Tens of thousands of theatre tickets will be given away to young people next year as part of a government campaign to inspire a lifelong love for theatre.
The plan to offer free seats to people aged between 18 to 26—funded with £2.5 million of taxpayers’ money—was announced yesterday by Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary. It received a cautious wele from some in the arts world, who expressed concern that the tickets may not reach the most underprivileged.
The plan es as West End theatres are enjoying record audiences, thanks largely to musicals teaming up with television talent shows. Attendances reached. 13.6 million in 2007, up 10 percent on 2006, itself a record year. Total sales were up 18 percent on 2006 to almost £470 million.
One theatre source criticised the Government’s priorities(优先考虑的事) in funding free tickets when pensioners were struggling to buy food and fuel, saying: “I don’t know why the Government’s wasting money on this. The Yong Vic, as The Times reported today, offers excellent performances at cheap prices.”
There was praise for the Government’s plan from Dominic Cooke of the Royal Court Theatre, who said: “I support any move to get young people into theatre, and especially one that aims to do it all over England, not just in London.”
Ninety-five publicly funded theatres could apply for funding under the two-year plan. In return, they will offer free tickets on at least one day each week to 18 to 26-year-olds, first-e, first-served. It is likely to be on Mondays, traditionally a quiet night for the theatre.
Mr. Burnham said: “A young person attending the theatre can find it an exciting experience, and be inspired to explore a new world. But sometimes people miss out on it because they fear it’s ‘not for them’. 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 first place. For too many children theatres are a no-go area.”
【小题1】Critics of the plan argued that .A．the theatres would be overcrowdedB．it would be a waste of moneyC．pensioners wouldn’t get free ticketsD．the government wouldn’t be able to afford it【小题2】According to the supporters, the plan should .A．benefit the television industryB．focus on producing better playsC．help increase the sales of ticketsD．involve all the young people in England【小题3】Which of the following is TRUE about the plan?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.【小题4】We can infer from the passage that in England .A．many plays are not for young peopleB．many young people don’t like theatreC．people know little about the planD．children used to receive good arts education【小题5】According to the passage, the issue to offer free tickets to young people seems .A．controversialB．inspiringC．excitingD．unreasonableB
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(答案→)B
解析：
【小题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。
【小题2】细节理解题。由第五段的I support any move to get young people into theatre, and especially one that aims to do it all over England, not just in London.可知答案。
【小题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。
【小题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。
【小题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。