-
Taylor Alison Swift is an American country pop singer-songwriter, musician and actress.
Swift was born on December 13, 1989, in Reading, Pennsylvania, and raised in Wyomissing. Pennsylvania. She is the daughter of Andrea Gardner, a housewife who previously worked in finance, and Scott Kingsley Swift, a stockbroker. Her grandmother, Marjorie Finlay, was an opera singer. Swift has a younger brother, Austin. She grew up on a Christmas-tree farm.
When Swift was in fourth grade, she won a national poetry contest with a three-page poem, “Monster in My Closet”. At the age of ten, a computer repairman showed her how to play three chords (和弦) on a guitar, arousing her interest in learning the instrument. Afterwards, Swift wrote her first song, “Lucky You”. When Swift was 12, she devoted an entire summer to writing a 350-page novel, which remains unpublished. She began writing songs regularly and used it as a way to help her with her pain from not fitting in at school. Swift was a victim of bullying (欺凌), and spent her time writing songs to express her emotions. She also started performing at local karaoke contests, festivals, and fair.
Swift began to regularly visit Nashville, Tennessee, and work with local songwriters. When she was 14, her family moved to Nashville. Her first major show was a well-received performance at the Bloomsburg Fair. In Tennessee, Swift attended Hendersonville High School, but was then homeschooled for her junior and senior years. In 2008, she earned her high school diploma.
Swift’s greatest musical influence is Shania Twain. Her other influences include Leann Rimes, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, and Swifts grandmother. Although her grandmother was a professional opera singer, Swifts tastes always leaned more toward country music. In her younger years, she developed a love for Patsy Cline and Dolly Parton. She also credits her love for music in her teens to the influence of the Dixie Chicks.
1.What can we know about Swift from the passage?
A.Her first novel came out in 2001.
B.She showed her music talent in her teens.
C.Her first major show was in Hendersonville High School.
D.Her mother influenced her a lot in her later music career.
2.Which word can best describe Swift’s school life?
A.Colorful. B.Busy.
C.Successful. D.Unhappy.
3.We can infer that Shania Twain in the last paragraph is a famous ________.
A.film star B.novelist
C.opera singer D.country music star
4.The passage is mainly about the ________ of Taylor Alison Swift.
A.family life B.achievements
C.early life D.contributions
高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析
-
American singer Taylor Swift, 21, _____ big at the 2011 Academy of Country Music Awards in the US on April 3.
A．stood
B．gave
C．scored
D．made
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
-
Taylor Swift，23，US
Unlucky in love as she may be，Swift was lucky at the Billboard Viusic Awards on Sunday night. The singer received the night's top honor,Artist of the Year, as well as Top billboard 20 Artist Top Female Artist，Top country Artist and Top Digital songs Artist. Her album Red topped the billboard 200 and country album categories，and her single We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together was named Top
Country Song.
Adele，25，UK
Adele has been appointed a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire this week during Queen Elizabeth II's annual Birthday Honors，the BBC reports．The singer was recognized for her service to music．The award is another highlight in a fruitful year for Adele，who，in addition to a Grammy and a Golden Globe，won a Best Original Song for Skyfall in Oscar 2013.
Robert Downey Jr，48，US
The actor, best known for playing the superhero Iron Man, left an 18-month-old fan in floods of tears because he wasn't wearing his character's red and gold suit in public. The heartbreaking meeting happened last Thursday while the actor was out for a walk in the Massachusetts towns of Sunderland and Shelburne Falls. A photo of the crying kid and Downey looking both concerned and awkward quickly made its way into the international news.
Jennifer Aniston，44，US
In the 10 months since her August 2012 engagement（订婚）to Justin Theroux，all eyes have been on Aniston，with fans wondering just when she will become Mrs Theroux. But multiple sources in contact with Aniston and her inner circle say that plans for the much expected wedding appear to be left for the present time. The couple decided to delay the big day because they're both busy with work.
1.On which page of a newspaper can you find the above material？
A. On the front page. B. On the entertainment page.
C. On the sports page. D. On the education page.
2.2013 has been a fruitful year for Adele for she has won all the following awards EXCEPT_______
A. the Golden Globe
B. the Grammy
C. Artist of the Year in Billboard
D. Best Original Song in Oscar
3.The anecdote about Robert Downey Jr happened_______．
A. on a casual occasion B. at a fan meeting
C. at a movie promotion D. at a press conference
4.Which of the following is true according to the text？
A. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together was written for Taylor Swift's country.
