Question

The Waltz

“This indecent(不文雅的) foreign dance was introduced at the English court on Friday…We trust it will never again be tolerated in any moral English society. ”(The Times, 1816)

The waltz was the first court dance since Shakespeare’s time where the couple were allowed to spin round holding each other very closely. The fact that it was labeled “immoral” or even “obscene(下流的)” no doubt helped to make people think it was rather shocking fun.

The waltz originated in Germany from the energetic folk-dances of the country people. By the mid-18th century the smart town people were trying it and very soon, it had spread throughout the rest of Europe, although parts of Germany and Switzerland banned it completely! In Vienna the waltz became very fast, with the couples racing each other seven or eight times round the ballroom floor, until they were in a state of collapse. So the police decided to forbid the extreme forms of the dance, as it was creating a public disturbance.

However, it was also in Vienna that Lanner and Strauss made their fortunes as bandleaders and composers. Strauss' son, John Strauss established himself as the “waltz king” in Vienna. Chopin complained that classical music was being ignored in favor of the waltz. He also complained that pieces by Mozart and Beethoven were being “waltzified” to please the public taste. But this did not lower its popularity, which still continues even today.

1. The music of waltz was firstly played in _______.

A. England　　　　　　 B. Germany　　　　　　 C. Switzerland　　　　　　 D. Vienna

2. Why did the police decide to forbid the extreme dance of waltz in Vienna?

A. Because the police thought the dancers were holding each other very closely.

B. Because the police thought the dancers were spending too much time in dancing.

C. Because the police thought the dancers of waltz were creating trouble in the public.

D. Because the police thought the dancers of waltz were always in a state of being worn out. 

3. Although the waltz was well popular with most people, yet Chopin complained _______.

A. the classical music by Mozart and Beethoven were being waltzified and looked down upon so as to please the public tate.

B. Strauss Johann junior made himself as the “waltz king”

C. the waltz was spreading too fast in Vienna

D. the waltz was immoral and obscene

4. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A.  In the beginning the waltz was created by some famous composers.

B. Although the waltz was banned in one or two countries, yet it had spread all over the rest of Europe by the mid-18th century.

C. The dance of waltz was usually performed by only one person.

D. As a great composer Chopin took the side of the waltz.

5. What conclusion can we draw from the passage?

A. The waltz is immoral or even obscene.

B. All people accepted the waltz completely in the beginning.

C. The waltz was even thought to be rather shocking fun.

D. At the present time people still think well of, love and enjoy the waltz.

 

Answer 1

答案：B;C;A;B;D
提示：

1. B  The waltz originated in Germany from the energetic folk-dances of the country people.所以是B. 2. C In Vienna the waltz became very fast, with the couples racing each other seven or eight times round the ballroom floor, until they were in a state of collapse. So the police decided to forbid the extreme forms of the dance, as it was creating a public disturbance. 所以选择C. 3. A   Chopin complained that classical music was being ignored in favor of the waltz. He also complained that pieces by Mozart and Beethoven were being “waltzified” to please the public taste. 所以选择A. 4. B  参见文章第二三段，可知B为正确选项。  5. D   draw a conclusion 得出结论。