Question

Today we will explain a very old saying that has had a big influence on rock­and­roll music. That saying is “A rolling stone gathers no moss”．It has several meanings. One meaning is that a person who never settles down in one place will not be successful. Another is that someone who is always moving, with no roots in one place, avoids responsibilities.

This proverb was said to be first used in the 1500s. But in the 1960s, the expression “rolling stone” became famous in the world of rock­and­roll music. It became the name of a song, a rock group and a magazine.

Experts say it all started with a song by the American singer and guitarist Muddy Waters. He was one of the country's top blues musicians until his death in 1983. His music influenced singers like Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan. In 1950, Muddy Waters recorded a song called “Rolling Stone”．

A British rock group is said to have taken its name from Muddy Waters' song. The Rolling Stones performed for the first time in 1962.The group's members called themselves “the world's greatest rock­and­roll band”．

In 1965, Bob Dylan released his song “Like a Rolling Stone”．It is one of his best known and most influential works.

It is an angry song about a woman who was once rich and successful. But now she is on her own，“with no direction home, like a complete unknown, like a rolling stone”．

In 1967, a young man named Jann Wenner started a magazine and he named it “Rolling Stone”．The magazine reported on rock music and the popular culture that the music created. By 1971，“Rolling Stone” had become the leading rock music and counterculture publication. It is still popular today.

20．Which person can be described as a rolling stone according to the proverb?

A．A person who always changes his jobs.

B．A person who has a successful career.

C．A person who has no family.

D．A person who is out of work.

21．All of them are musicians except ________．

A．Elvis Presley  B．Bob Dylan

C．Muddy Waters  D．Jann Wenner

22．Who first used “rolling stone” as a name for music?

A．Jann Wenner.  B．Bob Dylan.

C．Elvis Presley.  D．Muddy Waters.

Answer 1

本文讲述的是谚语A rolling stone gathers no moss.“滚石不生苔，改行不攒财”对滚石音乐的影响以及《滚石》杂志的诞生。

20．A　 推理判断题。从第一段的最后两句话可知这句谚语有两种含义，一种是那些不安心待在某个地方的人不会成功，另一种是那些扎不下来根儿的人不负责任。A项指的是经常换工作的人，符合题意。

21．D　细节理解题。根据第三段可知Elvis Presley，Bob Dylan和Muddy Waters都是音乐家；根据最后一段可知Jann Wenner是开办杂志《滚石》的人。故选D。

22．D　细节理解题。根据第三段的第一句“Experts say it all started with a song by the American singer and guitarist Muddy Waters.”可知，rolling stone作为音乐的名字最早是被Muddy Waters使用的。