B. Adele sang on the BBC to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's birthday.
C. Robert Downey did not know what to do when the kid started crying.
D. Jennifer Aniston is working on her wedding despite her busy schedule.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
-
Taylor Swift has been named Billboard’s Woman of the Year 2014, making her the first artist to receive the award twice.
The award goes to the female artist who “has shaped and inspired the music industry with her success, leadership and innovation” over the last year. Previous winners include Pink, Beyonce and Katy Perry.
Swift will receive the prize at the Billboard Women in Music Award Ceremony on 12 December in New York.
“As one of the most influential artists of her generation, Taylor Swift has seen incredible success on the Billboard charts,” said Janice Min, co-president and chief creative officer of Guggenheim Media’s Entertainment Group, which includes Billboard.
“Over the course of her career, she’s charted 60 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 - the most of any female artist since her debut in 2006. We are tremendously excited to be honouring her as the 2014 Billboard Woman of the Year for the second time.”
Taylor Swift is a seven-time Grammy winner and the best-selling digital music artist of all time. Earlier this week it was announced she would be performing on The X Factor results show this weekend.
On Thursday she appeared in the performed in the Radio 1 Live Lounge, where she sang her current hit Shake It Off and covered Vance Joy’s Riptide.
Swift has just featured on the cover of British Vogue and explained what it was like to do high profile interviews.
“I don’t really have anything to hide at this point,” she told Fearne Cotton. “It’s sort of understood that anything I do is going to be discussed and dissected and debated and I’m used to that dynamic now.” She added: “I’m very proud of the way my life is. I’m 24, I’m single, feeling very independent. A lot of fun things have happened in my life.”
1.What can be inferred from the first two paragraphs? _____.
A. Taylor Swift is the first artist to receive the award twice.
B. Taylor Swift is one of the four winners.
C. Taylor Swift has shaped and inspired the music industry with her success, leadership and innovation
D. The award goes to the female artists.
2.The Award Ceremony will be held on _____.
A. on 12 November in New York
B. on 12 December in Washington
C. on 12 November in Washington
D. on 12 December in New York
3.According to Janice Min, _____.
A. Taylor Swift is a seven-time Grammy winner and the best-selling digital music artist of all time
B. Taylor Swift appeared in the performed in the Radio 1 Live Lounge
C. Taylor Swift is worthwhile to be given the award a second time
D. Taylor Swift would be performing on The X Factor results show this weekend.
4.From the last paragraph, we can see Taylor Swift was _____.
A. sad B. unhappy
C. delighted D. indifferent
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
-
When Taylor Swift first came to the attention of the public，she was a 17yearold newcomer who loved singing to her guitar.She seemed far more enthusiastic than skillful.
Four years later，Swift became a multiaward winner.This month，she was crowned “Woman of the Year” by Billboard magazine，the youngest singersongwriter ever to receive the honor.“Aged only 21，Taylor has already made a maior impact on music and has been an unbelievable role model for hopeful artists and young women everywhere，” said Bill Werde，Billboard’s director.
Werde’s_words_do_not_come_from_nowhere. Unlike many pop singers，especially those who do not write their own material，Swift has the power of turning her ideas into lyrics that will set people thinking.“Hidden beneath Taylor Swift’s notagirl，notyetawoman sweetness is a very skillful songwriting technique，” wrote Leah Greenblatt in an American magazine.
Songwriting，as Swift explains，is to cope with issues.“I tend to write about things that really impact me most.” There certainly seems to be something true and honest running through every one of the 14 songs on her album，Speak Now，about “the lessons and confusion and heartbreak and all the different things that go along with being 18,19 and 20.”
“For the audience too young to have experienced real passion or heartbreak，Swift’s songs are like a potential road map，promising things will work out OK，” commented Dorian ynskey in a British newspaper.
Now Swift is getting ready to go further and has so far written about 10 songs for her 2012 album，which is about feelings of growing up and becoming an adult.“They’re sad，if I’m being honest.”“They’re about my heartbreaks and my moving on.But more importantly，they are about achieving contentment.You’re not always going to be perfectly happy as you grow up.”
