The day of the Sabbath was viewed as one dedicated to God, not one of relaxation.
The early industrial period in Europe saw a six-day work week with only Sunday off, but some workers had no days off at all. Only the workers’ rights movements in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century saw a five-day work week introduced as Saturday became a day of rest and relaxation. This movement began in England.
In many ways this has been a great boon to the economy as it leads to a great increase in consumer spending on Saturdays as restaurant visits, motorcar journeys, or trips to the movies became common on Saturday. Many jurisdictions continued to enforce strict Lord’s Day laws on Sunday, which meant that most places of recreation, such as stores and theaters, were forced to close on that day. These regulations began to weaken in the years after the Second World War, and Sunday also became a day of recreation for many.
After centuries of development, the weekend is now a part of the week usually lasting two days in which most paid workers do not work. This is a time for leisure and recreation, and for religious activities. Christian religions celebrate a day of rest known as the Sabbath, also called the Lord’s Day. It is on Sunday. Before the industrial revolution the day of the Sabbath was viewed as one dedicated to God, not one of relaxation. The early industrial period in Europe saw a six-day work week with only Sunday off. Only the workers’ rights movements in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century saw a five-day work week introduced as Saturday became a day of rest and relaxation In many ways this has been a great boon to the economy as it leads to a great increase in consumer spending on Saturdays. After the Second World War, and Sunday also became a day of recreation for many. The weekend is now a part of the week usually lasting two days in which most paid workers do not work. This is a time for leisure and recreation, and for religious activities.
VI. Further Listening and Speaking
Task2: The Modern Circus
Script
The first modern circus was staged in London in 1768 by Philip Astley, a former English cavalry officer, who performed as a trick ride. Beginning with a visit to Paris in 1772, Astley introduced the circus in cities throughout continental Europe and was responsible for establishing permanent circuses in a number of European countries as well as in England. A circus was first presented in 1793 at the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg.
th
By the early 19 century, several permanently-based circuses were located in larger European cities. In addition, small traveling shows moved from town to town in covered wagons in which the performers lived. The traveling shows were usually simple affairs, featuring a fiddler or two, a juggler, a ropedancer, and a few acrobats. In the early circuses such performers gave their shows in open spaces and took up a collection for pay; later, the performers used elaborate shows. In the earlier part of the 19th century a main feature of the permanent circus program was the presentation of grams that included displays of horsemanship. Throughout the 19th century the circus evolved in programming and management. Initially, trained horse and horsemanship performances dominated circuses, but ropedancing, juggling, acrobatic acts, wild-animal acts, and clowning were all introduced within the first few decades. The flying trapeze, an important part of the modern circus, was not invented until 1858, and the street parade and sideshow did not become standard circus events until later in the 19th century. Tents are believed to have come into use in the 1820s, but it is uncertain whether they appeared first in Europe or in the United States.
Nowadays, the entertainment activities offered at a circus are more elaborate, generally consisting of displays of horsemanship, exhibitions by gymnasts, aerialists, wild-animal trainer, performing animals, and comic performance by clowns.
27. What was Phillip Astley especially good at?
28. According to the passage, what was true of the early traveling shows? 29. What acts were featured in permanent circus programs in the early 19th century?
30. When were wild-animal acts introduced?
31. What is the main idea of the passage?
Keys: 1C 2.A3. B 4.B 5.D
For Reference
They are more elaborate, generally consisting of displays of horsemanship, exhibitions by gymnasts, aerialists, wild-animal trainer, performing animals, and comic performance by clowns
Task 3: I’m doing a lot of things on the computer!
Script
Barbara: Jack, you’re sitting in front of your computer again! The
sea and the sand are only steps only away. Why are you wasting these beautiful holidays? The summer will be over before you know it.
Jack: I’m not wasting the holidays as you say. The computer is a
good thing. On the Internet you can go to any part of the world; I can see everything in the world. It’s more real than reality.
Barbara: But…but you can’t spend your entire summer watching that
screen. You’ll get a big bottom.
Jack: I’m not just watching the screen. I’m doing a lot of
things—I’m sending e-mails, I’m learning things, I’m chatting in chat rooms…
Barbara: Right! But I’ll bet you’re spending most of your time
playing computer games—a time-wasting, mindless activity that I’ll turn your brain into Chinese doufoo.
Jack: No, it isn’t a single mindless pastime. It’s many activities:
role-playing games, arcade games, adventure games, strategy games…
Barbara: I understand the computer is a wonderful thing, but you
have to be careful not to get too much of a good thing. Every life needs some variety in it. It would be a lot healthier if you played a chess game outdoors, in the park.
Jack: It wouldn’t be the same. In those games in the park I can’t
play against the grandmaster of Moscow, can I? And there are creative games in the computer, where I can learn city planning and psychology.
Barbara: Well, what about me? Don’t you think I’d like a little attention?
Jack: Now, Baby, that’s no way to talk. After all this time
together, you know I love you.
Barbara: I’m not so sure any more. It’s time you made a choice. Is
it going to be more me or the computer?
Jack: Well…
1. Where does this dialog probably take place?
2. What dose the man like to do according to the dialog?
3. What does the woman mean when she says the man’s brain will turn into Chinese doufoo?
4. What does the man think about a chess game outdoors?
5. What does the woman mean when she says, “Don’t you think I’d like a little attention?”
Keys: 1.A 2.B 3. C 4.D 5.C
For Reference
1. He says that in those games in the park he can’t play against the grandmaster of Moscow. And there are creative games in the computer, where he can learn city planning and psychology,
2. She asks him to make a choice between her and the computer.
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