to receive good arts education |
5.According to the passage, the issue tooffer free tickets to young people seems ______.
| A．controversial | B．inspiring | C．exciting | D．unreasonable |
试题答案
【答案】
1.B
2.D
3.C
4.B
5.A
【解析】
1.细节理解题。由第四段的I don't know why the Government’s wasting money…可知答案。
2.细节理解题。由第五段的I support any move to get young people into theatre, and especiallyone that aims to do it all over England, not just in London.可知答案。
3.细节理解题。由第六段第一句可排除A；由第六阶段第二句可排除B、D。
4.主旨大意题。，由文章第后两段可知，之所以向年轻人免费赠送，就是因为年轻人对观看戏不感兴趣。
5.推理判断题。由文中提到了反对者的意见和赞同者的观点可推知。