1.What does the writer mean by saying “Werde’s words do not come from nowhere”？
A．Swift stands out as a singer and songwriter.
B．Only Swift writes her own songs.
C．Swift begins to take interest in singing.
D．Swift decides to deal with problems in her new album.
2.Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
A．Swift has the ability to write songs with deeper meanings.
B．Swift is both enthusiastic and skillful now.
C．Swift became a multiaward winner when she began to sing on the stage.
D．Swift’s album Speak Now has 14 songs.
3.Taylor Swift’s 2012 album mainly records________.
A．dream and reality B．heartbreak and despair
C．pain and growth D．problems and society
4.What is the best title for the passage?
A．Swift comes to people’s attention
B．Swift rises to fame
C．Swift wins many awards
D．Swift experiences real passion
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
-
In the past 12 months, Taylor Swift ____ her CD Fearless become the year’s bestselling album.
A. saw B. was seen C. has been seen D. has seen
高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析
-
一Did you go to Taylor Swift's concert last night?
一I would rather I＿＿．But I was preparing a report for my boss.
A. did B. had
C. would D. might
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
-
The Jonas Brothers are an American pop-rock band from Wyckoff，New Jersey．Born to musical parents．the Jonas Brothers grew up in a home where music was a large part of everyday life．Father Kevin Jonas，Sr．is the co-founder of Christ For The Nations Music，as well as a pastor(牧师)at a local church，in Wyckoff, NJ．Growing up in such a musically accomplished family gave the boys a love for music，as well as a bit of inside knowledge about the workings of the music industry．
19-year-old Kevin Jonas is the oldest of the three boys．At 13，Kevin taught himself to play me guitar, simply by studying a “Teach Yourself Guitar” book that he had found lying around his parents’home in New Jersey．Kevin spent about three days learning all of the major guitar chords(和弦)while he was home from school，due to illness．Even before their band was formed，Kevin had already appeared in several television commercials for Disney, Lego，and Burger King．
Joseph Jonas is 17 years old．While Joe originally wanted to be a comedian，he always had a love for music as well．Joe’s appearance in Baz Luhrmann’s Broadway production of“La Boheme” was his first performance as a singer．Joe said that watching his brother, Kevin，perform on Broadway was what motivated him to want to give musical theatre a try．Since discovering his talent for musical performances，Joe has never turned back．
Nick Jonas is 14 years old, and the youngest of the three Jonas Brothers．Despite his young age, he is sometimes referred to as the motivation behind the band. At 6 Nick was singing while getting his hair cut at a local barber shop, when a lady heard him, and gave him a card, suggesting that he should meet with a professional manager. From then on Nick was performing in front of audiences, big and small. Nick landed roles in Broadway shows like “Annie Get Your Gun”, “Beauty and the Beast”, and “Les Miserables”.
64．Kevin Jonas learned to play the guitar
A．by himself B．from his father
C．at a music school D．under his teacher’s guidance
65．Joseph Jonas decided to try singing on stage because
A．he had longed to do so since his childhood
B．his parents wanted the brothers to sing together
C．he was invited to act in a show at a local theatre
D．Kevin’s performance on Broad way inspired him
66．From the passage，we can infer that________．
A．the barber decided to give Nick Jonas a free hair cut
B．the owner of the shop considered Nick Jonas a VIP
C．Nick Jonas was advised to discuss his future career
D．Nick Jonas’handsome appearance attracted a woman
67．The passage is intended to ．
A．offer readers information about the Jonas Brothers
B．prove strong family ties combine the boys together
C．explain why the three brothers began singing together
D．show how the boys are different from one another
高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
-
To American visitors, Iceland is a very interesting country, partly because it is different in so many ways from he or she is used to seeing at home. There are quite a few things that are not done, or that do not exist on the island---quite a few “No’s”.
There is no pollution, for instance, No dogs are permitted in Reykjavik, the capital. There is no television on Thursdays or during the entire month of July, and only three hours of black-and-white TV the rest of the time. There is no hard liquor(烈酒) on Wednesdays and no beer at any time. There is no handguns; only one jail of thirty-five cells（狱室）in the entire land---an admirable figure, even for a small country of 313,376 people.
