Passage Two

　　Some of the most popular attractions across America are the many free concerts offered to public theroughout the year. These involve not only amateur performers, but professional artists as well.The public parks of many cities across the country usually have bandstands and large lawns. As a service to citizens, they rent ou space to performers free of charge. Amateur groups, with nothing more than a desire to perform offer their talents freely to public. Semi-professional artists are pleased to get the chance toperform before the public to perfect their craft and nurture the hope of being discovered before beginning a professional career. Famous professionals also give free concerts to make contact with their admiring fans. Often such concerts are sponsored by a large corporate organization and offered to the public free of charge as a cultural service and support for the arts.

　　The free concerts feature all kinds of music from rock and roll,jazz, country-western to the classics. In addition, free performances may include the plays of Shakespeare or experimental theea

　　perf to artists are pleased to get the chance to perform before theater of moderm dramatists. In New York’s Central Park there has long been a summer Shakespeare festival which draws huge crowds to the free performances.

　　Of these concerts the ones held on a sunmmer evening in the park are the most popular. They take on a festive air. Friends and groups gather together after work and spresd out a blanket on the lawn facing the performers’ stage. The early comers get the best locations and enjoy a picnic supper while it is still dalight. The free seating is on a first com basis. Therefore, by the time the concert begins, as many as five thousand or more people may be in attendance. The concerts usually begin at 8 p.m and are performed under the stars. The sound is made sufficiently loud so that no matter where one chooses to sit, he can hear very well. The only disturbance may be the sound of an overhead airplane on its final approach to an airport or the far-off siren(警笛聲) of an ambulance on tis way to the hospital. This matters little ! What counts is to soak up the atmosphere created by the music and to be with friends in the fresh open air. The best part of it all is that it’s free!

　　36. Many American parks give free concerts on their lawns because they_______.

　　A.have the necessary facilities B.can attact more visitors

　　C.want to serve the public D. are in a position to invite musicians

　　37. The concerts in parka are often financially supported by_______.

　　A. the parks themselves B.big organizations

　　C.professional musicians D.music fans.

　　38. For semi-professional artists, performing before the public is a good chance _________.

　　A. to imprope themselves in their career

　　B. to help train amateur performers

　　C.to make friends with superstars

　　D. to get involved in profitable business

　　39. The concerts can attract so many people mainly because__________.

　　A.the attendants don’t have to pay.

　　B.the seating is on a first come basis

　　C.they provide free picnic supper

　　D. they are held in open air

　　40. The phrase “soak up ” in the last paragraph probably means__________.

　　A. absorb B.warm up

　　C.enjoy D. use up