Rock and roll music developed in the United S...

Rock and roll music developed in the United States in the early nineteen-fifties. It was based on the music called rhythm and blues that was performed by African American musicians.

Early rock and roll singers developed their own kinds of music. Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys, and Bob Dylan were the most popular rock and roll musicians in the early 1960’s. All were American. Then, in 1964, a new rock and roll group from England invaded America: the Beatles.

Some people say the Beatles’ music shook America like an earthquake. The Beatles changed rock and roll forever. Their early songs were influenced by American rock and roll musicians, including Chuck Berry. But the Beatles looked different and sounded different from any musical group before them.

The Beatles released their first album in the United States in 1964, when all of the top five records in America were by the Beatles. In 1967, they released an album called “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” It was one of the first “concept” albums. That is, all the songs were linked by a common story or idea.

The popularity of the Beatles led the way for more rock and roll bands from England to become popular in America. The Rolling Stones was the most important of these bands. The Rolling Stones is one of the few groups from the 1960’s that is still performing and recording today. In 1965, the group recorded one of its most famous songs, “Satisfaction”.

The musical instrument most linked to rock and roll is the guitar. Experts say Jimi Hendrix was one of the most influential guitar players in rock and roll during the late 1960’s. His “Purple Haze” was liked by many people.

By the 1970’s, rock and roll music became known as rock music. It expanded into many new forms. For example, there was country rock, hard rock, acid rock, and heavy metal rock. Punk rock, jazz rock, and glitter rock.

In the middle 1970’s, experts say rock music regained some of the energy of early rock and roll. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band became popular with their album “Born to Run”. Springsteen’s music was like the lively rock and roll music of the early nineteen-sixties. Many of his songs were about social issues. He sang about the effects of unemployment and the war in Vietnam.

1.The main topic of this passage is _______.

A．the history of American music

B．the famous rock and roll groups

C．the new forms of rock and roll music

D．the development of rock and roll music

2.Which of the following matches is NOT true?

A．the Beatles — Chuck Berry

B．the Rolling Stones — Satisfaction

C．Jimi Hendrix — Purple Haze

D．Bruce Springsteen — Born to Run

3.Whose songs were mainly about social problems like unemployment and war?

A．Elvis Presley’s.　 B．Bob Dylan’s.

C．Jimi Hendrix’s. D．Springsteen’s.

4.From the passage, we can know that _______.

A．one of the Rolling Stones’ albums was called “concept”

B．rock and roll music had many different forms at the beginning

C．rock and roll music probably came from African American music

D．the Beatles and the Rolling Stones became popular at the same time

九年级英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

It is difficult to say exactly how the music we call “rock” or “rock and roll” began. Its roots (根源) go back to many different countries and many different kinds of music and many musicians.

Rock music developed mainly from the interaction (相互影响）of black African and white European music. The Europeans and the African slaves (奴隶）who came to America during the seventeenth century each had their own different kinds of music. Black Africans used heavy drumbeats, a rough singing voice, and the calling of a melody (旋律）and answer of a chorus. The white Europeans, mostly English and Scots, used a stronger melody, a less heavy beat, and instruments such as guitars, horns, and fiddles. The history of rock and roll is the history of how rock changed from these two traditions.

From the seventeenth to the twentieth century, musicians in the southern United States developed two new forms of music: the blues, usually played by blacks, and country music, played by whites. Black musicians sang the blues with a guitar. This music was similar to work songs: stories of troubles and pain, with lines that were repeated several times. The word “rock and roll” probably came from the black churches in the South, where people sang and danced to the strong rhythms, which they called “rocking and reeling”. At the same time, whites were playing country music, which was mostly traditional dancing music and slow songs that told sad stories. The singers played with string instruments such as fiddles and guitars.

