JAMES Brown, the legendary US singer known as the “Godfather of Soul”, died Christmas morning, 2006. he was 73.
Brown was one of the major musical influences of the last
50 years. He provided the basis for much of black music and
most of pop music with his early hits like. “Please, Please,
Please”. He essentially created funk(“疯客”音乐)with
mid-1960s songs such as "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag".
It won him a Grammy Award as best rhythm-and-blues song,
and it was only the beginning of Mr. Brown's rhythmic
breakthroughs. His rapid-footed dancing inspired Michael Jackson and Prince. Rap stars of recent years, such as Fat Boys and Public Enemy, have all borrowed his lyrics and rhythms.
Brown's songs in the late 1960s and early 1970s, such as "Hot Pants" and "Make It Funky", mixed the sophistication(复杂) of jazz-style arrangements with raw funk. With these songs, Brown established himself as the godfather not just of soul, but of all subsequent styles of dance music: funk, disco, hip hop.
"He made soul music a world music," said Al Sharpton, who toured with Brown in the 1970s and imitates his hairstyle to this day. "What Brown was to music in terms of soul and hip hop, rap, all of that, is what Bach(巴赫, 德国作曲家) was to classical music. He put everybody on a different beat, a different style of music."
Amid the civil rights movement of the 1960s Mr. Brown used his fame and music for social messages. He released "Don't Be a Dropout" in 1966 and met with Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey to promote a stay-in-school initiative. Two years later "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud" insisted, "We won't quit movin' until we get what we deserve."
【小题1】The passage is mainly about _______.

A.black music in the US
B.James Brown's unique music styles
C.James Brown's contribution to American music
D.great musicians in the US in the last 50 years
【小题2】The author intends to tell us by the last paragraph that ______.
A.James Brown was proud of being a black
B.James Brown was also active in political movements
C.the then Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey was one of Brown's fans
D.no children dropped out of school because of James Brown's social influence
【小题3】 Which of the following indicates that Brown's career began to take off?
A.His rapid-footed dancing.
B.His three years in prison.
C.His tour around the country with Al Sharpton.
D.His mid-1960s songs such as "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag".
【小题4】James Brown has influenced all American music types EXCEPT ______.
A.classical music B.rhythm-and-blues
C.Rap D.hip hop


A group of teenagers: they laugh and talk over each other, dance and make faces — you wouldn’t believe they had just played on the same stage as famous American singers Kid Cudi and Eminem.
These seven kids, all under the age of 20, are members of the band Kids These Days (KTD).
Fresh out of high school, the band already has done things that most teens couldn’t even imagine. They played at festivals including the recent SXSW in Austin and Lollapalooza in their hometown, Chicago, to crowds of loyal fans.
KTD uses a mix of hip-hop, jazz, blues and classic rock to make a sound of their own.
“KTD simply mixes most, if not all of my favourite music styles,” said Kamia Jones, as Chicago high school student.“I like that they aren’t afraid to be different and that their music is real and speaks to the soul.”
The band formed two years ago. Now, as well as local fans, they are becoming popular around the world. Their facebook page is filled with supportive posts from admirers from California to Tokyo.
“It’s really strange to me that people from London, Australia and Russia... They have heard
of us and they like our music because it’s really cool feeling,” says Marcie Stewart, who plays keyboard for the band.
Despite their recent fame, KTD is a group of normal teenagers and they remain very close to one another. While talking to the reporters, they dance and make fun of each other.
When asked what advice they would give to other teen musicians, Greg Landfair, KTD’s drummer, said, “Keep your heart in it. Never lose the music and what you are doing, because that’s what you’re here for. Let the music always be first.”
【小题1】KTD’s music is popular among teenagers mainly because ________.

A.it is about the strange life of teenagers
B.it mixes many music styles teenagers love into their music
C.all the band members are young and handsome
D.the band members dance and make fun of each other
【小题2】What do we know about KTD?
A.They are all of the same age.
B.They are as famous as Kid Cudi and Eminem.
C.There are five members in the band.
D.They have fans around the world.
【小题3】According to Greg, teen musicians should___________.
A.make music close to their lives
B.always think of the needs of the fans
C.love the music they are playing
D.stay close to the group member
【小题4】The author wrote this article to___________.
A.show the kind of music teenagers love
B.encourage young musicians to play music
C.describe a special music style
D.introduce a successful band of teenagers

An experimental solar-powered plane landed safely Thursday after completing its first 24-hour test flight, proving that the aircraft can collect enough energy from the sun during the day to stay aloft(在空中) all night.

