阅读理解。
Ballet is a precise and beautiful form of dancing that is performed in a theatre. A kind of ballet first appeared
in Italy in the 1400s, but ballet as it is danced today began in France. During the reign of King Louis XIV, in the
1600s, it was officially recognized as a form of art. The French Royal Academy of Dance was founded in 1661
to promote ballet.
Traditional, or classical, ballet follows strict rules and traditions. There are standard positions for the arms,
legs and hands, and special movements that make the dance flow smoothly.
Classical ballet uses orchestras (交响乐团), fine scenery and splendid costumes. Many ballets tell a story,
but the dancers do not speak any words. They act out the story, using their bodies. The person who arranges
the dance movements is called the choreographer (舞蹈指导).
Some ballets are very famous. They have been danced for many years. Giselle, a story of a tragic young
village girl who dies in love-stricken grief, was first performed in 1841. Two other long-time favourites are
Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. These two ballets are as famous for their music as for their dancing.
Modern ballets often look very different from classical ones. They include freer, more modern dance steps.
Sometimes, instead of telling a story, they dwell on certain moods or themes. Special effects may be produced
with lighting, rather than scenery.
1. Ballet first turned up in _____ and it was officially thought of as a form of art in _____. [ ]
A. Italy in the 1600s; in France in 1400
B. Italy in the 1400s; in France in 1400
C. Italy in the 1400s; in France in 1600
D. Italy in the 1600s; in France in 1600
2. Which statement is not true according to the passage? [ ]
A. Classical ballet follows strict rules and traditions.
B. Many ballets tell a story, and the dancers sometimes need to speak on the stage.
C. Many ballets tell a story, but the dancers do not speak any words.
D. The ballets always use their bodies to act out the story.
3. _____ are as famous for their music as for their dancing. [ ]
A. Swan Lake and Giselle
B. Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake
B. Sleeping Beauty and Giselle
D. Traditional and modern ballets
4. The underlined phrase "dwell on" in the last paragraph might mean "_____". [ ]
A. tell sth. in detail
B. live in
C. live on
D. tell sth. in general