During this time blues and country musicians had some influence on each other, but the influence grew stronger after phonograph records (留声机唱片)became popular in the late nineteenth century. The birth of the electric guitar changed country and blue music in the 1940s. The sound of the electric guitar would become the sound of rock and roll. No one thinks of early rock and roll without thinking of Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock and Roll”. Rock music continues to develop and change, but the heart and soul of rock is the same heart and soul that Elvis expressed.

1.What’s the best title for the passage?

A.Different Kinds of Music

B.The Beginning of Rock and Roll

C.Elvis’s Contribution (贡献）to Music

D.Rock and Roll Is Developing

2.Which of the following doesn’t describe black Africans’ music style?

A.They used heavy drumbeats.

B.They sang in a rough voice.

C.They used instruments such as guitars, horns, and fiddles.

D.They used the calling of a melody and answer of a chorus.

3.Which of the following describes country music?

A.Country music is usually played by blacks.

B.People sang spiritual music and danced to the strong rhythms, which they called “country music”.

C.Country music was traditional dancing music and slow songs that told sad stories.

D.Country music was similar to work songs.

4.Which of the following NOT right according to the passage?

A.In the seventeenth century, many visitors went to America from Europe and Africa.

B.Rock music developed mainly from the interaction of black African and white European music.

C.Musicians in the southern United States developed two new forms of music: the blues and country music from the seventeenth to the twentieth century.

D.Blues and country musicians had some influence on each other during a time in history.

九年级英语阅读单选困难题查看答案及解析

Chris Rock was born in the state of South Carolina in the United States. When he was a child, his family moved, and he grew up in a poor area in Brooklyn, New York.

As a teenager, Rock left high school and started telling jokes in comedy clubs in New York City, Even at age 18, Chris Rock was very funny. He told jokes about his family (his parents were very strict) , and about growing up in Brooklyn in the 1980s. Many of his jokes were also about high school, which Rock says was terrible.

Famous comedians (喜剧演员）went to see Rock’s performances. One comedian (Eddie Murphy) helped him get work on television and in the movies. Chris Rock still acts in movies, but he does not want to be a serious actor. For him, comedy is more important. It makes people laugh, but it can also make people think.

Today,Chris Rock still does live comedy shows around the world. He also created a TV show called “Everybody Hates Chris.” It is about his teenage years growing up and going to school in Brooklyn. In 2006, it was considered as one of the best comedy shows on American television.

1.Where did he start telling jokes? (less than ten words)

2.Why does Chris Rock think comedy is very important? (less than ten words)

3.What kind of actors do you think Chris Rock is? (less than twenty words)

九年级英语其他题中等难度题查看答案及解析

One day a huge rock fell from a mountain.The rock rolled (滚下) down and stopped in the middle of a road in a village, It was like a big ball.So many of the strongest men in the village tried to lift the rock.But no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t move it away.They tried to push it, tried to roll it, and tried to pull it with ropes，but nothing worked.“Well，”they agreed, “there’s nothing we can do about it.We’ll have to build another road.” All the time a young boy about 12 years old was standing by.“Excuse me, sir，”he said，“but I think I can help you move the rock.”“You？” they shouted, “What are you talking about? All of us have just tried, and even together we can’t move it at all.” The men all laughed at the boy.The next morning some people came into the street.One of them shouted，“The rock is gone.It’s gone.” More people ran out into the street to see for themselves.In fact, no one could see the rock anywhere.“This is impossible，”they said，“Where has it gone？” The twelve­year­old boy stood out, smiling.“I moved it last night，”he said，“I dug a deep hole next to the rock and the rock rolled down into the hole by itself.Then I covered it with earth.”

1.Where did the stone stop?

A. In the middle of a road.

B. In the middle of two villages.

C. Among the mountains.

2.—Why did the men in the village decide to build another road?

—Because________.

A. the old road is too narrow

B. the stone stopped people from walking through

C. the stone is not important for them

3.Why did the men all laugh at the boy?

A. Because the boy argued with the men.

B. Because the boy asked them what they were talking about.

C. Because the boy said that he could move the stone.

4.What happened next morning?