There is no army, air force or navy. There is no tipping for anything. There are no large stores open on Saturdays or Sundays. Since Iceland is situated just under the Arctic Circle, there is no darkness in summer and no daylight in winter. But thanks to Culf Stream, the climate is rather mild, with temperatures ranging from 34 degrees to 52 degrees in July.
The rules on television liquor and guns are the result of government decisions. But the absence of pollution is due in great part to the fact that Iceland gets its power from the enormous geyser and the thousands of hot springs that come out of the ground. They provide all the energy needed by the country. In fact, Iceland uses only 3 percent of all its available power.
Iceland has been described as a democratic independent country where more fish are caught and more books published per person than anywhere else in the world. The Icelanders have always felt a particular love for literature. They composed their first books in the ninth and tenth centuries AD. These works were poems and tales about the kings, heroes, and heroines of Iceland and Norway. At first, the stories were memorized and passed from generation to generation. They were finally written down between1140 and 1220. The Icelanders have never stopped writing ever since. “Rather shoeless than bookless,” they proudly say.
1.American visitors enjoy visiting Iceland probably because_______.
A. no dogs are permitted in the capital
B. the police do not carry handguns
C. the climate is rather mild
D. it is very different from America
2.The following statements are true EXCEPT________.
A. there are no soldiers in Iceland
B. the Icelanders don’t drink beer
C. there is no tip of any kind
D. there are no crimes in Iceland
3.There is no pollution in Iceland mainly because_______.
A. Iceland uses only 3 percent of all its available power
B. the Icelanders use hot water from the ground below as their energy
C. it is located just under the Arctic Circle
D. it is a democratic independent country
4. “Rather shoeless than bookless” means_______.
A. they prefer not to have shoe or books
B. they would rather have shoes on than write books
C. they prefer travelling to reading
D. they regard books more important than shoes.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
-
A
To American visitors, Iceland is a very interesting country, partly because it is different in so many ways from he or she is used to seeing at home. There are quite a few things that are not done, or that do not exist on the island---quite a few “No’s”.
There is no pollution, for instance, No dogs are permitted in Reykjavik, the capital. There is no television on Thursdays or during the entire month of July, and only three hours of black-and-white TV the rest of the time. There is no hard liquor(烈酒) on Wednesdays and no beer at any time. There is no handguns; only one jail of thirty-five cells（狱室）in the entire land---an admirable figure, even for a small country of 313,376 people.
There is no army, air force or navy. There is no tipping for anything. There are no large stores open on Saturdays or Sundays. Since Iceland is situated just under the Arctic Circle, there is no darkness in summer and no daylight in winter. But thanks to Culf Stream, the climate is rather mild, with temperatures ranging from 34 degrees to 52 degrees in July.
The rules on television liquor and guns are the result of government decisions. But the absence of pollution is due in great part to the fact that Iceland gets its power from the enormous geyser and the thousands of hot springs that come out of the ground. They provide all the energy needed by the country. In fact, Iceland uses only 3 percent of all its available power.
Iceland has been described as a democratic independent country where more fish are caught and more books published per person than anywhere else in the world. The Icelanders have always felt a particular love for literature. They composed their first books in the ninth and tenth centuries AD. These works were poems and tales about the kings, heroes, and heroines of Iceland and Norway. At first, the stories were memorized and passed from generation to generation. They were finally written down between1140 and 1220. The Icelanders have never stopped writing ever since. “Rather shoeless than bookless,” they proudly say.
1.American visitors enjoy visiting Iceland probably because_______.
A. no dogs are permitted in the capital
B. the police do not carry handguns
C. the climate is rather mild
D. it is very different from America
2.The following statements are true EXCEPT________.
A. there are no soldiers in Iceland
B. the Icelanders don’t drink beer
C. there is no tip of any kind
D. there are no crimes in Iceland
3.There is no pollution in Iceland mainly because_______.
A. Iceland uses only 3 percent of all its available power
B. the Icelanders use hot water from the ground below as their energy
C. it is located just under the Arctic Circle
D. it is a democratic independent country
4.“Rather shoeless than bookless” means_______.
A. they prefer not to have shoe or books
B. they would rather have shoes on than write books
C. they prefer travelling to reading
D. they regard books more important than shoes.
高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析