Question

In America, square dancing has been the most popular form of folk dancing since the early days. In early times, when men and women worked in groups to build a barn (谷仓) or harvest crops, they danced when the work was done. The music came from the violin for the most part, but if there was no one to play a musical instrument, clapping was used to produce the rhythm to which people dance. The early settlers danced in a store, in a barn, or in a farm kitchen.

A square is formed by four couples （对）who stand facing the centre of the square. Each couple stand on one side of the square, the boy on the left and the girl on the right.

The caller is an important part of the dance, since he tells the dancers which steps to do. If the dancers do not know the steps, he teaches them. It takes time to learn to be a good caller, and good callers are always in demand（被需要）.

These are the names of some of the steps the dancers do: Form a square; Circle; Honour your partner; Swing your partner; Form a star. There are many more. As the callers tell the dancers what to do next, they move to form the pattern（图形）he calls.

Large or small numbers of people can dance at one time. Sometimes 800 or 1,000 people may be dancing at the same time. Or there may be only one square of eight people.

Special clothes are worn by some when dancing. This makes the dance more colourful to watch. The special clothes are different from place to place. Women often wear full skirts of various colours with a pretty blouse. Men have coloured shirts and western trousers that they wear only when square dancing. In some country areas, everyone wears his best clothes.

Today in some parts of the United States you will find some schools, clubs, or groups square dancing for fun.

1.From the passage we know that square dancing came from_______.

A. the clubs B. the schools

C. big cities D. the countryside

2.How many steps do the dancers usually do while square dancing?

A. At most four. B. At least one thousand.

C. At most eight. D. At least five.

3.For what purpose do the American men and women dance?

A. For money.

B. To lose weight.

C. For fun.

D. To show their beautiful clothes.

4.If 800 people dance at the same time，how many squares can be formed?

A. 200 squares. B.100 squares.

C. 400 squares. D. One big square.

Answer 1

1.D

2.D

3.C

4.B

【解析】

试题分析：文章大意：广场舞（方形舞）不仅很受欢迎，很早以前人们也聚在一起庆祝一座房子建成或收获庄稼。跳跳广场舞至少需要8个人组成4对。他们都面对着方形广场的中心。每一对站在广场的一边，男左女右。有时多达 800 或 1000 人都在同时跳。人们穿上节日盛装来跳舞。

1.In early times, when men and women worked in groups to build a barn (谷仓) or harvest crops, they danced when the work was done.可知广场舞来自于乡村。故D正确。

2.These are the names of some of the steps the dancers do: Form a square; Circle; Honour your partner; Swing your partner; Form a star. There are many more.可知跳广场舞时，跳舞者至少要做5个步骤。故D正确。

3.Today in some parts of the United States you will find some schools, clubs, or groups square dancing for fun.可知现在许多人跳舞只是为了好玩，故C正确。

4.A square is formed by four couples （对）who stand facing the centre of the square.可知一个方形为8人，故800人同时跳为100组方形，故B项正确。

考点：考查社会类短文阅读