A. The boy was gone.

B. The rock was gone.

C. The rock was in the middle of another road.

5.How did the boy move the rock?

A. He tried his best to push it away.

B. He dug a deep hole near the rock and made it roll down into the hole.

C. He dug a deep hole next to the rock and the rock rolled down into the hole by itself.

九年级英语阅读单选中等难度题查看答案及解析

In the United States, parents usually encourage their children to develop their potential (潜能). They pay attention to what their kids can do, not what they can’t. As a result, US boys and girls hope to be actors, athletes and doctors; many even want to become presidents when they grow up.

US parents often encourage their children to take part in all kinds of activities at school. They believe that joining in these activities can make their children mature(成熟). Schoolwork is important, but they think that social skills are important as well.

But things in China are different. Chinese parents often tell their children to study hard and pass exams. They think that, for a student, staying away from schoolbooks means wasting time. This puts a lot of pressure on Chinese students, so leaders in China’s education department have called for less homework at the lower grades. Only healthy kids can become healthy adults.

1.American parents think that ________ .



2.Why do many American children have their dream jobs?



3.Chinese parents think that ________.



4.According to this passage the writer thinks________ .



九年级英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

— ________ do you like?— I like Rock and Roll.

A. What kind of music　　 B. What kind of film　　 C. What color　　 D. What language

九年级英语单选题简单题查看答案及解析

In the United States, it is not usual to telephone someone early in the morning. If you telephone early in the day, while he is shaving or having breakfast, the time of the call shows that the matter is very important and requires immediate(立即的) attention. So it is with the telephone calls made after 11:00 pm. If someone receives a call during sleeping hours, he may think that it’s a matter of life and death. The time chosen for the call communicates its importance.

In social life, time plays a very important part. In the USA guests are likely to feel they are not highly regarded if the invitation to a dinner party reaches them only three or four days before the party date. But it is not true in all countries. In other areas of the world, it may be thought silly to make an appointment(约会) too far ahead because plans which are made for a date more than a week away may be forgotten. The meaning of time is not the same in different cultures that treat time differently; being on time is valued highly in American life, for example. If people are not on time, they may be regarded as impolite or not fully responsible(责任). In the USA no one would think of keeping a business friend for an hour; it would be too impolite. A person who is 5 minutes late is asked to make a shout apology (道歉). If he is less than 5 minutes late, he will say a few words of explanation(解释), though perhaps he will not complete the sentence.

1.A call at midnight would mean_________.

A．the matter is less important

B．the matter is too difficult to handle

C．the matter requires immediate attention

D．it is a matter of life and death

2.According to the passage, time plays a very important part in__________.

A．everyday life                           B．personal life

C．getting along with others                  D．business

3.In the passage, the writer suggests that invitation cards should be sent___________.

A．three or four days before the party date in all cultures

B．three or four days before the party date in some cultures

C．three or four days before the party date in the USA

D．at your chosen time

九年级英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

In the United States, headmasters（校长） and teachers discipline(惩罚)students in several ways. The teacher often writes to or calls the student’s parents. Sometimes students have to stay at school for one hour. If a student behaves(行为)very badly, the headmaster can stop the student having classes. The student can’t come to school for one, two or three days. Mr.Lazares, the headmaster of a middle school in Ohio, did not like to do so. When he didn’t let the students come to school, they were happy. “A three-day holiday!” They thought.

One day, a boy was in Mr.Lazares’s office. The boy was not behaving well in class. Mr.Lazares telephoned the boy’s parents. “If you come to school with your son, I won’t stop him having classes,” he said. The boy’s father came to school and went with his son to every class. Other students looked at the boy and his father. The boy was embarrassed(难为情). After that he behaved better. And of course other students behaved better, too.

Now headmasters all over the USA are trying Mr.Lazares’s idea. They, too, think that students behave better when parents come to school.

1.What does a headmaster usually do to the student if he behaves very badly?

