There are many theories about the beginning of drama in ancient Greece. The one most widely accepted today is based on the 36 that drama evolved from ritual. The argument for this view goes as follows. In the beginning, human beings 37 the natural forces of the world -- even the seasonal changes -- as unpredictable, and they sought through various means to 38 these unknown and dreadful powers. Those measures which appeared to 39 the desired results were then kept and repeated until they hardened into 40 rituals. 41 stories arose which explained or masked the mysteries of the rituals. As time passed some rituals were 42 , but the stories, later called myths, remained and provided material for art and drama.

Those who believe that drama evolved out of ritual also argue that those rituals contained the 43 of theater because music, dance, masks, and 44 were almost always used. 45 , a suitable site had to be provided for performances and 46 the entire community did not participate, a(n) 47 division was usually made between the "acting area" and the "auditorium." In addition, there were performers, and, since considerable importance was 48 to avoiding mistakes in the practice of rituals, religious leaders usually 49 that task. Wearing masks and costumes, they often acted other people, animals, or supernatural beings, and imitated the 50 effect -- success in hunt or battle, the coming rain -- 51 an actor might. Eventually such dramatic representations were separated from 52 activities.

Another theory traces the theater's origin from the human interest in 53 . According to this view, tales about the hunt, war and other things are gradually developed, 54 through the use of imitation and dialogue by a teller, and then through the assumption of each of the roles by a different person. A closely related theory traces theater to those dances that are mainly rhythmical and gymnastic 55 that are imitations of animal movements and sounds.

36. A. background B. assumption C. evidence D. theory

37. A. viewed B. employed C. imagined D. dismissed

38. A. take B. possess C. guarantee D. control

39. A. start B. conclude C. bring D. continue

40. A. usual B. direct C. convincing D. fixed

41. A. Apparently B. Actually C. Eventually D. naturally

42. A. spread B. abandoned C. followed D. celebrated

43. A. seed B. content C. myth D. history

44. A. costumes B. routines C. instructions D. performances

45. A. As a result B. In fact C. On the contrary D. Furthermore

46. A. when B. although C. unless D. before

47. A. deep B. equal C. clear D. extra

48. A. attached B. related C. committed D. dismissed

49. A. presumed B. resumed C. assumed D. consumed

50. A. unexpected B. unpredicted C. circulated D. desired

51. A. whenever B. as C. whatever D. although

52. A. social B. political C. economic D. religious

53. A. poetry B. storytelling C. novels D. dramas

54. A. at a time B. at once C. at first D. at last

55. A. or B. and C. but D. so

第三部分 阅读理解（共15小题；每小题2分，满分30分）