28. What does the first sentence mean?

A. Mei Lanfang plays an important role in Peking Opera.

B. Mei Lanfang made Peking Opera a complete art form.

C. Peking Opera was first introduced to the world by Mei Lanfang.

D. Peking Opera would not be well-known without Mei Lanfang.

29. How long did it take Mei Lanfang to exercise his eyes into bright and expressive

　　ones?

A. About 8 years. B. About 10 years.

C. About 12 years. D. About 14 years.

30. What is the meaning of the underlined word "legacy" in paragraph 3?

A. Something of little importance.

B. Someone well known all over the world.

C. Someone considered to be an art treasure.

D. Something valuable passed down from generation to generation.

31. What is the main idea of the passage?

A. The history of Peking Opera.

B. Mei Lanfang's early stage life.

C. The creations of Peking Opera by Mei Lanfang.

D. Mei Lanfang's great contributions to Peking Opera.

　　D

　　Happy birthday! Do birthdays really make people happy? Of course they do. Birthdays celebrate the day we were born. Besides, that extra candle on the cake suggests another year of growth and maturity(成熟)-or so we hope. We all like to imagine that we're getting wiser and not just older. Most of us enjoy seeing the miracle of growth in others, as well. For instance, seeing our children develop and learn new things makes us feel proud. For Americans, like people in most cultures, growing up is a wonderful process. But growing old? That's a different story.

　　Growing old is not exactly pleasant for people in youth-oriented American culture. Most Americans like to look young, act young and feel young. As the old saying goes, "You're as young as you feel." Older people joke about how many years young they are, rather than how many years old. People in some countries value the aged as a source of experience and wisdom. But Americans seem to favor those who are young, or at least "young at heart".

　　Many older Americans find the "golden years" to be anything but golden. Economically, "senior citizens" often struggle just to get by. Retirement at age 65 brings a sharp decrease in personal income. Social security benefits usually cannot make up the difference. Older people may suffer from poor nutrition, medical care and housing. Some even experience age discrimination (歧视). In 1987, American sociologist Pat Moore dressed up like an older person and wandered city streets. She was often treated rudely-even cheated and robbed. However, dressed as a young person, she received much more respect.

Unfortunately, the elderly population in America is increasing fast. Why? People are living together. Fewer babies are being born. And middle-aged "baby boomers" are rapidly entering the groups of the elderly. America may soon be a place where