【听力原文】

There are many theories about the beginning of drama in ancient Greece ./The one most widely accepted today is based on the assumption /that drama evolved from ritual. /The argument for this view goes as follows./In the beginning, human beings viewed the natural forces of the world. /even the seasonal changes—as unpredictable, /and they sought through various means to control these unknown and feared powers. /Those measures which appeared to bring the desired results were then retained and repeated/until they were hardened into fixed rituals. / As time passed some rituals were abandoned , /but the stories, later called myths ，/persisted and provided material for art and drama. /Some people argue that those rites contained the seed of theater/because music, dance, masks, and costumes were almost always used. / Furthermore, a suitable site had to be provided for performances/and when the entire community did not participate, /a clear division was usually made between the acting area and the auditorium.

【核心词汇】

assumption n.假定，臆断

myth n.神话

retain v.保持,保留

ritual n.（宗教等的）仪式

evolve from 从…逐渐（发展）形成