9．Opera is an art form that celebrates the human voice．No other art form creates excitement and moves the heart in the way that opera does，especially when performed by a great singer．Opera is an important part of the Western classical music tradition．It uses music，words，and actions to bring a dramatic story to life．Opera started in Italy at the end of the 16th century and later became popular throughout Europe．Over the years，it has responded to various musicals，In recent decades，much wider audiences have been introduced to opera through modern recording technology．Some singers have become celebrities thanks to performing on radio，on TV，and in the cinema．
However，in recent years，opera has been facing serious challenges．One current challenge to opera is economic．The shortage of money raises the broader question of how much should be paid to support opera singers and other artists．Society seems to accept the large salaries paid to business managers and the multi-million-dollar contracts given to sports athletes．But what about opera singers？Somehow，people have the idea that artists can be creative only if they suffer in poverty，but this is unrealistic．If artists，including opera singers，lack the support they need，valuable talent is wasted．
Not only the shortage of money，but also the way money is managed in the opera world has led to hardships．Principal singers are generally paid performance fees once they complete a show．They typically receive nothing during the many weeks of rehearsal （排练） before a show starts．
Another problem faced by opera is how to meet the demands of audiences who are influenced by popular entertainment．Pop singers are often judged as much on the basis of how they look as how they sound．These demands may be unrealistic and possibly harmful．Opera singers simply cannot make a sound big enough to fill a large theater or concert hall without a microphone if their body weight is too low．Emphasizing physical appearance over singing ability may cause audiences to miss out on the human voice at its best．
There are no easy solutions to opera's problems and there are many different opinions about the value of opera．However，every year many young people register for music courses with hopes and dreams of developing their talents in this special art form．The fact that opera has survived many obstacles and continues to attract the rising generation shows that it remains a respected art form full of value．
32．Which of the statements is TRUE according to the passage？D
A．Opera singers'life stories are dramatic．
B．Opera will soon appear on TV and in films
C．Opera fans thank celebrities for performing
D．Opera develops by adapting to new conditions．
33．What can we know from Paragraphs 2 and 3？A
A．Opera singers are financially insecure．
B．Opera singers waste their valuable talent．
C．Opera singers get paid before the show．
D．Opera singers perform better if they are poor．
34．What does the author try to say in Paragraph 4？D
A．Popular culture has had a positive influence on opera
B．Audiences know best how opera should be performed
C．Microphones should be used to make opera more enjoyable
D．Opera singers'voices should be valued more than their looks．
35．What would be the best title for this passage？B
A．The Economic Challenge to Opera
B．Opera Faced with the Difficulties
C．Opera as Part of Popular Culture
D．The Historical Context of Opera．
分析 本文属于说明文阅读，作者通过这篇文章向我们介绍了什么是歌剧，歌剧演员的现状以及歌剧正在面临的困难．
解答 32．D 推理判断题，根据原文第一段 much wider audiences have beenintroduced to opera through modern recording technology．Some singers have become celebrities thanks to performing on radio，on TV，and in the cinema 可知歌剧为了适应新的条件而发展，故选D．
33．A 推理判断题，根据原文第三段principle singers are generally paid performance fees once they complete a show．They typically receive nothing…可知歌手一旦完成表演通常会支付演出费，他们通常什么也得不到，故选A．
34．D 推理判断题，根据原文第四段 Emphasizing physical appearance over singing ability may cause audiences to miss out on the human voice at its best 可知歌剧演员的声音应该比他们的外表更有价值，故选D．
35．B 主旨大意题，根据原文第二段 However，in recent years，opera has been facing serious challenges 可知作者通过这篇文章主要向我们介绍了如今歌剧正在面临危机，故选B．
点评 考查学生的细节理解和推理判断能力．做细节理解题时一定要找到文章中的原句，和题干进行比较，再做出正确选择．在做推理判断题时不要以个人的主观想象代替文章的事实，要根据文章事实进行合乎逻辑的推理判断．
