productions；they also greatly influenced playwrights(剧作家)throughout history. Antigone and Medea are among these plays.

Sadly，the Dark Ages was a time when drama became nearly extinct. There was no theater in Rome during that time. Ironically(讽刺地)，the Christian church that nearly destroyed drama was also responsible for its reappearance. The church began to present Passion Play.

It was the Renaissance that saw a huge reappearance in all types of art，including drama. William Shakespeare，one of the world's most famous playwrights，wrote and produced many plays that are still performed regularly even today.

At first，the world of drama belonged to men. Even Shakespeare's plays were entirely performed by men. In the mid 1600s a few pioneering women began to pave the way for women in the theater. It was quite some time，about half a century，before acting was considered as an acceptable profession for women.

The 18th century was a time when more plays were written for and about the middle class. Toward the end of the century，the Romantic period began in Western Europe，which heavily influenced the theater of that age. Unlike the previous drama，romanticism focused on emotion rather than intelligence. This movement continued through the beginning of the 19th century.

Realism superseded Romanticism，paving the way for the age of contemporary drama. Romanticism gave way to Realism. Contemporary drama shows the influence of all that has come before. Modern drama involved much experimentation with new forms and ideas. The public fancy changes，but people's love of drama is as strong as ever.

【语篇解读】　本文主要介绍了戏剧的发展。

5．When were women allowed to take up acting in drama as a career?

A．Before the Dark Ages.

B．Before Shakespeare's time.

C．In the middle of the 17th century.

D．At the beginning of the 18th century.

答案　D　[细节理解题。根据第四段可知，在17世纪中期，有几位妇女开始为妇女从事戏剧业斗争；再根据末句可知半个世纪后表演戏剧才成为妇女可以从