The most obvious difference is that，unlike US dramas，the British soap operas focus on the real world.There is little glamour，the stars are rarely rich，and they normally have boring jobs.Perhaps the appeal is that the lives of the characters often mirror the lives of the audience—but with some drama added.This means the viewer can relate to the characters and feel the pain and happiness they go through on the show.
Because these soap operas last for decades，the cast is ever changing.The shows rarely focus on one or two main characters.Like the real world，people come and go all the time.However，there are exceptions.Coronation Street’s William Roach,76，has played the role of Ken Barlow since the very first episode of the show in 1960，and he is still a regular.
The choice of which soap opera you follow is often cultural：People from the north of British tend to watch Coronation Street as it is set in Manchester.People from the south generally prefer Eastenders，which is set in the east of London.The show is generally considered grittier and is aimed at a younger audience.
【语篇解读】 本文主要介绍了什么是英国的肥皂剧、英国肥皂剧与美国电视剧的区别、英国肥皂剧的主要特点以及英国人喜欢看英国肥皂剧的主要原因。
1．What does this passage mainly talk about?
A．British people like to know things about other people.
B．British team can get Olympic gold medals.
C．What is British soap opera.
D．People in the north like different things from the people in the south.
解析 主旨大意题。文章的第二段的第一句话是全文的中心句，全文都是围绕英国的“soap opera”展开叙述的，告诉读者什么是英国的肥皂剧。C项符合文章大意，故答案选C。
答案 C
