2022年大学英语考试考前冲刺卷一19测

2022年大学英语考试考前冲刺卷ー（本卷共分为1大题50小题,作答时间为180分钟,总分100分,60分及格。）单位: 姓名: 考号:题号单选题多项选择判断题综合题总分分值得分ー、单项选择题(共50题,每题2分。每题的备选项中,只有一个最符合题意).Conversation2Whataretheman'sinterests()BuiIdingandsellingTVsets.MakingTVsetsandrepairingthem.Building,repairingandsellingthings.PersuadingpeopIetobuynewspapers..Whatwasthemonthlyrentin1980()$300.$450.$500.$600..Whatdoesthemanmean()Therearealotofboxesintheway.TheboxesmightbetooheavyforhertoIift.Heistiredafterliftingtheboxes.HeeannOtIifttheheavyboxes..Conversation2Whatdidthemandothisyear()Helpedsomefriendsbuildahouse.Soldnewspapersonthecampus.Soldadvertisingspaceforapaper.Askedbusinessmentobuyschoolnewspapers.ApriIfool’sDayistraditionallyadaytoplaypracticaljokesonothers,sendpeopIeonfool’serrands,andfooltheunsuspecting"NooneknowshowthishoIidaybeganbutitwasthoughttohaveoriginatedinFrance.ThecIosestpointintimethatcanbeidentifiedasthebeginningofthistraditionwasin1582,inFrance.NewYear’sDaywascelebratedonMarch25andcelebrationsIasteduntiIApriI1st.WhenNewYear’sDayaschangedfromMarch25toJanuary1stinthemid-1560’sbyKingCharlesIX,thereweresomepeopIewhostillcelebrateditonApriI1standthosepeopIewerecalledApriIFools.PranksperformedonApriIfool’sDayrangefromthesimple,(suchassaying,"Yourshoe’suntied!),totheelaborate.Settingaroommate’salarmclockbackanhourisacommongag.Thenewsmediaevengetsinvolved.Forinstance,aBritishshortfiImonceshownonApriIfool’sDaywasafairlydetaiIeddocumentaryabout"spaghettifarmers"andhowtheyharvesttheircropfromthespaghettitrees.Whatevertheprank,thetricksterusuallyendsitbyyellingtohisvictim,"ApriIFool!"ApriIfool’sDayisa"for-fun-onIy"observance.Nobodyisexpectedtobuygiftsortotaketheir"significantother"outtoeatinafancyrestaurant.NobodygetsoffworkorschooI.It’ssimpIyafunIittIehoiiday,butahoIidayonwhichonemustremainforevervigiIant,forhemaybethenextApriIfool!Accordingtothepassage,ApriIfool1sDayoriginatedin().A.AmericaC.FranceD.BritainWhatwasMrs.Smithafraidof()Drivingveryfast.Herbeingleftalone.Goingtothepartywithherhusband.Thetrafficaccident.ApriIfool’sDayistraditionallyadaytoplaypracticaljokesonothers,sendpeopIeonfool’serrands,andfooltheunsuspecting~NooneknowshowthishoiidaybeganbutitwasthoughttohaveoriginatedinFrance.ThecIosestpointintimethatcanbeidentifiedasthebeginningofthistraditionwasin1582,inFrance.NewYear’sDaywascelebratedonMarch25andcelebrationsIasteduntiIApriI1st.WhenNewYear’sDayaschangedfromMarch25toJanuary1stinthemid-1560’sbyKingCharlesIX,thereweresomepeopIewhostillcelebrateditonApriI1standthosepeopIewerecalledApriIFools.PranksperformedonApriIfool’sDayrangefromthesimple,(suchassayingf"Yourshoe’suntied!),totheelaborate.Settingaroommate’salarmclockbackanhourisacommongag.Thenewsmediaevengetsinvolved.Forinstance,aBritishshortfiImonceshownonApriIfool’sDaywasafairlydetaiIeddocumentaryabout"spaghettifarmers"andhowtheyharvesttheircropfromthespaghettitrees.Whatevertheprank,thetricksterusuallyendsitbyyellingtohisvictim,"ApriIFool!"ApriIfool’sDayisa"for-fun-onIy"observance.Nobodyisexpectedtobuygiftsortotaketheir"significantother"outtoeatinafancyrestaurant.NobodygetsoffworkorschooI.It’ssimpIyafunIittIehoiiday,butahoiidayonwhichonemustremainforevervigiIant,forhemaybethenextApriIfool!Intheyearof1569,peopIeinFrancecelebratedNewYear'sDayat().A.March25March30ApriI1stJanuary1st8.Aprilfool&rsquo；sDayistraditionallyadaytoplaypracticaljokesonothers,sendpeopleonfool&rsquo；serrands,andfooltheunsuspecting^NooneknowshowthisholidaybeganbutitwasthoughttohaveoriginatedinFrance.Theclosestpointintimethatcanbeidentifiedasthebeginningofthistraditionwasin1582,inFrance.NewYear&rsquo；sDaywascelebratedonMarch25andcelebrationslasteduntilApril1st.WhenNewYear&rsquo；sDayaschangedfromMarch25toJanuary1stinthemid-1560&rsquo；sbyKingCharlesIX,thereweresomepeoplewhostillcelebrateditonApril1standthosepeoplewerecalledAprilFools.PranksperformedonAprilfool&rsquo；sDayrangefromthesimple,(suchassaying,"；Yourshoe&rsquo；suntied!),totheelaborate.Settingaroommate&rsquo；salarmclockbackanhourisacommongag.Thenewsmediaevengetsinvolved.Forinstance,aBritishshortfilmonceshownonAprilfool&rsquo；sDaywasafairlydetaileddocumentaryabout"；spaghettifarmers"；andhowtheyharvesttheircropfromthespaghettitrees.Whatevertheprank,thetricksterusuallyendsitbyyellingtohisvictim,"；AprilFool!"；Aprilfool&rsquo；sDayisa"；for-fun-only"；observance.Nobodyisexpectedtobuygiftsortotaketheir"；significantother"；outtoeatinafancyrestaurant.Nobodygetsoffworkorschool.It&rsquo；ssimplyafunlittleholiday,butaholidayonwhichonemustremainforevervigilant,forhemaybethenextAprilfool!Theword“pranks”(Line1Para.3)means"()."A.foolsexamplesshoes9.Mother&rsquojsDayisatimeofcommemorationandcelebrationforMom.Itisatimeofbreakfastinbedtfamilygatherings,andcrayonscribbled"ILoveYou".TheearIiestMother’sDaycelebrationscanbetracedbacktothespringcelebrationsofancientGreeceinhonorofRhea,theMotheroftheGods.Duringthe1600’s,Englandcelebratedadaycalled"MotheringSunday".Celebratedonthe4thSundayofLent(the40dayperiodIeadinguptoEaster),"MotheringSunday"honoredthemothersofEngland.IntheUnitedStatesMother’sDaywasfirstsuggestedin1872byJuliaWardHowe(whowrotethewordstotheBattIehymnoftheRepubIic)asadaydedicatedtopeace.Ms.HowewouldholdorganizedMother&rsquojsDaymeetingsinBoston,Masseveryyear.In1907AnaJarvis,fromPhiladeIphia,beganacampaigntoestabIishanationaIMother’sDay.Ms.Jarvispersuadedhermother’schurchinGrafton,WestVirginiatocelebrateMother&rsquojsDayonthesecondanniversaryofhermother&rsquojsdeath,the2ndSundayofMay.BythenextyearMother’sDaywasalsocelebratedinPhiladeIphia.Ms.Jarvisandhersupportersbegantowritetoministers,businessmen,andpoliticiansintheirquesttoestabIishanationaIMother’sDay.Itwassuccessfulasby1911Mother’sDaywascelebratedinalmosteverystate.PresidentWoodrowWiIson,in1914,madetheofficiaIannouncementproclaimingMother’sDayasanationaIhoiidaythatwastobeheldeachyearonthe2ndSundayofMay.Accordingtothepassage,theearIiestMother'sdaywascelebratedinA.GreeceUnitedStatesnotmentionedWearenotmakingameritofpioneeringthesaleofthisproductatourend,butwethinkwedeservesomepriorityinyourconsiderations.()A,我们并不以打开此项产品在我处的销路而居功,但认为我们应该得到你方的优先考虑。B.我们并不想以此项产品在我处的销路而居功,但应该得到你方的优先考虑。C.我们为了得到你方的优先考虑,我们只有以此项产品在我处的销路而居功。D,我们并不想以打开此项产品在我处的销路居功而得到你方的优先考虑。Lastwintervocation,alImyfamilywenttoKunming,MaryactingasthetourguideforshewasworkinginKunmingtravelservice.