2016年公共英语二级考试阅读理解训练题：Music

　　Music

A

A Band Festival

　　One of the most important events of the year is the student band’s performance at the District Band Festival. When the group performs, three judges make comments on a piece of paper or on a tape recording. They take five things into consideration, such as tone, technique and stage presence. After the prepared performance, the band heads to another room for sight-reading1. Given seven minutes, the band sings through and then performs two new pieces for the first time to display their musical ability. The sight-reading judge then speaks to them about what they did well and how they can improve. The judges at the festival give letter grades to the band and base their decision on their overall musical performance. These grades use the following letters: "I"=excellent, "II"=good, "III"=fair, and "IV" and "V" being not at the standard. When choosing pieces for the band to perform, each member should carry his / her share of responsibility. Practicing after school is also expected. Attendance2 at these events is very important, because any difference from what has been rehearsed3 requires changing the balance of the whole group, and judges can only grade based on what they hear. The festival experience is always educational. It gives students a chance to perform challenging music and receive suggestions on what is going well and what can be better. All parents are heartily encouraged to attend and support their sons and daughters in this event!

　　Notes:
　　1. sight-reading n.事先无准备的演奏
　　2. attendance /E5tendEns/ n.到场,参加
　　3. rehearse v.排练,排演

　　1. Which of the following statements about judges at the festival is mentioned in the passage?

　　A. Judges at the festival choose all the pieces of music for the band.

　　B. Judges judge a band on tone, technique and five other things. C. Judges consider the group members’ stage presence while judging.

　　D. Judges at the festival make unwritten comments on the group performance.

　　2. In the sight-reading of the concert, students ____________. A. choose whether to perform sight-reading or not

　　B. only have a little time to get ready

　　C. perform a new piece for the first time

　　D. know what grade they get by asking the judge

　　3. Based on the rules of the band group, _____________.

　　A. each member of the group has a share of responsibility

　　B. students are expected to practice at home

　　C. students can attend the band performance at any time

　　D. students’ parents must join in the band festival

B

Academy Kicks Off 50th Celebration

　　The Recording Academy today said it will have a year-long celebration of its 50th AnnualGrammyAwards1, which will be shown live on TV from the Los Angeles Staples Center on Feb. 10, 2008. Recording Academy President, Neil Port-now will be joined by Quincy Jones and Joss Stone. Jones, a once Grammy winner, was one of the founding members of the Recording Academy. Stone helped show the official artwork for the 50th Grammy Awards. He has organized many activities for music fans, including the Grammy Museum, and the Grammy Brand fashion line. The Celebration starts on May 8 and will continue through 2008. Recording Academy Chairman Jimmy Jam, Los Angeles Chapter Governor Dave Koz, and other music industry VIPs will join it. Portnow said, "Over the past 50 years, the Grammy Awards has become the world’s most famous music TV broadcast and the highest honor given to music makers. The Grammy Awards continues to give never-before-seen live musical performances from new and well-known artists. At the same time, it continues to try its best to find musical excellence, calling for the wellbeing of music makers and ensuring music remains a deep-rooted part of our culture."

　　As part of its 50th Celebration activities, the Recording Academy has named Jones its official ambassador2. As a member of the Academy for more than 40 years and a member of the Grammy Foundation’s Board of Directors since 1992, Jones will join in many cultural and educational music and art events over the next year and a half as the Academy celebrates its 50-year history with an eye toward the future.

　　Notes:
　　1. Annual Grammy Awards 一年一度的格莱美音乐奖
　　2. ambassador n. 大使本文

　　1. Which of the following announcements is NOT true?

　　A. The 50th Annual Grammy Awards will be celebrated next year.

　　B. Many activities have been planned for a celebration for a whole day.

　　C. The celebration will be on Feb. 10, 2008.

　　D. The celebration will be live on TV.

　　2. As for the celebration activities, music fans may have NO chance to ______.

　　A. pay a visit to the Grammy Museum

　　B. know about music history

　　C. make a phone call to the Grammy Brand fashion line

　　D. have a get-together with their favorite singers

　　3. The Grammy Awards is an important event partly because _______.

　　A. the Grammy Awards has become the world’s most famous music radio broadcast

　　B. musical artists regard it as the highest honor to receive a Grammy Award

　　C. the Grammy Awards begins to push new artists to become well-known

　　D. it centers on ensuring that more music can be presented to fans

　　4. According to the passage, we get to know that Jones _________.

　　A. was one of the founding members of the Recording Academy for 50 years

　　B. has named Joss Stone the official ambassador of the Recording Academy

　　C. was an official ambassador of the Grammy Foundation’s Board of Directors

　　D. will join in many cultural and educational events of music and other arts

　　阅读新题型

　　Many musicians begin studying an instrument at an early age. They may gain valuable experience by playing it in a school party or with friends. Musicians and singers continually make great efforts to improve themselves —exploring different styles of music. Formal training may be received through studying music programs with a skilled teacher in a college or university. Musicians must be knowledgeable about many musical styles but finally find the one that interests them most. Having many interests and skills can help enlarge employment opportunities and musical ability. Young students considering careers in music should have musical talent1, creativity, and a good stage presence. Quality performance requires long-time study and practice, so self-discipline2 is quite important. To keep up a career as a musician, performers must achieve a high level of performence.

　　Moreover, musicians who play in concerts or in nightclubs and those who tour must have physical energy to travel and play long performances. Because musicians must always make their performances look effortless, preparation and practice are important. Musicians must also be prepared to face the anxiety of discontinuous employment. Advancement for musicians usually means becoming better known, finding work more easily, and performing for more money. Successful musicians often depend on agents to find them opportunities to perform, and develop their careers.

　　Notes:

　　1. talent n.天才, 才干

　　2. self-discipline n.自律, 自我约束

　　参考答案：

　　阅读理解A

　　1-3 C B A

　　阅读理解B

　　1-4 B D B D

　　阅读新题型

　　1. gain valuable experience

　　2. music programs

　　3. musical styles

　　4. physical energy

　　5. agents