羅拉因為要看中國戲劇而感到特別興奮，早早地拉著雪莉來到了劇院。離演出開始還有好長一段時間，這下他們該干點什么呢？

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Shirley: We came too early. There're still three hours before the performance starts.

Laura: I know. Sorry, I shouldn't have rushed you, but I just couldn't stay at home and wait.

Shirley: Never mind. What about taking a look around the theater?

Laura: Why not? I'd love to do that.

Shirley: Here we go. There is a museum of the Beijing Opera art.

(They come to the museum of the Beijing Opera art.)

Laura: Wow. Look at this. So delicate and beautiful. Did ancient Chinese people really wear them?

Shirley: Not really. They are just opera costumes. Do you like the embroidery?

Laura: I surely do. They must have had advanced machine in ancient China to do that.

Shirley: No, no, no. They are all handmade, girl. You know, the ancient Chinese women were supposed to be good at needlework.

Laura: Unbelievable! I could never do that.

Shirley: Very few can. That's why these clothes only appear in the museum.

Laura: Listen! Some people are singing outside. Is it the opera?

Shirley: Oh, yes. I heard there was an opera fans club. They are probably practicing now. Wanna have a look?

Laura: Yes, let's do it.

Shirley: Follow me. Make sure not to interrupt them.

Laura: Of course not. We don't do that.

聽看學
雪莉：我們來得太早了。離演出開始還有三個小時呢！

羅拉：我知道。對不起，我不該催你的，可我就是受不了在家里等。

雪莉：沒關系。要不我們參觀一下這個劇院？

羅拉：為什么不呢？我很樂意這么做。

雪莉：那我們走吧。這里有一個京劇藝術博物館。

（她們來到了京劇藝術博物館。）

羅拉：哇，看這個。這么精致、漂亮。中國古代的人真穿這些衣服嗎？

雪莉：不是的。它們只是戲服。你喜歡這些刺繡嗎？

羅拉：我當然喜歡了。中國古代一定有先進的機器來做那樣的衣服。

雪莉：不，不，不。它們都是手工制作的，小姑娘。知道嗎，中國古代女子都得做針線活。

羅拉：真是難以置信！我一定做不了這個。

雪莉：很少有人能做到。這就是為什么這些衣服只出現在博物館里啊。

羅拉：聽！有人在外面唱歌。那就是戲曲嗎？

雪莉：哦，是的。我聽說這里有一個戲迷俱樂部。他們現在可能在排練。想去看看嗎？

羅拉：好的，我們去看看。

雪莉：跟我來。得保證不打擾他們哦。

羅拉：當然不會。我們可不會那么做。

經典背誦 Recitation
Laura: I arrived at the theater with Aunt Shirley 3 hours ahead of the show. It was because I was too excited to stay at home and wait. So we decided to take a look around the theater. There was a museum of the Beijing Opera art. I saw some very beautiful opera costumes. I wondered how the ancient people had managed to make those things with hands. It's just unbelievable!

生詞小結
costume n. 戲服

embroidery n. 刺繡

handmade adj. 手工制的

needlework n. 針線活

語素 Material
Broadway

Broadway in New York is the center of American modern musicals and operas. Even the stars of Hollywood dream to put on a show there, figuring that would be the pride of their art lives. The most talented musician of Broadway is Andrew Webber, who created many very famous musicals and operas, including Cats, Chicago, and the Phantom of the Opera House.

百老匯

紐約的百老匯是美國現代歌舞劇的中心。甚至好萊塢的明星都夢想著能到那里表演，他們認為那將成為他們藝術生涯的驕傲。百老匯最有才華的音樂家是安德魯?韋伯，他創作了很多非常著名的歌舞劇，包括《貓》、《芝加哥》和《歌劇媚影》。

The Four Greatest Masters of Beijing Opera

Beijing Opera is the treasure of Chinese culture. Mei Lanfang, Cheng Yanqiu, Shang Xiaoyun, and Xun Huisheng are recognized as the four greatest artists of Beijing Opera. Among them, Mei Lanfang is acknowledged to be the symbol of China's performing art. During his stage career, he created many lively and unforgettable artistic images. He dedicated his whole life to the art. He is undoubtedly the pride of China.

中國京劇四大名旦

京劇是中國文化的瑰寶。梅蘭芳、程硯秋、尚小云和荀慧生被合稱為京劇四大名旦。其中，梅蘭芳被公認為是中國表演藝術的代表。在他的舞臺生涯中，他塑造了許多生動且令人難以忘懷的藝術形象。他把一生都獻給了藝術。毫無疑問他是中國的驕傲。