PASSAGE 3 – Questions 21-30
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is a popular topic for people interested in theater and
history. However, the Global Theatre as we know it today is not the same building that
was used originally. In fact, the Globe was situated in many different places during its
history.
When the rental agreement on the original location ended, one of the actors bought
a theater called Blackfriars, which was located in another part of town. However, many
complaints from neighbors and the town council led to a petition that requested that the
acting group move their company out of town. Upset with this news, the actors returned
to the original theater, took most of it apart, and then moved the materials across the
Thames river to Bankside, where they proceeded to construct the next version of the
Globe.
This endeavor, though, did not go smoothly. The owner of the original Globe
Theatre, who had rented it to the actors, took the acting group to court. He wanted the
actors to pay the damage they had done to his building. In the end, however, the actors
won the case and continued to construct their “newly-acquired” theater. Later, the actors
split their plays between the original theater and the new Globe.
In 1612, the original Globe burned to the ground. How did this happen? Historians
believed that a cannon that was shot during a performance of the play Henry VIII started
a large fire. Yet, the Globe Theatre still survived. However, it was shut down by the
Puritans in 1642 and later destroyed during the English Civil War of 1643.
In May of 1997, Queen Elizabeth II officially opened a newly constructed version
of the Globe with a production of Henry V. [A] This is the Globe Theatre that people
visit today. The queen wanted the new theater to be much like the old one. [B] The new
model is very similar to the original theater. For instance, it is also a three-story building.
Also, it has seating for 1,500 people. [C] In its first season, the theater attracted 210, 000
people. [D]
There are some important things to remember when visiting the Globe today. Since
the theater was reconstructed to be very similar to the original theater, some customer
may not find the seating or experience to be as comfortable as in a typical modern
theater. For example, plays are not canceled due to bad weather. Therefore, if the day is
extremely hot r if it is raining (remember, it is an outdoor theater), the play will continue
as scheduled. Secondly, there are many stairs that theater-goers must climb to get to and
from their seats, which can be very tiring for some. Finally, if you are watching the play
from the “yard,” you are not allowed to use an umbrella or even to sit down. Certainly,
visiting the Globe today promises visitors an exciting experience, much like visiting this
theater hundreds of years ago.
21. As it is used in paragraph 2, the word “part” is closest in meaning to….
A. role.
B. area.
C. dividing line.
D. piece.
22The word “proceed” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to….
A. continued.
B. began.
C. marched.
D.hurried.
23 The word “acquired” in paragraph 3 could be best replaced by which of the
following?
A. Stolen
B. Bought
C. Discovered
D. Obtained
24 Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the
highlighted sentence in paragraph 4?
A. However, the effort to make a new Globe Theatre was expensive.
B. Consequently, the new theater project was never completed.
C. This effort, consequently, was too difficult to accomplish.
D. This project, however, was not easily accomplished.
25. In which year was the original Globe damaged by fire?
A. 1609
B. 1613
C. 1643
D.1997
26. Based on information in paragraph 4, what can be inferred about the
Puritans?
A. They loved Shakespeare.
B. They lived in America.
C. They did not like plays.
D. They wore black clothes.
27. The word “its” in paragraph 5 refers to……..
A. the season.
B. the program.
C. the theater.
D.the play.
28. According to the passage, what is true of the original Globe Theatre?
A. It was not popular at first.
B. It had three levels.
C. It was in downtown London.
D. The tickets were not very expensive.
29. What does the word “their” in paragraph 6 refer to?
A. Stairs
B. Seats
C. Actors
D. Audience members
30. What is the purpose of this passage?
A. To inform people about Shakespeare
B. To tell people about the history of the Globe Theater
C. To talk about the theater in English
D. To describe acting in the 17th century
