39.

35.

36.

37.

38.

40.

41. According to this article, theories of the origins of theater _____. (A) are well supported by factual evidence (B) have reached a consensus among historians (C) were expressed in the early stages of theater’s development (D) are mostly accurate and substantiated by facts (E) are mainly hypothetical and drawn from inferences

42. According to this article, some societies developed and repeated ceremonial actions in order to _____. (A) consolidate members of the society (B) ensure the society’s continuous prosperity (C) help society better understand the supernatural forces (D) distinguish their beliefs from those of other societies (E) distribute the food supply in case of emergency

43. According to this article, which of the following may cause societies to abandon certain rites? (A) Emphasizing theater as entertainment. (B) Finding a more sophisticated way of representing mythical characters. (C) Developing a new understanding of why events occur. (D) Moving from a primarily oral tradition to a written tradition. (E) Considering theater as a religious tool.

44. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as possible reasons that led societies to develop theater? (A) Theater presents a platform for people to deal with their fear and anxiety. (B) Theater gives people an opportunity to imagine a better reality. (C) Theater provides a chance for people to mediate their religious differences. (D) Theater offers a way for people to enjoy imitating other people and things. (E) Theater is a place where people can fulfill their hopes in fiction.

45. Which of the following best expresses the central meaning of the underlined sentence in the last paragraph? (A) Myths sometimes survived in a society’s oral tradition because of their artistic qualities even after they were no longer deemed religiously beneficial. (B) A society’s rites were more likely to be retained in the written tradition if its myths were admired for artistic qualities rather than religious benefits. (C) The artistic quality of a myth was seldom an essential reason for a society to abandon it from the oral tradition regardless of its religious functions. (D) Some early societies have high regard for certain rites in their religious practices and make the effort to preserve them even when they ceased to be seen as useful. (E) Myths seldom survived in a society’s tradition as part of the oral culture even when the rituals were still in practice.