         Pilot Andre Borschberg eased the Solar Impulse onto the runway at Payerne airfield about 30 miles southwest of the Swiss capital Bern at exactly 9 a.m. (3 a.m. EDT) Thursday. Helpers rushed to stabilize the pioneering plane as it touched down, ensuring that its massive 207-foot wingspan didn't scrape the ground and topple(倾倒) the craft.

         The record feat(壮举) completes seven years of planning and brings the Swiss-led project one step closer to its goal of circling the globe using only energy from the sun. ‘We achieved more than we wanted. Everybody is extremely happy,’ Borschberg told reporters after landing.

         Previous flights included a brief ‘flea hop’ and a longer airborne test earlier this year, but this week's attempt was described as a ‘milestone’ by the team. The team said it had now demonstrated that the single-seat plane can theoretically stay in the air indefinitely, recharging its depleted batteries using 12,000 solar cells and nothing but the rays of the sun during the day. But while the team said this proves that emissions-free air travel is possible, it doesn't see solar technology replacing conventional jet propulsion(喷气推进) any time soon. Instead, the project's overarching purpose is to test and promote new energy-efficient technologies.

         Project co-founder Bertrand Piccard, himself a record-breaking balloonist, said many people had been skeptical that renewable energy could ever be used to take a man into the air and keep him there. ‘It’s a matter of time that people come to believe and understand about renewable energies,’Piccard said, adding that the flight was proof that new technologies can help break society's dependence on fossil fuels.

         The team will now set its sights on an Atlantic crossing, before attempting a round-the-world flight in 2013, making only five stops along the way. ‘It's absolutely not time to relax,’ said Piccard.

Title: A 1. __________ in solar-powered flight and its background information

A project on solar-powered flight

Main purpose: To test and promote 2. __________

3. __________: To make an Atlantic crossing; To attempt a round-the-world flight with only five stops in 2013.

Long-term goal: To circle the globe using only 4. __________.

5. __________

a brief ‘flea hop’;

an airborne test.

Record-setting test flight

Name of the plane: 6. __________

Name of the pilot: Andre Borschberg

Time: 7.__________

Length of Place: at Payerne airfield, Switzerland.

Achievements:

●proving that the aircraft can collect enough energy from the sun during the day to stay aloft all night, making 8. __________ possible;

●proving that new technologies can help rid society of 9.__________ fossil fuels;

●bringing the project 10. __________ to its long-term goal.

 

信息匹配 (共5小题, 每小题2分, 满分10分)

阅读下列应用文及相关信息,并按照要求匹配信息。请在答题卡上将对应题号的相应选项字母涂黑。

首先请阅读以下用户对宾馆的评价意见:

                                 A

Comment on : Hunter Country Lodge & Restaurant

    My husband and I stayed at this lodge during our honeymoon. Set in the beautiful surroundings of Hunter Valley you have your own very log cabin. The rooms are comparatively expensive, but they are very spacious. The restaurant has delicious food with wine of varieties, ready for you in the evening.

 

My ratings (等级) for this hotel are:   ●●●●●Value ●●●●●Service

I recommend this hotel for: honeymoon, romantic couples

                                  B

Comment on: Aloha Pualani Hotel

    My husband and I stayed at the Aloha Pualani after months’ busy work. The rooms are small but clean. The peaceful laidback feel was exactly what we were looking for. We didn’t hear noise from streets. My husband loved the outdoor barbecue (烧烤). If you are looking for a relaxing, childfree, clean, natural place to stay this is without a doubt, but it’s a long tiring way.

My ratings for this hotel are:  ●●●●○Rooms     ●●●●●Cleanliness

I recommend this hotel for: romantic getaway

I don’t recommend this hotel for: the aged, young children

                                   C

Comment on: Karin’s Holiday Cottage

    Karin’s Holiday Cottage is really worth the price for lower earners. Walking along the beach, we saw many fish and turtles. We had a rental car because it was a little far from the shopping center. But we found the windows needed to be open to allow air in, and the cottage didn’t have air conditioning but with the 3 ceiling fans. Anyway we stayed plenty cool.

My ratings for this hotel are:     ●●●○○Rooms       ●●●○○location

I recommend this hotel for: young, single people.

I don’t recommend this hotel for: People hunting for luxurious (豪华的) hotels.

                                  D

Comment on: Arison Centre Hotel

  We hosted a conference last month at the Arison Centre Hotel - a charming hotel. The modern and large rooms are air-conditioned and fully-equipped with private safe, wireless Internet access and all new equipments. The hotel also has a business centre, conference rooms, car park and a western-style restaurant.

