You need to be of a certain age to understand why so many people in Hollywood are caring about the possible closing down of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (米高梅电影公司).For the past 40 years, its output has been good, but now it is on the ropes, with debts of $ 3.7 billion and will have to sell off its most valuable assets.
In its golden time, MGM stood for something.If Warner Brothers meant social dramas and gangster movies, and Disney meant cartoon films, then MGM was healthy fantasy.This business model found its most glorious expression in its musicals of the post-war era.It also featured such many famous stars as Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly and Judy Garland.
But MGM had always put its hopes on the quality of stars it could attract.From the time MGM became a company in 1924, the studio and his associate proved themselves good at creating big names.
For 35 years, this worked well enough, but the growing power of television disturbed Hollywood.MGM continued to throw money into making gorgeous-looking musicals, but despite some big successes audiences gradually started to drift away.Throughout the sixties, MGM's decline set in.Things went from bad to worse.In 1973, MGM stopped distributing its own films.Since then, the Lion's roar has been reduced to a whimper (呜咽).
How far MGM has fallen can be shown by its recent releases.This was a studio that for years offered a reliable supply of first-class films.Yet last year its total output was three.To make it worse, all were co-produced with other studios.And this year? Only one so far, and maybe the last.
What now? MGM will probably be sold, though recent buyers have been cautious about a price thought to be around $ 2 billion.
【小题1】MGM is becoming the focus in Hollywood because it _______.
A.has more supporters | B.has produced good films |
C.might be closed down | D.has lost all its assets |
A.It has been sold out for around $ 2 billion. |
B.The Internet was a factor causing its decline. |
C.It only produced three films by itself last year. |
D.It made a wrong decision for its development. |
A.The past glories of MGM. | B.The musicals made by MGM. |
C.The decline of MGM. | D.A historical decision by MGM |
科目:高中英语 来源:2013届北京市门头沟育园中学高三阶段考试(二)英语试卷 题型:单选题
_______you worked late yesterday, you need ’t have come this morning.
A.Unless | B.Though | C.Once | D.As |
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科目:高中英语 来源:2012-2013学年河南省许昌市五校高二下学期第一次联考英语试卷(带解析) 题型:阅读理解
Does being rich make you happy? Many studies on happiness give negative answers. Here are some points in being happy.
Basic Human Needs Must Be Met
People whose basic needs for shelter, clothing and food are not met will find it very difficult to feel happy. Of course,there are exceptions,but for most of us,we can only be happy once our basic needs are met.
The Joneses Cannot Be Escaped
People's happiness is not determined by how much they have, but by how much people around them have. So, we tend to feel happy once our basic needs are met and we have more than the people surrounding us.
This means that while keeping up with the Joneses could be destructive if we let it go too far, it is also part of human nature to want to feel at least on the same level,financially,as those surrounding us.
You Should Escape The Rat Race
We should know the importance of staying out of the rat race. So yes, you need to work hard,get the education you need to land a good job and work long enough and hard enough to get to a place where you can easily meet your basic needs. What are basic needs? For most middle or upper middle class Americans, basic needs are not very basic anymore.
For most of us,once our basic needs have been met, happiness is achieved when we engage in activities we like,spend time with friends and family and stay active. Making money for the sake of making money does not make people happy.
Ideally, these questions should be answered when you're still young and just starting out. Don't wait until your midlife crisis to realize that half your life has passed you by and you're still unhappy.
【小题1】What is the main idea of the passage?
A.The research on what determines happiness |
B.Being rich makes people happy |
C.What makes people feel unhappy |
D.Key points on being rich and being happy |
A.Expensive things | B.Neighbors |
C.Money | D.Richer people |
A.To enjoy their life with family. |
B.To get high education for better jobs. |
C.To work too hard for money only. |
D.To work hard for basic needs. |
A.Money is happiness. |
B.The love of money is the root of all evil. |
C.Money doesn't grow on trees. |
D.Money is a big problem, but money isn't everything. |
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科目:高中英语 来源:2013届北京市高三阶段考试(二)英语试卷 题型:单项填空
_______you worked late yesterday, you need ’t have come this morning.
A.Unless |
B.Though |
C.Once |
D.As |
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:单选题
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科目:高中英语 来源: 题型:
-------______I come before three o`clock?
-------No, you need`t. The meeting won`t begin until half past three.
A. Must B. Need C. Shall D. Can
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