Question

　　A symphony orchestra usually presents a perfect model for people who need to work harmoniously together. The conductor raises his stick. All eyes are on him. He begins to conduct and the music flows magically. Yet to reach this point is not always easy. The pitch（音调）to which the instruments are set is sometimes a source of horrible argument. Should A be fixed at 440 cycles per second, which is considered standard, or at 442.5 cycles per second, which is used by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra? The difference may seem to be insignificant, but to trained ear, it may be troublesome.

　　Who sets the pitch of an orchestra? In many orchestras, the oboe（双簧管）sets the pitch of A, and all other instruments follow it. Musical experts believe that the oboe's tone is “purer”, less complex than that of other instruments like the violin. At the New York Symphony Orchestra, however, the A is sounded by the principal clarinetist（单簧管手）. The person who sets the pitch usually enjoys a higher status than others and some envious criticism.

　　A device is now often used to avoid quarrels about the ability of any musician to sound the right pitch as the guide for the orchestra. The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, for example, uses an electronic “black box”, an instrument that sounds a perfect tone of 440 cycles per second. Though the principal oboist is the keeper of the box, her role is purely mechanical. She starts the box, and the box sounds the standard A.

　　“This is terrible,” say some musicians who have been called the Anti-A Team. “A machine is running our lives.” Whether criticized or not, the black box does provide a standard pitch that reduces arguments and disagreements. It is a super solution.

(1)The violin is never used to set the pitch of A because its tone is too _____.

[　　]

A．loud

B．high

C．pure

D．complex

(2)According to this passage, the electronic “black box” is used _____.

[　　]

A．by most major orchestras

B．to set the standard pitch

C．to replace the principal clarinetist

D．to avoid quarrels among musicians

(3)The Anti-A Team refers to musicians who _____.

[　　]

A．are against electronic setting of the pitch

B．are not real lovers of symphony music

C．prefer a pitch of 440 cycles per second

D．are members of the New York Symphony Orchestra

(4)The main idea of the passage could be ____.

[　　]

A．the “black box”, rather than musicians, sets the pitch for an orchestra

B．who is the right person to determine the pitch in an orchestra

C．how to set the standard pitch for an orchestra

D．how to work harmoniously in an orchestra

Answer 1

答案：D;B;A;D
解析：

(1)细节理解题。由文章第二段第三句Musical experts believe that the oboe's tone is “purer”, less complex than that of other instruments like the violin.可得出正确答案。 (2)细节理解题。仔细阅读文章第三段可分析得出该答案。 (3)推理判断题。从文章第四段，特别是：This is terrible...可推断出该答案。 (4)主旨归纳题。从文章的第一段第一句可得出答案。