My ratings for this hotel are: ●●●●●surroundings    ●●●●●Service

I recommend this hotel for: conference and holiday

I don’t recommend this hotel for: city getaway from noise

                                    E

Comment on: GeofBob Holiday Inn

  This hotel is great for the value. I was impressed by how attentive the staff were. I left my room without locking the door. The cleaning lady noticed and immediately informed me. Staying in the hotel made my trip a pleasant one. But we wouldn’t come again because of the walk. You can’t just hop down to the beach or the bar - 200 steep steps each way – so exhausted.

My ratings for this hotel are:    ●●●●●Value      ●●●○○location

Likes: Service                 Dislike: traffic

I recommend this hotel for: young travelers

I don’t recommend this hotel for: people with disabilities

                                   F

Comment on: Punta Regina Isle Hotel

   Tastefully located on an island, the hotel is good, with its staff helpful and its price reasonable. Don’t drive a car, for most of the tourist spots were walking distance, or you can go everywhere by boat. If you like sea food, island setting, and wine, this is excellent.

My ratings for this hotel are: ●●●●●location  ●●●●●Service

Like: beautiful surroundings             Dislike: vehicles

I recommend this hotel for: young holiday makers

I don’t recommend this hotel for: self-driving travelers

 

请阅读以下个人信息,并将他们的需求和以上的宾馆匹配:

 When the Blacks are budgeting their yearly vocation, money is the first thing they think about. They are used to simple life without too much modern equipment. The family all like swimming, and sea food as well.

57. Mr. John Wallace is going to have a product presentation to promote (促销)his late microphone. He is searching for a hotel in the city center which is well-equipped, and where people from different parts of the country can join in the event over the NetMeeting.

58. Having had their wedding, Jim and Sussane plan a trip. Imagine how sweet they are when they are sipping their favourite Nyetimber in the sunset. They also treasure the environment, the comfort of the rooms and the service of the hotel.

59. A group of college students are having their holiday. They plan to choose a place where they can have their BBQ food, and where they are free from noise. They don’t care much about room size but at least they should be clean.

60. Ken and Judy are newly-married. They dreamed of the life of islanders who are eating sea food, hunting for fish. They prefer that the hotel rooms are not so expensive and the service is good.

 

When you put down your pens at the end of the college entrance exam, 12 hard years of study will have come to an end. Forget your studies for a while. It’s time to enjoy yourselves!

There are many ways to celebrate this special month of graduation. You can have photos taken with your classmates and teachers, or dine out together and exchange gifts.

High school students in western countries such as the United States and Canada usually have party to mark their graduation. It’s to mark the time when kids turn into young men and women. After the party, teenagers either go to college or find a job. It means they will no longer depend on their parents as before.

As the party, boys usually dress in dinner jackets and bow ties, though many different types of formal clothes are worn. Girls traditionally wear formal dresses, or dress to shock or be noticed, in shiny or brightly colored materials.

Common party activities include dining, dancing, the crowing(加冕)of a ball king and queen, and just talking to friends. In some cases, high school students collect funds for their class party through the four years of their high school.

High schools in or near large cities may rent big rooms at expensive hotels or,to be unusual, on a pleasure boat.But often costs are out by simply using the school gym.Students make a lot of effort to decorate the gym to make the event special.The music played at the party will be the most popular kinds,like rock and hip-hop.

Sometimes teachers and parents also go to the party,but others like to go with friends,to whom they are soon going to say goodbye.

1.The writer’s purpose in writing this passage is to         

A.tell an interesting experience of high school students

B.tell how the western students spend the last days of high school

C.introduce several ways of the western students’ killing time

D.tell how western high school students usually celebrate graduation

2.What does the party mean, for western high school students that are about to graduate?

A.They are adults and will not depend on parents.

B.These teenagers can find a job to support themselves.

C.They have grown up and need friends’ help.

D.They have finished high school and will go to college.

3.What does the underlined word“mark”in Paragraph 3 mean?

A.Remember

B.Show

C.Sign

D.Celebrate.

4.From the fourth paragraph,we can infer that        .

A.the party is very interesting

B.graduates pay much attention to the party

C.boys wear as usual to attend the party

D.girls like to make themselves beautiful at all hours

5.All the following statements are true EXCEPT that     .

A.generally speaking,students will receive 12 years’ formal education before going to college

B.girls wear formal dresses or dress in shiny or brightly colored materials in order to be noticed

C.using the school gym is cheaper and students don’t need to make a lot of effort

D.sometimes teachers and parents are also invited to the parties

 

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