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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
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Vanessa-Mae
The young violinist Vanessa-Mae was the first musician to use techno, dance and rock music in traditional classical music. Vanessa-Mae loves pop music, and she is also a very good classical violinist, and she brought the two kinds of music together.
Vanessa-Mae was born in Singapore on October 27, 1978. She moved to London with her family when she was four. A year later, she started to learn the violin. When she was eight, she went to Beijing to study the violin. When she was ten, she played with a very famous group of classical musicians. But Vanessa-Mae doesn’t only play the violin. She learnt the piano before she started to play the violin.
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, noisy drums and guitars in traditional music. But Vanessa-Mae has done one important thing: she has brought many young people to classical music. For the first time, many young people begin to listen to classical music.
1.Vanessa-Mae was born in __________ on October 27, 1978.
2.Vanessa-Mae started to learn the violin at the age of __________.
3.Vanessa-Mae learnt __________ before she started to play the violin.
4.Vanessa-Mae not only played in classical concerts but also played in __________.
5.Many __________ begin to listen to classical music because of Vanessa-Mae.
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Once there was a poor young musician. He played the violin well, but he couldn't make enough money to buy much food to eat.
One evening he was eating a little rice and fish for his only meal—supper. A thin white cat came up beside him and the cat looked very hungry. Feeling sorry for the cat, the musician gave it his rice and fish, while he went to sleep hungry that night.
The next evening, there was a storm. The musician took shelter（躲避）under a large tree next to a big house. Thunder made a loud noise and lightning lit up the sky.
The musician looked toward the house and the warm lights inside. On the doorstep sat the white cat from the night before. It raised a small white paw(爪)as if to beckon（召唤）the musician to come over! Then he ran into the yard. A man opened the door and invited the musician inside.
Minutes later, a large branch fell to the place where he'd been because of the lightning. Inside the house, the musician ate a delicious meal with the man. Then the man asked the musician what was in his case, and the musician took out his violin and began playing. The man clapped with pleasure. "Luck has brought you here tonight!" he said. "I'm thinking of starting a band, and we need a violinist. Would you like to join us?" "I can begin tomorrow!" the musician said.
At last, the musician became a famous violinist who was known throughout the world.
1.Why did the musician go to sleep hungry that night?
A.Because he wanted to keep thin.
B.Because he gave his food to a cat.
C.Because he had no money to buy food.
D.Because he only had one meal that day.
2.What can we know about the owner of the house?
A.He was lucky. B.He was poor. C.He was kind. D.He was famous.
3.What's the main idea of the story?
A.Be kind to the cats. B.Help people in need.
C.Kindness brings luck. D.Work hard to live a better life.
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Most musicians agree that the best violins were first made in Italy. They were made in Cremona, Italy, about 200 years ago. These violins sound better than any others. They even sound better than violins made today. Violin makers and scientists try to make instruments like the old Italian violins. But they aren't the same Musicians still prefer the old ones. No one really knows why these old Italian violins are so special, but many people think they have an answer.
Some people think it is the age of the violins. They say that today's violins will also sound wonderful someday. But there is a problem here. Not all old violins sound wonderful. Only those from Cremona are special. So age cannot be the answer. There must be something different about Cremona or those Italian violin makers.
Other people think the secret to those violins in the wood. The wood of the violin is very important. It must be from certain kinds of trees. It must not be too young or too old. Perhaps the violin makers of Cremona knew something special shout wood for violins.
But the kind of wood may not be so important. It may he more important to cut the wood in a special way. Wood for a violin must be cut very carefully. It has to be the right size and shape. The smallest difference will change the sound of the violin. Musicians sometimes think that this was the secret of the Italians. Maybe they understood more than we do about how to cut the wood.
Size and shape may not be the answer either. Scientists measured these old violins very carefully. They can make new ones that are exactly the same size and shape. But the new violins still do not sound as good as the old one. Some scientists think the secret may be the varnish, which covers the wood of the violin and makes it look shiny. It also helps the sound of the instrument. No one knows what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish. So no one can make the same varnish today.
There may never be other violins like the violins of Cremona. Their secret may be lost forever. Young musicians today hope: this is not true. They need fine violins. But there aren't very many of the old violins left. Also, the old violins are very expensive. Recently, a famous old Italian violin was sold for about US $300, 000!
1.When and where were the best violins made?
_______________________
2.How many possible reasons about the old Italian violins does the writer mention?
_______________________
3.Does anyone know what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish?
_______________________
4.How much was the famous old Italian violin?
_______________________
5.What is the passage mainly about?
_______________________
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On a Friday night, a poor young violinist was playing his violin at the entrance of the subway station. He played such great music that people slowed down to listen and put some money into his hat.
The next day, the violinist came to the entrance again. He put down his hat as usual. Beside the hat was a piece of paper with some words on it. It said, "George Black has put an important thing into my hat by mistake. Welcome to claim(认领)it. Soon the people were all interested in the words and wondered what it could be. After a while, a man rushed into the crowd, took the violinist's shoulders and said, “I knew you would certainly come.” The violinist asked, “Did you lose anything?” “Lottery(彩票).” The violinist took out a lottery ticket with Black's name on it. Black took it and danced happily.