()A.去年我们去昆明旅游时,玛丽当我们的导游,因为她在昆明旅行社工作。B.我们一家去年寒假去了昆明看玛丽导游,因为她在昆明旅行社工作。C.我们家去年寒假去了昆明,由在昆明旅行社工作的玛丽当我们的导游。D.我们一家去年寒假去了昆明，由玛丽当我们的导游，因为她在昆明旅行社エ作。Aprilfool&rsquo；sDayistraditionallyadaytoplaypracticaljokesonothers,sendpeopleonfool&rsquo；serrands,andfooltheunsuspectingNooneknowshowthisholidaybeganbutitwasthoughttohaveoriginatedinFrance.Theclosestpointintimethatcanbeidentifiedasthebeginningofthistraditionwasin1582,inFrance.NewYear&rsquo；sDaywascelebratedonMarch25andcelebrationslasteduntilApril1st.WhenNewYear&rsquo；sDayaschangedfromMarch25toJanuary1stinthemid-1560&rsquo；sbyKingCharlesIX,thereweresomepeoplewhostillcelebrateditonApril1standthosepeoplewerecalledAprilFools.PranksperformedonAprilfool&rsquo；sDayrangefromthesimple,(suchassaying,"；Yourshoe&rsquo；suntied!),totheelaborate.Settingaroommate&rsquo；salarmclockbackanhourisacommongag.Thenewsmediaevengetsinvolved.Forinstance,aBritishshortfilmonceshownonAprilfool&rsquo；sDaywasafairlydetaileddocumentaryabout"spaghettifarmers"；andhowtheyharvesttheircropfromthespaghettitrees.Whatevertheprank,thetricksterusuallyendsitbyyellingtohisvictim,"；AprilFool!"；Aprilfool&rsquo；sDayisa"；for-fun-only"；observance.Nobodyisexpectedtobuygiftsortotaketheir"；significantother"；outtoeatinafancyrestaurant.Nobodygetsoffworkorschool.It&rsquo；ssimplyafunlittleholiday,butaholidayonwhichonemustremainforevervigilant,forhemaybethenextAprilfool!OnAprilfool'sDay,peoplemakefunofothersexceptby().saying"；Yourshoe&rsquo；suntied"；settingaroommate&rsquo；salarmclockbackanhourtakingfriendsouttoeatinanfancyrestaurantshowinghowfarmersharvesttheircropfromtherestaurantMother’sDayisatimeofcommemorationandcelebrationforMom.Itisatimeofbreakfastinbed,familygatherings,andcrayonscribbled"ILoveYou".TheearIiestMother’sDaycelebrationscanbetracedbacktothespringcelebrationsofancientGreeceinhonorofRhea,theMotheroftheGods.Duringthe1600’s,Englandcelebratedadaycalled"MotheringSunday".Celebratedonthe4thSundayofLent(the40dayperiodleadinguptoEaster),"MotheringSunday"honoredthemothersofEngland.IntheUnitedStatesMother’sDaywasfirstsuggestedin1872byJuliaWardHowe(whowrotethewordstotheBattIehymnoftheRepubIic)asadaydedicatedtopeace.Ms.HowewouldholdorganizedMother’sDaymeetingsinBoston,Masseveryyear.In1907AnaJarvis,fromPhiladelphia,beganacampaigntoestabIishanationaIMother’sDay.Ms.Jarvispersuadedhermother&rsquojschurchinGrafton,WestVirginiatocelebrateMother’sDayonthesecondanniversaryofhermother’sdeath,the2ndSundayofMay.BythenextyearMother’sDaywasalsocelebratedinPhiladeIphia.Ms.Jarvisandhersupportersbegantowritetoministers,businessmen,andpoliticiansintheirquesttoestabIishanationaIMother’sDay.Itwassuccessfulasby1911Mother’sDaywascelebratedinalmosteverystate.PresidentWoodrowWiIson,in1914,madetheofficiaIannouncementproclaimingMother’sDayasanationaIhoIidaythatwastobeheldeachyearonthe2ndSundayofMay.JuliaWardHowecelebratedMother'sdayasadaydedicatedto().A.mothersB.fathersC.peaceD.warAprilfool&rsquo；sDayistraditionallyadaytoplaypracticaljokesonothers,sendpeopleonfool&rsquo；serrands,andfooltheunsuspecting"NooneknowshowthisholidaybeganbutitwasthoughttohaveoriginatedinFrance.Theclosestpointintimethatcanbeidentifiedasthebeginningofthistraditionwasin1582,inFrance.NewYear&rsquo；sDaywascelebratedonMarch25andcelebrationslasteduntilApril1st.WhenNewYear&rsquo；sDayaschangedfromMarch25toJanuary1stinthemid-1560&rsquo；sbyKingCharlesIX,thereweresomepeoplewhostillcelebrateditonApril1standthosepeoplewerecalledAprilFools.PranksperformedonAprilfool&rsquo；sDayrangefromthesimple,(suchassaying,"；Yourshoe&rsquo；suntied!),totheelaborate.Settingaroommate&rsquo；salarmclockbackanhourisacommongag.Thenewsmediaevengetsinvolved.Forinstance,aBritishshortfilmonceshownonAprilfool&rsquo；sDaywasafairlydetaileddocumentaryabout"；spaghettifarmers"；andhowtheyharvesttheircropfromthespaghettitrees.Whatevertheprank,thetricksterusuallyendsitbyyellingtohisvictim,"；AprilFool!"；Aprilfool&rsquo；sDayisa"；for-fun-only"；observance.Nobodyisexpectedtobuygiftsortotaketheir"；significantother"；outtoeatinafancyrestaurant.Nobodygetsoffworkorschool.It&rsquo；ssimplyafunlittleholiday,butaholidayonwhichonemustremainforevervigilant,forhemaybethenextAprilfool!WhytheauthorsuggestspeopleremainvigilantatApril1st()BecauseitisNewYear&rsquo；sDayinFrance.Becauseyourfriendswillbuygiftsforyou.BecauseitisAprilfool&rsquo；sDay.Becauseyoumaybeteasedbyothers.15.Mother’sDayisatimeofcommemorationandcelebrationforMom.Itisatimeofbreakfastinbed,famiIygatherings,andcrayonscribbled"ILoveYou".TheearIiestMother’sDaycelebrationscanbetracedbacktothespringcelebrationsofancientGreeceinhonorofRhea,theMotheroftheGods.Duringthe1600’s,Englandcelebratedadaycalled"MotheringSunday".Celebratedonthe4thSundayofLent(the40dayperiodIeadinguptoEaster),"MotheringSunday"honoredthemothersofEngland.IntheUnitedStatesMother’sDaywasfirstsuggestedin1872byJuliaWardHowe(whowrotethewordstotheBattIehymnoftheRepubIic)asadaydedicatedtopeace.Ms.HowewouldholdorganizedMother’sDaymeetingsinBoston,Masseveryyear.In1907AnaJarvis,fromPhiladeIphia,beganacampaigntoestabIishanationaIMother&rsquojsDay.Ms.Jarvispersuadedhermother’schurchinGrafton,WestVirginiatocelebrateMother’sDayonthesecondanniversaryofhermother’sdeath,the2ndSundayofMay.BythenextyearMother’sDaywasalsocelebratedinPhiladeIphia.Ms.Jarvisandhersupportersbegantowritetoministers,businessmen,andpoliticiansintheirquesttoestabIishanationaIMother’sDay.Itwassuccessfulasby1911Mother’sDaywascelebratedinalmosteverystate.PresidentWoodrowWilson,in1914,madetheofficiaIannouncementproclaimingMother’sDayasanationaIhoIidaythatwastobeheldeachyearonthe2ndSundayofMay.ItcanbeinferredfromthepassagethatAnaJarviswasa().womanfromGreecepeacemakerbeIieverofareIigionbusinesswoman16.Mother&rsquo；sDayisatimeofcommemorationandcelebrationforMom.Itisatimeofbreakfastinbed,familygatherings,andcrayonscribbled"；ILoveYou"；.TheearliestMother&rsquo；sDaycelebrationscanbetracedbacktothespringcelebrationsofancientGreeceinhonorofRhea,theMotheroftheGods.Duringthe1600&rsquo；s,Englandcelebratedadaycalled"；MotheringSunday"；.Celebratedonthe4thSundayofLent(the40dayperiodleadinguptoEaster),"；MotheringSunday"；honoredthemothersofEngland.IntheUnitedStatesMother&rsquo；sDaywasfirstsuggestedin1872byJuliaWardHowe(whowrotethewordstotheBattlehymnoftheRepublic)asadaydedicatedtopeace.Ms.HowewouldholdorganizedMother&rsquo；sDaymeetingsinBoston,Masseveryyear.In1907AnaJarvis,fromPhiladelphia,beganacampaigntoestablishanationalMother&rsquo；sDay.Ms.Jarvispersuadedhermother&rsquo；schurchinGrafton,WestVirginiatocelebrateMother&rsquo；sDayonthesecondanniversaryofhermother&rsquo；sdeath,the2ndSundayofMay.BythenextyearMother&rsquo；sDaywasalsocelebratedinPhiladelphia.Ms.Jarvisandhersupportersbegantowritetoministers,businessmen,andpoliticiansintheirquesttoestablishanationalMother&rsquo；sDay.Itwassuccessfulasby1911Mother&rsquo；sDaywascelebratedinalmosteverystate.PresidentWoodrowWilson,in1914,madetheofficialannouncementproclaimingMother&rsquo；sDayasanationalholidaythatwastobeheldeachyearonthe2ndSundayofMay.Ms.Jarvisandhersupportersdidnotwriteto().ministersbusinessmanpoliticiansD.mothers17.Mother’sDayisatimeofcommemorationandcelebrationforMom.Itisatimeofbreakfastinbed,familygatherings,andcrayonscribbled"ILoveYou".TheearIiestMother’sDaycelebrationscanbetracedbacktothespringcelebrationsofancientGreeceinhonorofRhea,theMotheroftheGods.Duringthe1600’s,Englandcelebratedadaycalled"MotheringSunday".Celebratedonthe4thSundayofLent(the40dayperiodIeadinguptoEaster),"MotheringSunday"honoredthemothersofEngland.IntheUnitedStatesMother’sDaywasfirstsuggestedin1872byJuliaWardHowe(whowrotethewordstotheBattIehymnoftheRepublie)asadaydedicatedtopeace.Ms.HowewouldholdorganizedMother’sDaymeetingsinBoston,Masseveryyear.In1907AnaJarvis,fromPhiladeIphia,beganacampaigntoestabIishanationaIMother’sDay.Ms.Jarvispersuadedhermother’schurchinGrafton,WestVirginiatocelebrateMother’sDayonthesecondanniversaryofhermother’sdeath,the2ndSundayofMay.BythenextyearMother’sDaywasalsocelebratedinPhiladeIphia.Ms.Jarvisandhersupportersbegantowritetoministers,businessmen,andpoliticiansintheirquesttoestabIishanationaIMother’sDay.Itwassuccessfulasby1911Mother’sDaywascelebratedinalmosteverystate.PresidentWoodrowWiIson,in1914,madetheofficiaIannouncementproclaimingMother’sDayasanationaIhoIidaythatwastobeheldeachyearonthe2ndSundayofMay.Mother'sDaybecameanationaIhoiidayin().1872190719111914InthissectionyouwillheareverythingONCEONLY.Listencarefullyandthenanswerthequestionsthatfollow.Murkthecorrectanswertoeachquestiononyourcolouredanswersheet.Formostpeoplewhohavesleepingtroubles,whichofthefollowingisthemostusualcauseTheirroomisnotcozy.Theyarebusyandoccupied.Theyhavechronicdisease.Theytakeanapafterlunch.InthissectionyouwillheareverythingONCEONLY.Listencarefullyandthenanswerthequestionsthatfollow.Markthecorrectanswertoeachquestiononyourcolouredanswersheet.Question6isbasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven10secondstoanswerthequestion.

