Question

The Waltz

“This indecent(不文雅的) foreign dance was introduced at the English court on Friday last. . . we trust it will never again be tolerated in any moral English society. ”(The Times 1816. )

The waltz was the first court dance since Shakespeare’s time where the couple were allowed to spin round holding each other very closely. The fact that it was labeled “immoral”or even“obscene(下流的) ”no doubt helped to make people think it was rather shocking fun.

The waltz originated in Germany from the energetic folk-dances of the country people. By the mid-18th century the smart town people were trying it and very soon, it had spread throughout the rest of Europe, although parts of Germany and Switzerland banned it completely! In Vienna the waltz became very fast, with the couples racing each other seven or eight times round the ballroom floor, until they were in a state of collapse. So the police decided to forbid the extreme forms of the dance, as it was creating a public disturbance.

However, it was also in Vienna that Lanner and Strauss made their fortunes as bandleaders and composers. Strauss’ son, John Strauss established himself as the“waltz”. Chopin complained that classical music was being ignored in favor of the waltz. He also complained that pieces by Mozart and Beethoven were being “waltzified”to please the public taste. But this did not lower its popularity, which still continues even today.

1. The music of waltz was firstly played in __________.

A. England　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　    B. Germany

C. Switzerland　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. Vienna

2. Why did the police decide to forbid the extreme dance of waltz in Vienna?

A. Because the police thought the dancers were holding each other very closely.

B. Because the police thought the dancers were spending too much time in dancing.

C. Because the police thought the dancers of waltz were creating trouble in the public.

D. Because the police thought the dancers of waltz were always in a state of being worn out.

3. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

A. In the beginning the waltz was created by some famous composers.

B. Although the waltz was banned in one or two countries, yet it had spread all over the rest of Europe by the mid-18th century.

C. The dance of waltz was usually performed by only one person.

D. As a great composer Chopin took the side of the waltz.

4. What conclusion can we draw from the passage?

A. The waltz is immoral or even obscene.

B. All people accepted the waltz completely in the beginning.

C. The waltz was even thought to be rather shocking fun.

D. At the present time people still think well of love and enjoy the waltz.

 

Answer 1

答案：1B2C3B4D
提示：

1 The waltz originated in Germany from the energetic folk-dances of the country people. 可知本题选B 2 So the police decided to forbid the extreme forms of the dance, as it was creating a public disturbance. 可知本题选C 3 通读全文，B项正确，故本题选B 4 推断题，D项为合理答案，故本题选D