The main part of this chapter will deal directly with the technical and artistic limitations and resources that make television unique. But some important differences between television and other forms of literature need mentioning before we begin.

　　In the first place, since the literature of television is transmitted simultaneously to millions of people, its creators are subject to limitations of theme, language, and style. In general, the wider the base of the audience, the greater the degree of restriction imposed on the creator, and no contemporary literary form has a more massive audience than television.

　　In the second place, the line that separates commercial interests from literary interests in television is less distinct than in most other literary forms. To be sure, the publisher of novels and the producer of stage plays are concerned with making money. But in television the advertiser, the man who pays the bill, is primarily concerned with the sale of a commercial product rather than an artistic one. At the same time, selling products and presenting high quality programs are not necessarily incompatible motives. There are, in fact, numerous examples of sponsors who have done both simultaneously.

　　We must remember, too, that the literature of television, unlike most types of literature, is highly ephemeral (短暫的) in character. At the moment, the libraries of television are its "reruns", but even so, a particular show must be seen at a specific time or it cannot be seen at all. As a result, studying or teaching about television presents certain problems not found in the study of other types of literature, except the legitimate stage.

　　21. Since the literature of television is sent out to millions of people at the same time, its creators are likely to have the following limitations EXCEPT_______.

　　A. subject

　　B. choice of words

　　C. the place where they transmit television program

　　D. expression by means of words

22. According to the author the creators of television have the greatest degree of restriction in theme, language, and style, this is because_______.

　　A. television has a large number of audiences

　　B. television can only last a short period of time

　　C. television combines commercial interests and literary interests

　　D. both A and B

　　23. The sentence " selling products and presenting high quality programs are not necessarily incompatible motives" could be paraphrased as_______.

　　A. the purposes of selling products and presenting high quality programs can be realized at the same time

　　B. the motives of selling products and presenting high quality programs can not be matched

　　C. selling products overweighs presenting high quality programs

　　D. presenting high quality programs overweighs selling products

　　24. Which of the following most correctly summarizes the main idea of the passage?

　　A. The limitations and resources of television.

　　B. The differences between television and other forms of literature.

　　C. Television has a more massive audience than other literary forms.

　　D. Television has a very short life.

　　25. This passage has probably been taken from a_______.

　　A. newspaper ad B. magazine

　　C. public speech D. book

答案 21. C 22. A 23. A 24. B 25. D