题目内容
Prince William said he was delighted that the 2012 Olympic Games ________ in London.
- A.would be held
- B.would hold
- C.will be held
- D.will hold
1685 was a very good year for German composers. Within the space of a month, two of the greatest were born: Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel.
Handel’s father was a barber and surgeon, which sounds like a strange combination today, but back then those occupations went hand in hand. Even though Handel was very interested in music, his father didn’t think that was a good way to earn a living, so he wanted his son to be a lawyer. The story goes that Handel smuggled a quiet piano into the house so that he could practice in secret.
One day, Handel went along when his father went to shave a duke. While his father was working, Handel sat down and played the duke’s organ. The duke was so impressed that he convinced Handel’s father to let his son study music, and Handel finally got to learn how to compose.
Handel soon discovered that what he liked most was opera. In fact, he was so passionate about opera that he even fought a duel (决斗) over it with one of his friends. Since Italy was the place to learn about opera composing, Handel went off to Italy to study. When he got home, he got a job as court composer for a German prince.
Having landed such a wonderful job, Handel immediately asked his boss for time off. He wanted to go to England, where he’d heard that there weren’t nearly enough composers to satisfy the British taste for Italian opera.
After great success writing opera in London, Handel came back to Germany. Then fate played a funny trick on Handel and his boss. The Queen of England died, and it just so happened that the prince Handel worked for was next in line to the British throne. When he arrived in London as King George, followed Handel, his court composer in Germany.
In addition to serving the King, Handel became one of the most successful opera composers of his time. And he also produced them and traveled all over Europe to hire the best singers. There are stories of battles with rival opera producers and of fights between rival singers. Handel apparently had quite a temper.
If you ever go to London, look for Handel’s grave in Westminster Abbey, where there’s a wonderful monument to him.
1.How did Handel begin to learn to compose?
A.His father was sure of his future success. |
B.His performance impressed a duke. |
C.He begged his father to send him to Italy. |
D.He practiced hard and taught himself music. |
2.What does the underlined word “smuggled” mean in the passage?
A.bought secretly |
B.took secretly |
C.carried in advance |
D.possessed personally |
3. Why did Handel later settle down in Britain instead of Germany?
A.Because he could find better jobs in London. |
B.Because he enjoyed greater fame in London. |
C.Because his boss became King of Britain and brought him along. |
D.Because London was a wonderful place to learn about opera. |
4.Which of the following words can NOT be used to describe Handel, as shown in the passage?
A.bad-tempered |
B.talented |
C.enthusiastic |
D.optimistic |
5. Which of the following statements is WRONG according to the passage?
A.Handel was born in the same year with Bach. |
B.Many people worked both as a barber and a surgeon. |
C.Handel quit his job to learn about opera in Italy. |
D.Handel was buried in London and was built a monument. |
第二节(共5小题;每小题2分,满分10分)
根据短文内容,从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
I was in Tokyo last spring, walking in the street and talking with my dear friend Kirsten. 71 It turned out to be a group of four very hip Japanese college students playing their music instruments for anyone who would listen.
72 In the middle of the second song, an old homeless man broke through the crowd and started shouting at the band. The musicians did their best to ignore him but the man would not go away. It seemed he was angry about the loud noise.
I remember there were probably two dozen people watching this. 73 I was also helpless because first, I couldn’t speak much Japanese, and second, the homeless man was starting to get more and more violent. At one point, he picked up a stick and started banging on the drum set.
This was more than the young drummer could take. He stopped playing, stood up and pushed the old man to the ground.
74 He knelt down next to the old man, took hold of his hands and asked him if he was alright. I couldn’t understand what was being said, but I will never forget the way this young man helped bring the fallen man to his feet. And I will never forget the way he carefully placed his arm around the old man’s shoulders and quietly walked him away.
75 Maybe this old man was a prince in disguise. And maybe he was waiting to see someone act, just once, with beauty and courage.
A.I couldn’t help but wonder. |
B.All of them went away at once. |
C.Suddenly, we heard the sound of a jazz band. |
D.Everybody became angry with the old man. |
E.But no one knew what they could or should do.
F.However, not everyone was enjoying the music.
G.At that time, a young Japanese man went through the crowd quietly.