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Louis Armstrong had two famous nicknames(绰号). Some people called him Bagamo. They said his mouth looked like a large bag. Musicians often called him Pops, as a sign of respect for his influence(影响)on the world of music.
Born in 1901 in New Orleans, be grew up poor, but lived among great musicians. Jazz was invented in the city a few years before his birth. Armstrong often said, “Jazz and I grew up together.”
Armstrong showed a great talent for music when he was taught to play the cornet (短号) at a boy’s home. In his late teens, Armstrong began to live the life of a musician. He played in parades, clubs, and on the steamboats that traveled on the Mississippi River. At that time, New Orleans was famous for the new music of jazz and was home to many great musicians. Armstrong learned from the older musicians and soon became respected as their equal.
In 1922 he went to Chicago. There, the tale of Louis Armstrong begins. From then until the end of his life, Armstrong was celebrated and loved wherever he went. Armstrong had no equal when it came to playing the American popular song.
His cornet playing had a deep humanity (仁爱) and warmth that caused many listeners to say, “Listening to Pops just makes you feel good all over. ”He was the father of the jazz style and also one of the best-known and most-admired people in the world. His death, on July 6, 1971, was headline news around the world.
1.Armstrong was called Pops because he .
A. looked like a musician
B. was a musician of much influence
C. showed an interest in music
D. traveled to play modern music
2.When Armstrong often said, “Jazz and I grew up together.” what did he mean?
A. He meant he had a brother named Jazz.
B. He meant he was very good at Jazz.
C. He meant he couldn’t afford to learn Jazz.
D. He meant he was very lucky to live among great musicians.
3.The third paragraph is developed .
A. by space B. by examples C. by time D. by comparison
4.Which statement about Armstrong is true?
A. His tale begins in New Orleans.
B. He was born before jazz was invented.
C. His music was popular with his listeners.
D. He learned popular music at a boy’s home.
5.Which would be the best title for the text?
A. The Invention of the Jazz Music
B. The Father of the Jazz Style
C. The Making of a Musician
D. The Spread of Popular Music
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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① On Friday, January 14, 2005, my cousin, Kara Rose, came into the world. ② She looked perfectly healthy from the outside, but on the inside, the doctors had failed to discover a serious problem. ③ She often had trouble breathing and then turned blue. ④ The doctors found that Kara had been born without part of her heart. ⑤ They didn’t think she would live long enough to leave the hospital. ⑥ When she was four days old, she had her first operation. ⑦ My family stayed together during this hard time, hoping everything would turn out for the best.
Kara’s strength and determination to live were strong. Eventually, she could go home. We all waited patiently for new technology that could give Kara a new heart. When she was eighteen months old, her parents took her to a famous surgeon who performed a series of operations. There was no guarantee she would make it through the operation, but she succeeded.
Kara grew stronger every day, and it was not long before she was well enough to be around people. She had an amazing character and always wore a sweet smile. When she fell asleep against my body, happy and content, I realized how valuable life really is. As I took her in my arms with her warm breath against my neck, I decided to live every day of my life to the fullest.
This child, who is 15 years younger than I, has gone through more suffering and pain than I ever have. I admire her strength and determination. Kara has taught me that no matter how bad things seem, they can work out in the end. Knowing this small, beautiful child has made me a stronger person, I now believe that difficulty can be beaten.
1.Kara often had trouble breathing because .
A. she didn’t stay long enough in the hospital
B. the doctors failed to discover the problem
C. she was born with an incomplete heart
D. her first operation was not successful
2.When did Kara have the first operation?
A. 15 years old. B. 4 years old.
C. 4 days old. D. 18 months old.
3.Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Kara’s determination helped her get through.
B. Kara eventually recovered at the age of 15.
C. The new technology gave the family the hope to live on.
D. Doctors were confident in the success of her operation.
4.The writer wants to tell us that .
A. younger people often suffer more pain
B. strong wills can help beat difficulties
C. experienced doctors can make miracles
D. medical technology is developing fast
5.Where should the sentence in the box be added in Paragraph 1?
I was also anxiously hoping the doctors would be able to make her life longer.
A. After Sentence ①. B. After Sentence ③.
C. After Sentence ⑤. D. After Sentence ⑦.
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
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How I Turned to Be Optimistic
I began to grow up that winter night when my parents and I were returning from my aunt＇s house, and my mother said that we might soon be leaving for America. We were on the bus then. I was crying, and some people on the bus were turning around to look at me. I remember that I could not bear the thought of never hearing again the radio program for school children to which I listened every morning.I do not remember myself crying for this reason again. In fact, I think I cried very little when I was saying goodbye to my friends and relatives. When we were leaving I thought about all the places I was going to see—the strange and magical places I had known only from books and pictures. The country I was leaving never to come back was hardly in my head then. The four years that followed taught me the importance of optimism, but the idea did not come to me at once. For the first two years in New York I was really lost—having to study in three schools as a result of family moves. I did not quite know what I was or what I should be. Mother remarried, and things became even more complex for me. Some time passed before my stepfather and I got used to each other. I was often sad, and saw no end to “the hard times. ”My responsibilities in the family increased a lot since I knew English better than everyone else at home. I wrote letters, filled out forms, translated at interviews with Immigration officers, took my grandparents to the doctor and translated there, and even discussed telephone bills with company representatives. From my experiences I have learned one important rule: Almost all common troubles eventually go away! Something good is certain to happen in the end when you do not give up, and just wait a little! I believe that my life will turn out all right, even though it will not be that easy.1.How did the author get to know America?
A. From her relatives B. From her motherC. From Books and pictures D. From radio programs2.Upon leaving for America the author felt .
A. confused B. excitedC. worried D. amazed3.For the first two years in New York, the author .
A. often lost her way
B. did not think about her future
C. studied in three different schools
D. got on well with her stepfather
4.What can we learn about the author from Paragraph 4?
A. She worked as a translatorB. She attended a lot of job interviews
C. She paid telephone bills for her familyD. She helped her family with her English5.The author believes that .
A. her future will be free from troublesB. it is difficult to learn to become patientC. there are more good things than bad thingsD. good things will happen if one keeps trying
难度: 中等查看答案及解析
I began to grow up that winter night when my parents and I were returning from my aunt＇s house, and my mother said that we might soon be leaving for America. We were on the bus then. I was crying, and some people on the bus were turning around to look at me. I remember that I could not bear the thought of never hearing again the radio program for school children to which I listened every morning.
