The popular US drama series “House of Cards”, which has already started its second season, features Chinese elements in its storyline. Traditional heroes are no longer sought after anymore. Today, it’s unconventional leading figure -like Francis J. Underwood from “House of Cards” who are winning audiences’ hearts.
The political drama, which airs on the Internet service Netflix, has won the applauses of viewers around the world since its debut(首次亮相) on February 1, 2013. And it has caught the attention of real politicians, including US President Barack Obama.
Kevin Spacey plays Francis J. Underwood, a cold-blooded Democrat who moves his way up the political ladder by any means necessary. He often uses his under-exposure in media to carry out misdeeds that will later benefit him.
The revenge(报仇) theme plays a heavy role throughout the storyline, Underwood, who had high hopes for an appointment as Secretary of State in the first season, was betrayed by the US President and his former colleagues. He and his wife then conducted a plan of revenge and swore to unseat those who turned their backs against him. Through their plan, Underwood’s own hunger for power grew and empowered him to get rid of whoever stood in his Way.
The release of the trailer(预告片) of the second season excited millions of viewers around the world, including US President Barack Obama, who has been a loyal fan since the series debuted. Obama expressed his admiration for Underwood. “This guy’s getting a lot of stuff done,” he said. Although the President is anxious to watch the story unfold, he’d like to do it at his own pace. After the release of the second season on February 14, 2014, Obama sent words on his Twitter account, “Tomorrow: @HouseOfCards. No spoilers , please.”
The second season has promised to be darker, with more unexpected turnouts, and is to include more Chinese elements. “Perhaps the team, including myself, has realized that in the next decade, Asia will be an extensively important region, and China will play an active role in its transition and change,” says Spacey.
【小题1】The second season is different in that .A．it is a political dramaB．more Chinese elements are involvedC．it has caught the attention of US President Barack ObamaD．Kevin Spacey, a cold-blooded Democrat, plays Francis’J. Underwood【小题2】The 3rd and 4th paragraph mainly deal with .A．the plot of the drama seriesB．the background of the drama seriesC．the characters of the drama seriesD．the popularity of the drama series【小题3】The author may agree that .A．the second season is expected to be darker with more deathsB．audiences lose their heart to traditional heroes in the dramaC．the drama is the reflection of politics of America in real lifeD．the drama has won the recognition of viewers since its first season【小题4】The message sent by Obama on his Twitter account proves that he .A．doesn’t wish to be told what to do as a drama fanB．adores the drama so much that he wants to watch it in advanceC．doesn’t want to be disturbed while watching the dramaD．hopes nobody will inform him of the plot of the drama in advanceB
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(答案→)B
解析：文章大意：流行美剧《纸牌屋》第二季已经开播，中国元素出现在故事情节中。
【小题1】B细节理解题。根据第一段首句The popular US drama series “House of Cards”, which has already started its second season, features Chinese elements in its storyline.可知第二季与众不同在于融入了中国元素。故B正确。
【小题2】A主旨大意题。从第三段和第四段的内容可知其主要介绍《纸牌屋》电视剧的一些情节。故A正确。
【小题3】C推理判断题。根据文章中对电视剧情节的介绍可以推断出，电视剧中的一些情节反映了美国真实的政治生活。故C正确。
【小题4】D主旨大意题。根据文章倒数第二段After the release of the second season on February 14, 2014, Obama sent words on his Twitter account, “Tomorrow:
HouseOfCards. No spoilers , please.”可知奥巴马希望有人不要剧透。故D正确。