1995年8月托福考试阅读理解全真试题（下）
There are many theories about the beginning of drama in ancient Greece. The one most widely accepted today is based on the assumption that drama evolved from ritual. The argument for this view goes as follows. In the beginning， human beings viewed the natural forces of the world， even the seasonal changes， as unpredictable， and they sought through various means， to control these unknown and feared powers. Those measures which appeared to bring the desired results were then retained and repeated until they hardened into fixed rituals. Eventually stories arose which explained or veiled the mysteries of the rites. As time passed some rituals were abandoned， but the stories， later called myths， persisted and provided material for art and drama.
Those who believe that drama evolved out of ritual also argue that those rites contained the seed of theater because music， dance， masks， and costumes were almost always used. Furthermore， a suitable site had to be provided for performances，and when the entire community did not participate， a clear division was usually made between the "acting area" and the "auditorium." In addition， there were performers， and since considerable importance was attached to avoiding mistakes in the enactment of rites， religious leaders usually assumed that task. Wearing masks and costumes， they often impersonated other people， animals， or supernatural beings，and mimed the desired effect - success in hunt or battle，the coming rain， the revival of the Sun - as an actor might. Eventually such dramatic representations were separated from religious activities.
Another theory traces the theater s origin from the human interest in storytelling. According to this view， tales（about the hunt， war， or other feats） are gradually elaborated，at first through the use of impersonation， action， and dialogue by a narrator and then through the assumption of each of the roles by a different person. A closely related theory traces theater to those dances that are primarily rhythmical and gymnastic or that are imitations of animal movements and sounds.
31. What does the passage many discuss？
（A） The origins of theater
（B） The role of ritual in modern dance
（C） The importance of storytelling
（D） The variety of early religious activities.
32. The word "they" in line 6 refers to
（A） seasonal changes
（B） natural forces
（C） theories
（D） human beings
33. What aspect of drama does the author discuss in the first paragraph？
（A） The reason drams is often unpredictable
（B） The seasons in which dramas were performed
（C） The connection between myths and dramatic plots
（D） The importance of costumes in early drama
34. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a common element of theater and ritual？
（A） Dance
（B） Costumes
（C） Music
（D） Magic
35. The word "considerable" in line 21 is closest in meaning to
（A） thoughtful
（B） substantial
（C） relational
（D） ceremonial
36. The word "enactment" in line 22 is closest in meaning to
（A） establishment
（B） performance
（C） authorization
（D） season
37. The word "they" in line 23 refers to
（A） mistakes
（B） costumes
（C） animals
（D） performers
38. According to the passage， what is the main difference between ritual and drama？
（A） Ritual uses music whereas drama does not.
（B） Ritual is shorter than drama.
（C） Ritual requires fewer performers than drama.
（D） Ritual has a religious purpose and drama does not.
39. The passage supports which of the following statements？
（A） No one really knows how the theater began
（B） Myths are no longer represented dramatically.
（C） Storytelling is an important part of dance
（D） Dramatic activities require the use of costumes.
40. Where in the passage does the author discuss the separation of the stage and the audience？
（A） Lines 8-9
（B） Lines 12-14
（C） Lines 19-20
（D） Lines 22-24
Questions 41-50
Staggering tasks confronted the people of the United States， North and South， when the Civil war ended. About a million and a half soldiers from both sides had to be demobilized，readjusted to civilian life， and reabsorbed by the devastated economy. Civil government also had to be put back on a peacetime basis and interference from the military had to be stopped.