Everybody likes a winner, and there are always people ready to cheer for a good loser.But who ever heard a song for the man who comes in second?
So this is in praise of the almost winner, the nearly champion, the next to the biggest, the second best.This is the song of Mister Two.
You hear unfavorable names for Mister Two.“Also-ran”, they call him, and “runner-up”, names that make you think of a fellow who couldn’t quite make it.
Don’t let that fool you.
Ask the winner of any race how good a man Mister Two is.He will tell you it’s Mister Two who made him run so fast, Mister Two pressing hard at his heels(脚后跟)and threatening always to overtake and pass him.
Ask the salesman who won the contest and what kept him plugging(推广,宣传)after hours, looking for extra order(订单).Ask the directors of the big company why they keep changing their product, seeking the new equipment, the added advantage.What drives them? What keeps them hopping? It’s the salesman with nearly as many orders.It is the company with the product almost as good.It’s Mister Two.
In this country, we’re proud of the quality of our champions.Our big men come very big.Our fast men run very fast.Our wise men are the wisest and our greatest men are the greatest that a country could hope to be blessed with.And why is that? Couldn’t it be because great Mister Two’s growing naturally in a land where the race is always open and everybody can run?
So this is for you, Mister Two.This is your song.This is for all the days you tried for first, and came in second.It’s for the nights when you wonder if you ought to go on trying, since nobody seems to notice…
We notice, Mister Two.We know the score.Winner or not, you're a natural champion.There couldn't be a race without you, Mister Two.
(1)
People call Mister Two “also-ran” or “runner-up” to _______ him.
[ ]
A.
praise
B.
encourage
C.
laugh at
D.
comfort
(2)
It is implied in this story that _______.
[ ]
A.
the runner-up is as important as the winner
B.
every leader needs someone to help him
C.
the second today may be the first tomorrow
D.
we should be satisfied with second place
(3)
The person who wins needs to understand that _______.
[ ]
A.
winning isn’t everything that we should concern about
B.
without strong competition he wouldn’t have won
C.
without strong competition he wouldn’t have worked so hard
D.
Mister Two is nothing but less fortunate than him or her
The China National Opera(CNO)will give a concert to celebrate its 50th birthday.
Different generations of CNO vocalists, like Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei, will present the concert which will feature both songs from famous Chinese operas like “The White-haired Girl” and “The Hundredth Bride”, as well as, arias of such Western opera classics as “Madame Butterfly”, “La Traviata” and “Rigoletto”.
Time/date:7∶30 pm, September 7, 8
Location:Tianqiao Theatre
Tel:6551-4787, 8315-6170
Tickets:60-500 yuan(US $7.2-60.2)
Folk music
A concert will be held to feature some recently composed traditional Chinese music works.
The concert, given by the Folk Orchestra of the China Opera and Ballet Theatre, will include such pieces as “Memory of Childhood ”, “Memorial Ceremony for God ”and “Wine Song”.
Time/date:7∶30pm, September 13
Location:Concert hall at the National Library of China
Tel:6848 –5462, 6841-9220
Tickets:30-200 yuan(US$3.6-24.1)
Moon music
A concert of traditional Chinese music will be given on the eve of the Moon Festival which falls on September 21st this year.
The concert will feature a number of famous pieces centred on the theme of the moon, such as “Moonlight”, “Spring night on a Moonlit River” and “Lofty Mountain and Flowing River.”
A number of established traditional Chinese music performers like Zhou Yaokun and Fan Weiqing, will play solos as well as collaborate with the folk music orchestra.
Time/date:7∶30 pm, September 21st
Location:Grand Theatre of the Cultural Palace of Nationalities
Tel:6606-8888, 6606-9999
(1)
If you want to buy tickets for listening to the music “Memory of Childhood”, you will dial _________.
[ ]
A.
6551-4787
B.
6848-5462
C.
8315-6170
D.
6606-9999
(2)
Which statement is right according to the passage?
[ ]
A.
Li Guangxi, Yao Hong and Ma Mei stand for the same generation of CNO vocalists.
B.
“Rigoletto” is a famous piece on the theme of the moon.
C.
“Lofty Mountain and Flowing River” is a traditional Chinese music.
D.
Zhou Yaokun will play solos and Fan Weiqing will collaborate with the folk music orchestra.
(3)
“Madame Butterfly” is ________.
[ ]
A.
a Chinese opera
B.
a Western opera
C.
a piece of music
D.
a song
(4)
In which column of a newspaper will the article be published?