Nowlistentothenews.20.Questions7and8arebasedonthefollowingnews.Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven20secondstoanswerthequestions.Nowlistentothenews.WhichofthefollowingisTRUEofthepeoplesufferingfromtheaccident15evacuated,15evacuated,2seriouslyinjured,5missing.15evacuated,15evacuated,2moderatelyinjured,5missing.50evacuated,2moderatelyinjured,nonemissing.50evacuated,2seriouslyinjured,nonemissing.Questions9and10arebasedonthefollowingnews,Attheendofthenewsitem,youwillbegiven20secondstoanswerthequestions.Nowlistentothenews.WhendidthespaceshuttleEndeavourlandWednesdaynightAnhourbeforesunset.Anhouraftersunset.G.Anhourbeforesunrise.D.Anhouraftersunrise.Inthissectiontherearefourreadingpassagesfollowedbyatotalof20multiple-choicequestions.Readthepassagesandthenmarkyouranswersonyourcolouredanswersheet.{{B}}TEXTA{{/B}}St.Petersburg,theverynamebringstomindsomeofRussia,sgreatestpoets,writersandcomposers：Pushkin,Dostoevsky,Tchaikovsky.The19thcenturywasagoldenageforSt.Petersburg*swealthyclasses.Itwasaworldofballetsandballs,ofartandliterature,ofteaandcaviar.ThegoldenageendedwiththeadventofWorldWarI.Workingpeopleweregrowingmoreandmorediscontented.In1917,Communismcame,promisingpeaceandprosperity.St.PetersburghadbecomePetrogradin1914.PeoplewantedaRussiannamefortheircity.Tenyearslater,thecity'snamechangedagain,thistimetoLeningrad.Thenin1991,Leningradersvotedtorestorethecity'soriginalname.Somepeopleopposedthenamechangealtogether.Othersthoughtitwasjusttoosoon.Old,run-downSovietLeningrad,theysaid,wasnottheSt.Petersburgof19th-centuryliterature.What,then,isSt.PetersburgIntheconfusingpost-Communistworld,noonereallyknows.Thequiet,ifSoviet-style,dignityisgone.TheCommunistsayingsaredownandgaudyadvertisingup.Candybarsandcigarettesaresoldfromboxy,tastelesskiosks.AndclothingWell,anythinggoes.Everyonewantstobealittledifferent.Butmanypeopledonotknowthetruemeaningoffreedom.Personalcrimehasgoneup,up,upinthepastfewyears.Yetinspiteofthis,youcanstillfindsomeofthecity'sgrandpast.StandatthewesterntipofVasilievskyIsland.TothefightistheelegantWinterPalace,formerhomeoftheczars.ItslightbluesidesandwhiteclassicalcolumnsmakeitperhapsSt.Petersburg'smostgracefulbuilding.Ithousesoneoftheworld'smostfamousartmuseums：theHermitage.Inside,20kmofgallerieshousethousandsofworksofart.Lookoveryourrightshoulder.ThemassivegoldendomeofSt.Isaac'sCathedralrisesabovetheskyline.You'11see,too,whySt.Petersburgiscalledanfloatingcity."Standingthere,nearlysurroundedbywater,youcanseefourofthecity's42islands.CrossthebridgeandturnbehindtheWinterPalace.InthemiddleofthehugePalaceSquarestandstheAlexanderColumn.ItcommemoratesRussia,svictoryoverNapoleon.The650-tongranitecolumnisnotattachedtothebaseinanyway.Itsownweightkeepsitupright.Hoistedintoplacein1832,ithasstoodthereeversince.ContinuetoNevskyProspekt,theheartoftheoldcity.Letthecrowdshurrybywhileyoutakeyourtime.Admirethefinecarvingonbridgesandcolumns,abovedoorwaysandwindows.Crossovercanalsandpassbysmallerpalacesandotherclassicalstructures.Letyoureyesdrinkinthelightblues,greens,yellowsandpinks.TaketimetowanderamongKazanCathedral'ssemicircleofenormousbrowncolumns.Or,ifyoupreferRussian-stylearchitecture,crossthestreetandfollowthecanalashortdistance.TheChurchoftheResurrectionoccupiesthesitewhereCzarAlexanderIIwasassassinatedin1881.TraveloutsidethecitytoPetrodvoretsPalaceforatasteofoldimperialgrandeur.AfteravisittoFranceinthelate17thcentury,PetertheGreatdecidedtobuildapalaceforhimselfbetterthanVersailles.Hisdreamnevercametrueinhislifetime.Ittookalmosttwocenturiestocompletethepalaceandparkcomplex.Seldomdoesanycityhavethechancetoreinventitself.ThatchancehasnowcometoSt.Petersburg.Afewpeoplemighthopetoreturntothegloryofthepast,butmostknowthatisimpossible.Theywanttopreservethebestofpastetasandpushahead.Youcanbetthecitywon'tbeoldSt.Petersburg,butsomethingaltogetherdifferent.In1935,St.PetersburgwascalledSt.Petersburg.Petrograd.Leningrad.VasiIievsky.