Question

For many children the search for E.T. or life from another planet may seem to be already over. What is it about this big-eyed creature from outer space that has made America’s children and many adults so excited? Psychologists say that the film E.T., like ancient fairy tales, contains powerful stories that help children through the difficult process of growing up. The message that fairy tales bring to the child is that a struggle against severe difficulties in life cannot be avoided, but that if one does not run away but meets unexpected and often unjust hardships, one overcomes all obstacles（困難） and at the end comes out victorious.

Today’s children, growing up alone in homes separated from other children, need fairy tales even more than those did at the time when the tales were first told. In E.T. they find a fairy tale with a special interest because it is set in the space age, which is closer to their situation than a story set in an old castle. E.T. may not be good-looking physically, but he is totally harmless, kind and charming. No child need fear an outer space filled with creatures like E.T. Actually, children often have a strong need for imaginary playmates.

For all children, the film raises the question of the need to grow up and the desire to stay a child. Elliott decides not to go with E.T. aboard the spaceship, where he could continue living in an imaginary world. As one child said, “Elliott stayed on Earth because he has to grow up and you can’t grow up on the faraway planet of Jupiter. You stay small and a kid like E.T.”

The film offers many ideas from the traditional fairy tale. Firstly, good children get the better of bad adults. Secondly, the hero is put in a difficult position in the early stages of the story but there is a happy ending when he is finally rescued. Thirdly, the film offers the idea of rebirth, which is found in many fairy tales. Finally, the story also reminds one of “The Three Feathers” by the well-known writers of fairy tales—the Grimm brothers. In this story, the youngest son wins his father’s kingdom by defeating his brothers with the help of an ugly old toad（癩蛤�。�. But to a final test, to bring back the most beautiful woman, he wins again by choosing the toad who turns into a beauty. Thus, it is love which turns even ugly things into something beautiful. It’s easy to see how that is true of E.T.

1. The story of E.T. tells people______.

 A. how difficult the process of growing up can be

 B. How parents should take good care of their lonely children

 C. victory can be achieved if people face difficulties bravely

 D. that children need playmates and fairy tales badly

2. One of the reasons children like E.T. is that______.

 A. E.T. is a big-eyed good-looking creature      B. the story is set in an old castle

 C. it is an exciting, ancient fairy tale            D. E.T. is likable, harmless and kind-hearted

3. Elliott did not go with E.T. on board the spaceship because_______.

 A. he did not belong there                 

B. he would look like E.T. there

 C. he had to stay on earth and “grow up”     

D. E.T.’s home was an imaginary place that did not exist

4. The theme of “The Three Feathers” is _______.

 A. love can turn ugly things into something beautiful    

B. good children get the better of bad adults

C. brave people can overcome all difficulties           

D. good people will finally enjoy a rebirth

Answer 1

CDCA