The practice of magic includes special words, actions, and objects. Most magic involves a person called a magician, who claims to have supernatural powers. Magic words.
To work most magic, the magician sings or speaks special words in a certain order. These words are called incantations or spells. Some spells form prayers to demons(魔鬼), spirits, or other supernatural forces. Many societies believe the magic will not work unless the magician recites the spells perfectly. Other magic words have no meaning, though they supposedly possess power when spoken by a magician. Magic actions accompany the words spoken in performing much magic. Many of these movements act out the desired effect of the magic. For example, a magician trying to make rain fall may sprinkle(洒) water on the ground. The magician's combined words and actions form a ceremony. Magic objects include certain plants, stones, and other things with supposed supernatural powers. Any such object may be called a fetish(物神). But this term often refers to an object—for example, a carving or a dried snake—honored by a tribe for its magic powers. Many tribes believe fetishes have magic power because spirits live in these objects. Many people carry magic objects called amulets(护身符)to protect themselves from harm. Many amulets are stones or rings engraved(雕刻) with magic symbols.
The magician, in some societies, nearly everyone knows how to work some magic. In other societies, only experts practice magic. Magicians may be called medicine men, medicine women, shamans, sorcerers, or witch doctors. In many societies, magicians must inherit(遗传) their powers. In others, any person may become a magician by studying the magical arts.
Many societies believe magicians must observe certain rules and taboos (forbidden actions) for their spells to work. For example, they may be required not to eat various foods or to avoid sexual activity for a certain period before the ceremony.
小题1:What do magic words mean to people in some society?
A．They have the power to kill devils.
B．They have power if magician recites the right spells.
C．They have no effect at all.
D．They can be used whenever they want.小题2:Why do many people believe in a fetish?
A．Because it is often a ring which is worth a lot of money.
B．Because it is carved with magic symbols.
C．Because people think spirits live in it.
D．Because it can help them with many things.小题3:What's the best title of the passage?
A．How Magicians make Magic Work
B．The Power of Magic
C．How to Practice Magic
D．The Choice of Magicians
小题1:B
小题2:C
小题3:A
题目分析：全文讲述了巫师如何实施巫术，，巫术的活动要伴随着语言，而这些语言又叫作咒语。人们之所以相信物神，是因为他们觉得物神有精神在里面。
小题1:根据the magician recites the spells perfectly”我们知道，很多社会认为只要巫师念的咒语合适，巫术就会起作用。 选B
小题2:细节理解题。从“Many tribes believe fetishes have magic power because spirits live in these objects”我们可以知道，人们之所以相信物神，是因为他们觉得物神有精神在里面。选C
小题3:主旨大意题。全文讲述了如何实施巫术，这一点从第一段可以看出来。选A
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