The French word renaissance means rebirth. It was first used in 1855 by the historian Jules Michelet in his History of France，then adopted by historians of culture，by art historians，and eventually by music historians，all of whom applied it to European culture during the 150 years spanning 1450－1600.The concept of rebirth was appropriate to this period of European history because of the renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture that began in Italy and then spread throughout Europe. Scholars and artists of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries wanted to restore the learning and ideals of the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome. To these scholars this meant a return to human—as opposed to spiritual values. Fulfillment in life—as opposed to concern about an afterlife—became a desirable goal，and expressing the entire range of human emotions and enjoying the pleasures of the senses were no longer frowned(皱眉头) on. Artists and writers now turned to secular(不朽的)as well as religious subject matter and sought to make their works understandable and appealing.
These changes in outlook deeply affected the musical culture of the Renaissance period—how people thought about music as well as the way music was composed，experienced，discussed，and circulated. They could see the architectural monuments，sculptures(雕塑)，plays，and poems that were being rediscovered，but they could not actually hear ancient music—although they could read the writings of classical philosophers，poets，essayists，and music theorists that were becoming available in translation. They learned about the power of ancient music to move the listener and wondered why modern music did not have the same effect. For example，the influential religious leader Bernardino Cirillo expressed disappointment with the learned music of his time. He urged musicians to follow the example of the sculptors，painters，architects，and scholars who had rediscovered ancient art and literature.
The musical Renaissance in Europe was more a general cultural movement and state of mind than a specific set of musical techniques. Furthermore，music changed so rapidly during this century and a half—though at different rates in different countries—that we cannot define a single Renaissance style.
【小题1】What is the passage mainly about?

The French word renaissance means rebirth. It was first used in 1855 by the historian Jules Michelet in his History of France, then adopted by historians of culture, by art historians, and eventually by music historians,  all of whom applied it to European culture during the 150 years spanning 1450~1600. The concept of rebirth was appropriate to this period of European history because of the renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture that began in Italy and then spread throughout Europe. Scholars and artists of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries wanted to restore the learning and ideals of the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome. To these scholars this meant a return to human—as opposed to spiritual-values. Fulfillment in life—as opposed to concern about an afterlife—became a desirable goal, and expressing the entire range of human emotions and enjoying the pleasures of the senses were no longer frowned on.  Artists and writers turned to secular (非宗教的) as well as religious subject matter and sought to make their works understandable and appealing.

These changes in outlook deeply affected the musical culture of the Renaissance period—how people thought about music as well as the way music was composed, experienced, discussed, and circulated. They could see the architectural monuments, sculptures(雕塑), plays, and poems that were being rediscovered, but they could not actually hear ancient music—although they could read the writings of classical philosophers, poets, essayists, and music theorists that were becoming available in translation. They learned about the power of ancient music to move the listener and wondered why modern music did not have the same effect. For example, the influential religious leader Bernardino Cirillo expressed disappointment with the learned music of his time. He urged musicians to follow the example of the sculptors, painters, architects, and scholars who had rediscovered ancient art and literature.

The musical Renaissance in Europe was more a general culture movement and state of mind than a specific set of musical techniques. Furthermore, music changed so rapidly during this century and a half—though at different rates in different countries—that we cannot define a single Renaissance style.

71. What is the passage mainly about?

A. The musical compositions that best illustrate the developments during the European Renaissance.

B. The musical techniques that were in use during the European Renaissance.

C. The European Renaissance as a cultural development that included changes in musical style.

D. The ancient Greek and Roman musical practices used during the European Renaissance.

72. The underlined phrase “frowned on”in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to______ .

A. given up                                               B. forgotten about

C. argued about                                         D. disapproved of

73. It can be inferred from the passage that thinkers of the Renaissance were seeking a rebirth of________ .

A. spirituality in everyday life

B. communication among artists across Europe

C. a cultural emphasis on human values

D. religious themes in art that would accompany the traditional secular(非宗教的)themes

74. What can be inferred about the music of ancient Greece and Rome?

A. Its effect on listeners was described in a number of classical texts.

B. It was played on instruments that are familiar to modern audiences.

C. It expressed more different ideals than classical sculpture, painting and poetry.

D. It had the same effect on Renaissance audiences as it had when originally performed.

75. According to the passage, Renaissance artists and writers had all of the following intentions EXCEPT______ .

A. to use religious themes

B. to portray only the pleasant parts of human experience

C. to produce art that people would find attractive

D. to create works that were easily understood

Reading to oneself is a modern activity which was almost unknown to the learned in the early days of the history, while during the fifteenth century the term “reading” undoubtedly meant reading aloud. Only during the nineteenth century did silent reading become popular.

One should be careful, however, of supposing that silent reading came about simply because reading aloud is distraction（分散注意力）to others. Examination of reasons connected with the historical development of silent reading shows that it became the usual mode of reading for most adult reading tasks mainly because the tasks themselves changed in character.

The last century saw a gradual increase in literacy（读写能力）and thus in the number of readers. As readers increased, so the number of listeners dropped, and thus there was some reduction in the need to read aloud. As reading for the benefit of listeners grew less common, so came the popularity of reading as a private activity in such public places as libraries, trains and offices, where reading aloud would disturb other readers in a way. 

Towards the end of the century there was still heated argument over whether books should be used for information or treated respectfully, and over whether the reading of material such as newspapers was in some way mentally weakening. Indeed this argument remains with us still in education. However, whatever its advantages are, the old shared literacy culture had gone and was replaced by the printed mass media on the one hand and by books and magazines for a specialized readership on the other.