{{B}}TEXTB{{/B}}Iwastakenbyafriendoneafternoontoatheatre.Whenthecurtainwasraised,thestagewasperfectlyemptysavefortallgreycurtainswhichencloseditonallsides,andpresentlythroughthethickfoldsofthosecurtainschildrencamedancingin,singly,orinpairs,tillawholetroopoftenortwelvewereassembled.Theywereallgirls；none,Ithinkmorethanfourteenyearsold,oneortwocertainlynotmorethaneight.Theyworebutlittleclothing,theirlegs,feetandarmsbeingquitebare.Theirhair,too,wasunbound；andtheirfaces,graveandsmiling,weresoutterlydearandjoyful,thatinlookingonthemonefelttransportedtosomeGardenofHesperides,awhereselfwasnot,andthespiritfloatedinpureether.Someofthesechildrenwerefairandrounded,othersdarkandelf-like；butoneandalllookedentirelyhappy,andquiteunself-conscious,givingnoimpressionofartifice,thoughtheyhadevidentlyhadthehighestandmostcarefultraining.Eachflightandwhirlingmovementseemedconceivedthereandthenoutofthejoyofbeing—dancinghadsurelyneverbeenalabourtothem,eitherinrehearsalorperformance.Therewasnotiptoeingandposturing,nohopelessmuscularachievement；allwasrhythm,music,light,air,andaboveallthings,happiness.Smilesandlovehadgonetothefashioningoftheirperformance；andsmilesandloveshonefromeveryoneoftheirfacesandfromthecleverwhiteturningsoftheirlimbs.Amongstthem一thoughallweredelightfu!一thereweretwowhoespeciallyrivetedmyattention.Thefirstofthesetwowasthetallestofallthechildren,adarkthingirl,inwhoseeveryexpressionandmovementtherewasakindofgrave,fierylove.Duringoneofthemanydances,itfelltohertobethepursuerofafairchild,whosemovementshadaverystrangesoftcharm；andthischase,whichwaslikethehoveringofadragonflyroundsomewaterlily,orthewooingofamoonbeambytheJunenight,hadinitamostmagicalsweetpassion.Thatdark,tenderhuntress,sofulloffireandyearning,hadthequeerestpowerofsymbolisingalllonging,andmovingone'sheartInher,pursuingherwhitelovewithsuchwistfulfervour,andeverarrestedattheverymomentofconquest,oneseemedtoseethegreatsecretforcethathuntsthroughtheworld,onandon,tragicallyunresting,immortallysweet.Theotherchildwhoparticularlyenhancedmewasthesmallestbutone,abrown-hairedfairycrownedwithahaftmoonofwhiteflowers,whoworeascantylittlerose-petal-colouredshiftthatfloatedaboutherinthemostdelightfulfashion.Shedancedasneverchilddanced.Everyinchofhersmallbeadandbodywasfullofthesacredfireofmotion；andinherlittlepasseulsheseemedtobetheveryspiritofmovement.OnefeltthatJoyhadflowndown,andwasinhabitingthere；oneheardtheripplingofJoy'slaughter.And,indeed,throughallthetheatrehadrisenarustlingandwhispering；andsuddenburstsoflaughingrapture.Ilookedatmyfriend；hewastryingstealthilytoremovesomethingfromhiseyeswithafinger.Andtomyselfthestageseemedverymisty,andallthingsintheworldlovable；asthoughthatdancingfairyhadtouchedthemwithtenderfire,andmadethemgold