A. Writes to the students’ parents.

B. Lets the student stay at school for an hour.

C. Calls the student’s parents.

D. Stops the student having classes for several days.

2.When a student wasn’t having classes for several days, he was__　　 ___.

A. happy　　　　　　　　 B. angry

C. worried　　　　　　 D. afraid

3.What did Mr.Lazares do when his students were not behaving well in class?

A. Tried to talk to them.

B. Sent them home.

C. Telephoned their parents to come to school and go to classes with them.

D. Had them stay in his office.

4.According to the passage, if a student’s parent goes to every class with him, the child will be 　　　　　　　　　　 .

A. happy　　　　　　　 B. embarrassed

C. patient　　　　　 D. realistic

5.Why did the other students behave better, too?

A. They didn’t like to have classes with the boy’s father.

B. They didn’t want their parents to come to school.

C. They were afraid of teachers.

D. They were afraid of Mr.Lazares.

九年级英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Every year landslides cause 25 to 50 deaths and $2 billion in damage in the United States. And in December, a single event killed more than 2000 people in the Philippines. Sending workers to stabilize mountainsides using steel bars can help a lot, but it introduces new difficulties because of dust and loosen heavy, dangerous debris from the work. “It’s a quite dangerous job,” says Giorgio Pezzuto of D’ Appolonia, working with eight other companies. Now there may be an answer: a three-ton robot called Roboclimber.

“The idea is to operate a machine far away that can do the stabilizing job without a human being near,”says Pezzuto, manager for the project, which is supported by a European organization. Engineers say that the machine will be faster and cheaper than manual labor. The robot, a large radio-controlled four-legged spider, has cost at least $2 million so far. It should be able to climb mountainsides, drill holes and insert steel bars there. Testing should begin in May.

1.The underlined word “event” refers to_____

A. earthquake               B. debris             C. dust        D. landslide

2.The purpose in writing this text is _____

A. to tell people how serious the damage caused by landslides is

B. to tell people that sending workers to stabilize mountainsides is a dangerous job

C. to show people how to use a new robot

D. to introduce a new robot that can be used to stabilize mountainsides

3.What does the robot look like?

A. human being         B. spider            C. steel bar        D. a drill

4.A landslides cause _____________in damage in the United States Every year .

A. 25 to 50 deaths       B. more than 2000 people died

C. $2 billion           D. both A and C

5.The biggest advantage of this product is that____

A. it will be faster and cheaper than manual labor

B. it can climb mountainsides, drill holes and insert steel bars there.

C. it can do the stabilizing job without human beings near

D. it is like a spider

九年级英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

The young violin player Vanessa-Mae was the first musician to use dance and rock music in classical（古典的）music. Vanessa-Mae love pop music, and she was also a very good classical violinist, and she brought these kinds of music together.

She likes lots of different kinds of music, from Beethoven to the Beatles, and she wants to play the music she likes. Not only has she played in classical concerts all over the world, but she has also played in pop concerts with pop stars.

A lot of people don’t like the way she uses modern rhythms（节奏）, noisy drums and guitars in traditional（传统的）music. But Vanessa-Mae has done one important thing: she has brought many new fans to classical music. For the first time, many young people began to listen to classical music.

1.Vanessa-Mae was a young 　　　　 woman.

A. Chinese　　　　　 　　 B. English　　 　　　　　 C. Singaporean　　 　　 D. French

2.The type of music Vanessa-Mae likes is 　　　　 .

A. traditional music　　 B. different kinds of music　 C. classical music　 D. rock and roll

3.　　　　 listen to classical music because they like Vanessa-Mae.

A. Pop stars　　　　 B. Young people　　　 C. Classical musicians　　　　 D. Old people

4.　　　　 was the first instrument（乐器）she learnt to play.

A. The violin　 　　　　 B. The piano　 　　　 C. The drums　 　　　 D. The guitar

九年级英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析