Question

The white swan(天鹅) is among the most beautiful of birds. 1.. It floats quietly on the water, unable to sing sweet songs like most other birds.

In ancient times, however, people believed that the swan was given a special gift of song at the end of its life.

2..

The story of the swan's last song found a place in the works of other writers, including the early English writers Chaucer and Shakespeare.

3.. At first, swan song meant the last work of a poet, musician or writer. Now, it means the final effort of any person. Someone's swan song usually is also considered that person's finest work.

4.. The expression may be used to describe a politician's last campaign, his final attempt to win the cheers and votes of the people. The last hurrah also can mean the last acts of a politician, before his term in office ends.

Writer Edwin O'Connor made the expression popular in 1956. He wrote a book about the final years in the political life of a long-time mayor of Boston, Massachusetts. 5..

Some language experts say the expression came from a name given to noisy supporters of Andrew Jackson—America's seventh president. They cheered hurrah so loudly for Andy Jackson during his presidential campaign that they became known as the hurrah boys.

A. It is mostly silent through its life.

B. He called his book "The Last Hurrah".

C. It is often a symbol of love in many writers' works.

D. A political expression with a similar meaning is the last hurrah.

E. They believed a swan sings a most beautiful song just before it dies.

F. They believed the story of the swan's last song was lost to the world.

G. The expression swan song has long been a part of the English language.

Answer 1