By the end of the century students were being advised to have some new ideas of books and to use skills in reading them which were not proper, if not impossible, for the oral reader. The social, cultural, and technological developments in the century had greatly changed what the term “reading” referred to.

1.Why was reading aloud common before the nineteenth century?

A. Because silent reading had not been discovered.

B. Because there were few places for private reading.

C. Because few people could read for themselves.

D. Because people depended on reading for enjoyment.

2.The development of silent reading during the nineteenth century showed_______.

A. a change in the position of literate people

B. a change in the nature of reading

C. an increase in the number of books

D. an increase in the average age of readers

3.Educationalists are still arguing about__________.

A. the importance of silent reading

B. the amount of information provided by books and newspapers

C. the effects of reading on health

D. the value of different types of reading material

Once upon a time, there were two very good friends who lived together in the shade of a rock. Strange as it may seem, one was a　    and one was a tiger. They had met when they were too　   to know the difference between lions and tigers. So they did not think their　   was at all unusual. Besides, it was a peaceful part of the mountains, possibly　    the influence of a gentle forest monk who lived nearby. He was a hermit, one who　    　far away from other people.　

For some unknown reason, one day the two friends got into a silly　    . The tiger said, “Everyone knows the cold　    when the moon wanes from full to new! ” The lion said, “Where did you hear such nonsense? Everyone knows the　    comes when the moon waxes from　    to full! ”

The argument got stronger and stronger. Neither could　     the other. They could not　     any conclusion to resolve the growing dispute. They　     started calling each other names! Fearing for their friendship, they decided to go to ask the learned forest　     , who would surely know about such things.　

Visiting the　     hermit, the lion and tiger bowed respectfully and put their question to him. The friendly monk thought for a while and then gave his　     . “It can be cold in any phase of the　     , from new to full and back to new again. It is the wind that brings the cold, 　     from west or north or east. Therefore, in a way, you are both right! And neither of you is　     by the other. The most important thing is to live without conflict, to remain　     . Unity is best by all means. ”

The lion and tiger thanked the wise hermit. They were happy to　     　be friends.　

1.A. fox               B. hen                     C. donkey           D. lion

2.A. weak            B. unforgettable            C. young            D. poor

3.A. friendship       B. difference        C. relationship                 D. connection

4.A. in turn          B. due to                   C. according to      D. as to

5.A. lived             B. survived           C. walked           D. moved

6.A. argument       B. decision                  C. activity           D. conference

7.A. happens        B. bears                    C. comes           D. seems

8.A. clean            B. cold                      C. cool             D. good

9.A. wonderful       B. fresh                    C. delicious         D. new

10.A. solve        B. compete                  C. convince         D. remind

11.A. arrive        B. reach                    C. cause            D. paint

12.A. far          B. ever              C. yet                      D. even

13.A. monk        B. teacher                  C. mother                   D. parent

14.A. kind         B. different          C. peaceful                D. rich

15.A. answer       B. speech                  C. comment                 D. remark

16.A. sun          B. weather                  C. moon            D. day

17.A. whether      B. until                     C. if                 D. when

18.A. rewarded     B. won                     C. defeated         D. awarded

19.A. moved       B. united            C. interested              D. amused

20.A. too          B. quite             C. also             D. still

Reading to oneself is a modern activity which was almost unknown to the learned in the early days of the history, while during the fifteenth century the term “reading” undoubtedly meant reading aloud. Only during the nineteenth century did silent reading become popular.

One should be careful, however, of supposing that silent reading came about simply because reading aloud is distraction（分散注意力）to others. Examination of reasons connected with the historical development of silent reading shows that it became the usual mode of reading for most adult reading tasks mainly because the tasks themselves changed in character.

The last century saw a gradual increase in literacy（读写能力）and thus in the number of readers. As readers increased, so the number of listeners dropped, and thus there was some reduction in the need to read aloud. As reading for the benefit of listeners grew less common, so came the popularity of reading as a private activity in such public places as libraries, trains and offices, where reading aloud would disturb other readers in a way.  

Towards the end of the century there was still heated argument over whether books should be used for information or treated respectfully, and over whether the reading of material such as newspapers was in some way mentally weakening. Indeed this argument remains with us still in education. However, whatever its advantages are, the old shared literacy culture had gone and was replaced by the printed mass media on the one hand and by books and magazines for a specialized readership on the other.

By the end of t he century students were being advised to have some new ideas of books and to use skills in reading them which were not proper, if not impossible, for the oral reader. The social, cultural, and technological developments in the century had greatly changed what the term “reading” referred to.

Why was reading aloud common before the nineteenth century?

A. Because silent reading had not been discovered.

B. Because there were few places for private reading.

C. Because few people could read for themselves.

D. Because people depended on reading for enjoyment.

The development of silent reading during the nineteenth century showed_______.

A. a change in the position of literate people

B. a change in the nature of reading

C. an increase in the number of books

D. an increase in the average age of readers

Educationalists are still arguing about__________.

A. the importance of silent reading

B. the amount of information provided by books and newspapers

C. the effects of reading on health

D. the value of different types of reading material

What is the writer of this passage attempting to do?

A. To explain how present day reading habits developed.

B. To change people’s way to read.

C. To show how reading methods have improved.

D. To encourage the growth of reading.