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Music comes in many forms; most countries have a style of their own. Poland has its folks. Hungary has its czardas. Argentina is famous for the tango. The U.S. is known for jazz, the type of music that has gained worldwide popularity.

Jazz is American contribution to popular music. While classical music follows formal European tradition(传统)jazz is rather a free form. It is full of energy, expressing the moods, interests, and emotions (感情) of the people. It is breaking and exciting with a modern sound. In the 1920s jazz sounded like America. And so it does today.

The origins (起源)of the music are as interesting as the music itself. Jazz was invented by American Negroes, or blacks, as they are called today, who were brought to the Southern states as slaves. They were sold to farm owners and forced to work long hours in the cotton and tobacco fields. This work was hard and life was short. When a Negro died his friends and relatives would gather and carry the body to have a ceremony before they buried him.

There was always a band with them. On the way to the ceremony the band played slow, solemn music suitable for the situation. But on the way home the mood changed. Spirits lifted. Everyone was happy. Death had removed one of their members, but the living were glad to be alive. The band played happy music, this music made everyone want to dance. It was an early form of jazz.

Music has always been important in Negro life. The blacks, who were brought to America from West Africa, had a rich musical tradition. In the fields, they made up work songs. Singing made the hard work go faster. And when they got to Christianity, they made lovely spirituals, which have become an everlasting part of American music.

1From the passage, we can see that jazz     .

A. is a kind of African music

B. started from Africa but is popular in America

C. was started by blacks working in Africa

D. was started by blacks in America

2Jazz is a kind of music     .

A. almost the same as classical music

B. quite different from classical music

C. popular only in America

D. quite different from Africa music.

3Generally speaking, Jazz is mostly a kind of     .

A. American music

B. African music

C. classical music

D. popular music played at funerals

4Usually we may feel      moods when we listen to jazz music.

A. sad and sorry

B. tiring and hard working

C. exciting and happy

D. lonely and sad

5Jazz will always be connected with     .

A. American blacks

B. slavery in the United States

C. modern times

D. quick development of music

 

Wearing a big hat and playing a guitar, a country music singer is using his rising and falling voice to tell the audience about his love, hope and loss. Few people could avoid getting caught up in his feelings.

This is the appeal(魅力)of country music, which speaks to the basic emotions of human life. Throughout the 20th century, it has grown into one of the most original and lasting American musical forms.

Country music's roots are in the songs of the American South, brought over by early immigrants(移民) from England. Those songs expressed the hardships of rural life and deep religious beliefs. In the 1920s, country music came into being as its first recordings were made. Early stars like Jimmy Rodger, known as "The Father of Country Music", and the Carter Family established its strong traditions - good song-writing, singing and playing.

Much of this music was written for and brought to the American public through the cowboy films of the 1930s and 1940s. It was widely popular then and many singers turned up on stage wearing Western fringe and cowboy hats.  

In the 1950s, the country music recording industry was set up in Nashville and moved away from its rough roots. But singers like John Denver, with his hit track "Take Me Home, Country Roads", insisted on the originality and emotions of "real" country music.

Younger artists in the 1990s turned to older country styles and mixed t3vhem with elements of rock 'n' roll. Steve Earle, with his song "The Devil's Right Hand", is typical of this so-called "another country music".

Country music continues to speak to Americans of all ages and backgrounds. And it gives the nation an identity(独特性).

Unlike pop music, country music was American, and only American. During its development, it continued to emphasize that "American" element and sounded completely different from its English ancestors. It may even be said that its sound and story tell the history of the United States.

Which of the following is the typical image(形象) when a country music singer performs?

A. Wearing a big hat and playing a guitar.

B. Using the rising and falling voice.

C. Telling about his love, hope and loss.

D. Singing for those working in the fields.

Which of the following statements about country music is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Country music was created by immigrants from England.

B. Country music comes from South American songs.

C. John Denver was known as "The Father of Country Music"

D. Country music that belongs to pop music was American, and only American.

The underlined expression “getting caught up in” probably means_________.

A. become interested or involved in

 B. becoming fashionable or popular in

 C. become caught in

 D. breaking away from

The author mentioned Jimmy Rodger, John Denver and Steve Earle to    __.

A. tell us the stage singing style of country music

B. show the process of the development of country music

C. attract the audience's attention to country music

D. introduce some famous stars to readers

When did Country music begin to turn into a stage art?

A. In the 1920s   B. In the 1940s    C. in the 1950s    D. in the 1990s

Music comes in many forms; most countries have a style of their own. 1 the turn of the century when jazz was born, America had no prominent 2 ofits own.No one knows exactly when jazz was 3 ,or by whom.But it began to be 4 in the early 1900s.Jazz is America?s contribution to 5 music.In contrast to classical music, which 6 formal European traditions, jazz is spontaneous and free?form.It bubbles with energy, 7 the moods, interests, and emotions of the people.In the 1920s jazz 8 like America, and 9 it does today.The 10 of this music are as interesting as the music 11 .American Negroes, or blacks, as they are called today, were the jazz 12 .They were brought to Southern States 13 slaves.They were sold to plantation owners and forced to work long 14 .When a Negro died his friend and relatives 15 a procession to carry the body to the cemetery.In New Orleans, a band often accompanied the 16 .On the way to the cemetery the band played slow, solemn music suited to the occasion. 17 on the way home the mood changed.Spirits lifted.Death had removed one of their 18 ,but the living were glad to bealive.The band played 19 music, improvising(即兴表演) on both the harmony andthe melody of the tunes 20 at the funeral.This music made everyone want to dance.It was an early form of jazz.

