Question

【题目】 Dolly Parton, an American musician, is used to performing for big crowds. But after her set this year at Glastonbury, Britain’s largest music festival which can date back to 1970, she admitted a butterfly was in her stomach. Since that show, her album Blue Smoke has stayed near the top of the album chart for eight weeks.

Live music is flourishing (繁荣) even as sales of recorded music have decreased greatly. In the past two years, it has grown by 15%. Live music lovers now spend more than l billion a year on tickets and almost half that on food, drink and the like. In the early 1990s, Britain had few festivals. But around 450 will take place this year. The festival season, once limited to July and August, now stretches until early autumn. On the first weekend of September, four festivals battle it out.

One reason was a change of the licensing laws, which made it easier to put on a show outdoors. The recession (经济衰退) helped too: Britons who could no longer afford foreign holidays found a weekend of camping in a muddy field more attractive.

Ageing crowds are another bonus. Older people have more cash to spend on festivals, and their demands have helped make festivals safer and more pleasant. Security at bigger festivals has grown much tighter. Fancy food and drinks have replaced cheap hot dogs and beer.

All this is changing the way the music industry works. Festivals are increasingly seen as a way for artists to attract fans. Newer names find them essential: Clean Bandit, a British band who brought out their first album this year, is performing at around 20 festivals this summer. And music managers are increasingly taking into account how successfully artists will perform at big outdoor festivals before deciding to sign them.

【1】What do we know about Dolly Parton?

A.She is an inexperienced performer.

B.Glastonbury used to be her favorite festival.

C.Glastonbury’s large audience made her nervous.

D.Her album Blue Smoke was an instant hit in the UK.

【2】Which of the following can indicate live music is flourishing in Britain?

A.The licensing laws have been changed.

B.The festival season lasts longer than before.

C.Ticket prices of music festivals have increased by 15%.

D.People are willing to spend more money on recorded music.

【3】What’s older people’s contribution to outdoor festivals?

A.Helping attract huger crowds of fans.

B.Spending more money on food and drink.

C.Offering music festivals financial support.

D.Urging organizers to offer a comfortable experience.

【4】Why are music festivals important to new artists?

A.They may change Britain’s music industry.

B.They can be effectively promoted at the festivals.

C.They can cooperate with some big-name artists.

D.They may make the acquaintance of music managers.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】C

【2】B

【3】D

【4】B

【解析】

本文是说明文。文章介绍是什么助力英国的户外音乐节蓬勃发展的。

【1】细节理解题。根据第一段中Dolly Parton, an American musician, is used to performing for big crowds. But after her set this year at Glastonbury, Britain’s largest music festival which can date back to 1970, she admitted a butterfly was in her stomach.“美国音乐家多莉·帕顿(Dolly Parton)习惯在大群人面前表演。但今年她在英国最大的音乐节格拉斯顿伯里(Glastonbury)的演出结束后，她承认她很紧张。格拉斯顿伯里音乐节可以追溯到1970年。”可知，Dolly Parton虽然常常给众多观众表演，但在 Glastonbury这么大规模的音乐节上表演，她还是感到非常紧张（a butterfly in one’s stomach 意思是“某人心里感到紧张”）。故选C。

【2】推理判断题。根据第二段的 The festival season, once limited to July and August, now stretches until early autumn. “曾经只在7月和8月举行的节日季节现在已经延长到初秋。”可知，户外音乐季的时间变长了，由此判断出这能体现英国音乐节的繁荣。故选B。

【3】细节理解题。根据第四段Ageing crowds are another bonus. Older people have more cash to spend on festivals, and their demands have helped make festivals safer and more pleasant. Security at bigger festivals has grown much tighter. Fancy food and drinks have replaced cheap hot dogs and beer.“老龄化人群是另一个好处。老年人有更多的钱花在节日上，他们的需求帮助使节日更安全、更愉快。大型节日的安保措施变得更加严格。高档食品和饮料已经取代了廉价的热狗和啤酒。”可知，年纪大的人参与音乐节，这让组织者更注重音乐节的舒适体验。故选D。

【4】推理判断题。根据最后一段中Festivals are increasingly seen as a way for artists to attract fans.节日越来越被视为艺术家吸引粉丝的一种方式。所以判断出为什么音乐节对新人很重要是因为在音乐节上他们可以得到有效的宣传。故选B。