Black was an office worker. He bought the lottery and won a prize of $500,000. But when he gave $50 to the violinist for his wonderful music, the lottery ticket was thrown in, too. The violinist was a college student. That morning, he was going to fly to Vienna for high education. However, when he found the ticket, he put off the flight and went back to the entrance.
Later someone asked the violinist why he didn't take the lottery ticket to pay for his high education. He said, “Although I don't have much money, I live a happy life. If I lose honesty, I won't be happy forever.”
1.When did the violinist come to the entrance of the subway again according to the passage?
A.On Saturday. B.On Sunday. C.On Friday. D.On Thursday.
2.What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A.The music. B.The hat. C.The important thing. D.The violin.
3.What was Black's job?
A.A college teacher. B.An office worker.
C.A university student. D.A music teacher.
4.Why did the violinist put off his flight to Vienna?
A.Because he was ill.
B.Because he wanted to make more money by playing the violin.
C.Because he liked playing the violin there.
D.Because he wanted to find the person who lost the lottery.
5.We can learn from the passage that the violinist was ______.
A.poor but honest B.rich and honest
C.poor and careless D.rich but careless
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On a Friday night, a poor young violinist was playing his violin at the entrance of the subway station. He played such great music that people slowed down to listen and put some money into his hat.
The next day, the violinist came to the entrance again. He put down his hat as usual. Beside the hat was a piece of paper with some words on it. It said, "George Black has put an important thing into my hat by mistake. Welcome to claim(认领)it. Soon the people were all interested in the words and wondered what it could be. After a while, a man rushed into the crowd, took the violinist's shoulders and said, “I knew you would certainly come.” The violinist asked, “Did you lose anything?” “Lottery(彩票).” The violinist took out a lottery ticket with Black's name on it. Black took it and danced happily.
Black was an office worker. He bought the lottery and won a prize of $500,000. But when he gave $50 to the violinist for his wonderful music, the lottery ticket was thrown in, too. The violinist was a college student. That morning, he was going to fly to Vienna for high education. However, when he found the ticket, he put off the flight and went back to the entrance.
Later someone asked the violinist why he didn't take the lottery ticket to pay for his high education. He said, “Although I don't have much money, I live a happy life. If I lose honesty, I won't be happy forever.”
1.When did the violinist come to the entrance of the subway again according to the passage?
A. On Saturday. B. On Sunday. C. On Friday. D. On Thursday.
2.What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A. The music. B. The hat. C. The important thing. D. The violin.
3.What was Black's job?
A. A college teacher. B. An office worker.
C. A university student. D. A music teacher.
4.Why did the violinist put off his flight to Vienna?
A. Because he was ill.
B. Because he wanted to make more money by playing the violin.
C. Because he liked playing the violin there.
D. Because he wanted to find the person who lost the lottery.
5.We can learn from the passage that the violinist was ______.
A. poor but honest B. rich and honest
C. poor and careless D. rich but careless
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On a Friday night, a poor young violinist(小提琴家) was playing his violin at the entrance of the subway station. The music was so great that people slowed down to listen and put some money into his hat.
The next day, the violinist came to the entrance again. He put down his hat as usual. Beside the hat was a piece of paper with some words on it. It said WA George Sang has put an important thing into my hat by mistake. Welcome to claim (索取)it. "Soon people were all attracted by the words and wondered what it could be. After a while a man rushed through the crowd, took the violinist's shoulders and said, "I knew yon would certainly come here. The violinist asked, "Did you lose something? “ Lottery(彩票).” The violinist took out a lottery ticket with Sang' s name on it.Sang took it and danced happily.
Sang was an office worker He bought the lottery and won a prize of $ 500,000. But when he gave $ 50 to the violinist for his wonderful music, the lottery ticket was thrown in, too. The violinist was a college student. That morning, he was going to fly to Vienna for higher education, However,when he found the ticket, he canceled the flight and returned to the entrance.
Later someone asked the violinist why he didn't take the lottery ticket to pay the tuition fee(学费). He said, "Although I don't have much, but I live happily. If I lose honesty, I won't be happy forever.”
1.The young man played the violin for at the entrance.
A. pleasure B. money C. love D. friends
2.George Sang put into the violinist's hat on a Friday night.
A. money B. lottery C. money and lottery D. nothing
3.George Sang was very to see the young violinist the next day
A. worry B. sorry C. sad D. happy
4.The underlined word“ canceled” means .
A. 取消 B. 延误 C. 预定 D. 结束
5.What’ s the best title(标题) for this passage?
A. The meaning of honesty
B. An office worker and a lottery ticket
C. The importance of being happy
D. A violinist and an office worker
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On a Friday night, a poor young violinist was playing his violin at the entrance(入口处) of the subway station. The music was so that people slowed down to listen and put some money into his .
The next morning, the violinist came to the entrance again. He his hat as usual. Beside the hat was a piece of paper with some words on it. It said, “A George Sang has put an thing into my hat by mistake. Welcome to claim(认领) it.” Soon the people were all by the words and wondered what it could be. After a while, a man rushed through the crowd, took the violinist’s shoulders and said, “I knew you would come here.” The violinist asked, “Did you lose ?” “Lottery(彩票).” The violinist took out a lottery ticket with Sang’s name on it. Sang took it and danced happily.
Sang was an office worker. He the lottery and won a prize of $500,000. But when he gave $50 to the violinist for his wonderful music, the lottery ticket was thrown in, too. The violinist was a college student. That morning, he was going to fly to Vienna(维也纳) for high . However, when he found the ticket, he cancelled(取消) the flight and returned to the entrance.
Later someone asked the violinist why he didn’t take the lottery ticket to pay tuition fee(学费). He said, “ I don’t have much money, I live happily. If I lost honesty(诚实)，I won’t be happy forever.”
1.A. loud B. terrible C. great
2.A. bowl B. bag C. hat
3.A. put off B. put down C. put away
4.A. important B. interesting C. annoying
5.A. attracted B. excited C. surprised
6.A. hardly B. certainly C. never
7.A. something B. nothing C. everything
8.A. borrowed B. bought C. sold
9.A. business B. vacation C. education
10.A. Because B. However C. Although
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"Daddy, can I learn to play the violin?" young Sarah asked her father. She was always things and her father was not very pleased.
"You cost me a lot of money, Sarah," he said. " you wanted to leam horse riding, then dancing, then swimming. Now it's the _ . "
"I'll play every day, Daddy, " Sarah said. "I'Il try very hard. "
"All right, " her father said. " I know _ . I'll do. I 'll pay for you to have lessons for six weeks. At the end of six weeks you play something for me. If you play well, you can have lessons. If you play badly, I will stop the lessons. "
"OK. Daddy," Sarah said. "That is _ . "
He soon found a good violin teacher and Sarah began her lessons. The lessons were very expensive, but her father kept his .
The six weeks passed quickly. It was time for Sarah for her father.
She began to play. She played very . She made a terrible noise.
Her father had one of his friends with him, and the friend put his hands _ his ears.
When Sarah finished, her father said, "_ _, Sarah. You can have more lessons. "
Sarah ran happily out of the room. Her father's friend turned to him. "You've spent a lot of money, she still plays very badly, " he said.
"Well, that's true," her father said. "But since she started learning the violin, I able to buy five apartments in this building very cheaply. In 5 six weeks I'II own the whole building! "
1.A. caring for B. preparing for C. sending for D. asking for
2.A.First B. Second C. Next D. Finally
3.A. guitar B. violin C. piano D. game
4.A. which B. that C. what D. how
5.A. must B. can C. may D. might
6.A. many B. much C. more D. fewer
7.A.impossible B. unfair C. funny D. fair
8.A. waming B. promise C. notice D. excuse
9.A.for playing B. to play C. to work D. for working
10.A.badly B. well C. better D. worse
11.A. off B. in C. behind D. over
12.A. Terrible B. Too bad C. Well done D. Sorry
13.A. or B. but C. though D. so
14.A.will be B. was C. am D. have been
15.A.other B. more C. another D. the other
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"Daddy, can I learn to play the violin?" young Sarah asked her father. She was always things and her father was not very pleased.
"You cost me a lot of money, Sarah," he said. " you wanted to leam horse riding, then dancing, then swimming. Now it's the _ . "
"I'll play every day, Daddy, " Sarah said. "I'Il try very hard. "
"All right, " her father said. " I know _ . I'll do. I 'll pay for you to have lessons for six weeks. At the end of six weeks you play something for me. If you play well, you can have lessons. If you play badly, I will stop the lessons. "
"OK. Daddy," Sarah said. "That is _ . "
He soon found a good violin teacher and Sarah began her lessons. The lessons were very expensive, but her father kept his .
The six weeks passed quickly. It was time for Sarah for her father.
She began to play. She played very . She made a terrible noise.
Her father had one of his friends with him, and the friend put his hands _ his ears.
When Sarah finished, her father said, "_ _, Sarah. You can have more lessons. "
Sarah ran happily out of the room. Her father's friend turned to him. "You've spent a lot of money, she still plays very badly, " he said.
"Well, that's true," her father said. "But since she started learning the violin, I able to buy five apartments in this building very cheaply. In 5 six weeks I'II own the whole building! "
1.A. caring for B. preparing for C. sending for D. asking for
2.A.First B. Second C. Next D. Finally
3.A. guitar B. violin C. piano D. game
4.A. which B. that C. what D. how
5.A. must B. can C. may D. might
6.A. many B. much C. more D. fewer
7.A.impossible B. unfair C. funny D. fair
8.A. waming B. promise C. notice D. excuse
9.A.for playing B. to play C. to work D. for working
10.A.badly B. well C. better D. worse
11.A. off B. in C. behind D. over
12.A. Terrible B. Too bad C. Well done D. Sorry
13.A. or B. but C. though D. so
14.A.will be B. was C. am D. have been
15.A.other B. more C. another D. the other