1.A.By B.At C.In D.On

2.A.music B.song C.melody D.style

3.A.discovered B.acted C.invented D.designed

4.A.noticed B.found C.listened D.heard

5.A.classical B.sacred C.popular D.light

6.A.forms B.follows C.approaches D.introduces

7.A.expressing B.explaining C.exposing D.illustrating

8.A.appeared B.felt C.seemed D.sounded

9.A.as B.so C.either D.neither

10.A.origins B.originals C.discoveries D.resources

11.A.concerned B.itself C.available D.oneself

12.A.players B.followers C.fans D.pioneers

13.A.for B.as C.with D.by

14.A.months B.weeks C.hours D.times

15.A.demonstrated B.composed C.hosted D.formed

16.A.demonstration B.procession C.body D.march

17.A.Even B.Therefore C.Furthermore D.But

18.A.number B.members C.body D.relations

19.A.sad B.solemn C.happy D.funeral

20.A.whistled B.sung C.presented D.showed

Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29,1958 in Gary, Indiana. Being the seventh child in his family, Michael was often physically abused (虐待) by his father, beaten up and also orally abused. But Michael also owed his success to his father’s strict discipline.
Michael was always an entertainer. Even when he just started school, he would perform in front of his friends and classmates. He started his professional music career at the age of 11, as a member of The Jackson Five.
He is well-known for increasing the popularity of MTV through his music videos. Before this, music videos were made just to promote the album. But Michael’s videos managed to change that by making them an art and a big business. Some of the music videos that are good examples of this are Beat It, Billie Jean, and thriller。Through these works the world got caught onto the idea of music videos and focused on music video channels.
Michael enthralled his fans and audience with his style of singing, dressing, and his complex dance moves, especially the moonwalks all around the world to show their love for him.
Through his work and various foundations(基金会), Michael raised and donated millions to charity, which is much more than any showman. He supported 39 charities in all. Apart from that, he had a great love for children, especially the poor ones, and he felt that children were the best thing than God.
Michael planned to start a 50-concert tour in July 2009. Sadly  on June 25th, 2009, Michael passed away at home. Besides a great performer, showman and entertainer, he was a good and charitable person. Nobody can be another graeter entertainer like Michael Jackson ever again.
【小题1】According to the passage, Michael Jackson _____.

A.had nine brothers and sisters
B.live a happy life as a child
C.loved performing at school
D.fell in love with music at the age of 11
【小题2】The underlined word “enthralled”in Paragraph 4 probably means ____.
A.encouragedB.puzzledC.developedD.attracted
【小题3】In the author’s opinion, Michael Jackson ‘s greatest contribution lies in _____.
A.Five making MTV popularB.creating music video channel
C.joining the JacksonD.popularizing the moonwalk

In early 2007 I had bought tickets to a Christian concert for myself and two other family members, but later I decided to   36  my 4-year-old son along.
I couldn't find another ticket in the area we were sitting in, so I started   37  online for four tickets so we could all   38 . Imagine my surprise when the four   39  tickets I needed happened to be on the front row! Thinking it was a   40 , I tried again several times and each time the same tickets came up. I knew it had to be God, so after getting   41  the initial(最初的)shock I decided to   42  the front row tickets, which still left me   43  the three original tickets. Not knowing what to   44  with them, I asked around but did not have any   45 . Then my hus­band said two of his customers wanted to go to the same   46  but couldn't afford it.
We went to their house and they said they had a friend they wanted to take with them.   47 it turned out, this couple does a prison ministry and had been   48  this concert for quite a while, but even after offering to pay me I   49  and told them to continue working in the prisons teaching those men and women to become   50   people. This couple lost a   51  several years ago and listening to this music could    52  them in their healing process. The   53   of this particular concert was "Give It Away", and I thank God for the   54   to give this to them.
It turned out to be one of the best nights for all of us, and it was all   55  my 4-year-old boy wanted to hear the music as well.

【小题1】
A.takeB.haveC.fetchD.manage
【小题2】
A.buyingB.seeingC.seekingD.searching
【小题3】
A.calm downB.sit togetherC.settle downD.team together
【小题4】
A.availableB.affordableC.accessible D.usable
【小题5】
A.choiceB.pleasure C.luckD.surprise
【小题6】
A.aroundB.over C.backD.on
【小题7】
A.purchaseB.offerC.chargeD.return
【小题8】
A.toB.ofC.forD.with
【小题9】
A.startB.bearC.doD.deal
【小题10】
A.takersB.ownersC.consumersD.fans
【小题11】
A.placeB.hallC.direction D.concert
【小题12】
A.SoB.AsC.when D.Which
【小题13】
A.paying attention toB.looking forward to
C.taking care of D.making preparations for
【小题14】
A.refusedB.accepted C.respondedD.admitted
【小题15】
A.wealthierB.betterC.greater D.politer
【小题16】
A.ticketB.chance C.sonD.home
【小题17】
A.accompanyB.assureC.helpD.guarantee
【小题18】
A.topicB.themeC.titleD.idea
【小题19】
A.successB.timeC.periodD.opportunity
【小题20】
A.whyB.ifC.thoughD.because

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