To face the music

Like every language, American English is full of special expressions, phrases that come from the day-to-day life of the people and develop in their own way. Our expression today is “to face the music”.

When someone says, “well, I guess I’ll have to face the music,” it does not mean he’s planning to go to the concert. It is something far less pleasant, like being called in by your boss to explain why you did this and did that, and why you didn’t do this or that. Sour music indeed, but it has to be faced. At sometime or another, every one of us has had to face the music, especially as children. We can all remember father’s angry voice, “I want to talk to you.” and only because we did not obey him. What an unpleasant business it was!

The phrase “to face the music” is familiar to every American, young and old. It is at least 100 years old. And where did this expression come from? The first explanation comes from the American novelist, James Fenimore Looper. He said, in 1851, that the expression was first used by actors while waiting in the wings to go on the stage. When they got their cue to go on, they often said, “Well, it’s time to face the music.” And that was exactly what they did — facing the orchestra which was just below them. And an actor might be frightened or nervous as he moved on to the stage in front of an audience that might be friendly or perhaps hostile, especially if he forgot his lines. But he had to go out. If he did not, there would be no play. So the expression “to face the music” come to mean “having to go through something, no matter how unpleasant the experience might be, because you knew you had no choice.”

Other explanations about the expression go back to the army. When the men faced an inspection by their leader, the soldiers would be worried about how well they looked. Was their equipment clean, shinny enough to pass the inspection? Still the men had to go out and face the music of the band as well as the inspection. What else could they do? 

Another army explanation is more closely related to the idea of facing the results and accepting the responsibility for something that should not have been done. As, for example when a man is forced out of the army because he did something terrible, he is dishonored. The band does not play. Only the drums tap a sad, slow beat. The soldier is forced to leave, facing such music as it is and facing the back of his horse.

1.How many ways does the phrase “to face the music” comes from?

A. 1        B. 2        C. 3       D. 4

2. What’s the meaning of “to face the music?”

A. To face something far less pleasant.   B. To face the stage.

C. To face the back of one’s horse.       D. To face one’s leader.

3.Which of the following is a situation of facing the music?

A. When we are playing basketball.   B. When we are making a speech.

C. When we are having a party.    D. When we are talking with somebody. 

4. The underlined word “hostile” means _______. 

A. unfriendly       B. dislike      C. unkind   D. unnecessary

 

Singing had always been an important part of Gloria Estefan’s life. “ Since I was three years old, I sang. I sang everything,” Gloria said. “Gubans,” she added, “are a musical people.”

Gloria was born in Cuba in 1957. Her family left the country just before Fidel Castro came to power. In Miami, where the family settled, many people did not accept Cuban immigrants. In first grade, she spoke little English, but she worked hard to learn the language. Six months after she entered school, she won an award for reading in English!

When Gloria was ten , her father returned from the Vietnam War. Soon, the family realized he wasn’t well. They soon found out that he was badly ill. Her mother went back to teaching at school to support the family. Gloria cared for her father and her younger sister.

She still made the honor roll, and she still had her music, but Gloria was lonely. However, when the band leader Emilio Estefan came to speak at her high school, Gloria sang for him. He asked her to join his band. It was the beginning of the Miami Sound Machine. Within a few months, the Miami Sound Machine was the top band in Miami. In 1978, Gloria and Emilio married.

At first, the Miami Sound Machine was known only in Miami. Then the band signed with CBS Records. Estefan and his band became stars.

Since then, the Miami Sound Machine has sold millions of records. Estefan has done more than just singing when Hurricane Andrew hit central Florida in 1992. She used only two weeks to organize an all-star concert that raised $ 2 million for the people who suffered in the hurricane. “We needed a party after that disaster,” she said.

Estefan said, “You have to stay true to the music you really love to do. There will always be people who will tell you, ‘that won’t work.’ You’ve got to be firm in spite of difficulties. Stick to it——that’s the main thing.”

1.Estefan’s father was ill ______.  

A．after he returned from Vietnam War

B．before they left their home country

C．when they settled down in Miami

D．as soon as she finished high school

2.According to the passage, probably Estefan did the following except________.

A．organizing an all-star concert for Hurricane victims

B．teaching at school to support the family

C．winning an award for reading in English

D．taking care of her father and sister

3.The underlined word “disaster” in this passage refers to _______.

A．the concert

B．the celebration

C．the hurricane

D．the victims

4.This passage mainly tells about Estefan’s ______.

A．Cuban background

B．happy marriage

C．music style

D．life story

 

My grandfather came from Hungary and was the only one in his family who settled down in the United States. The rest of his family remained in Europe. When World War I broke out, he seemed to have become another man, downhearted. Such obvious change was not born out of concern for his welfare, but out of fear: if his only son, my uncle, had to go to war, it would be cousin fighting against cousin.

One day in 1918, my Uncle Milton received his draft notice. My grandparents were very upset. But my mother, at the age of 10, felt on top of the world about her soldier brother going off to war. Realizing how he was regarded by his little sister and all of her friends, my uncle bought them all service pins, which meant that they had a loved one in the service. All the little girls were delighted.

The moment came when my uncle and the other soldiers, without any training but all in uniforms, boarded the train. The band played and the crowd cheered. Although no one noticed, I’m sure my grandmother had a tear in her eye for the only son. The train slowly pulled out, but not about a thousand yards when it suddenly paused. Everyone stared in wonder as the train slowly returned to the station. There was a dead silence before the doors opened and the men started to step out. Someone shouted, “The war is over!” For a moment, nobody moved, but then the people heard someone bark orders at the soldiers. The men lined up in two lines, walked down the steps, and with the band playing, marched down the street, as returning heroes, to be welcomed home. My mother said it was a great day, but she was just a little disappointed that it didn’t last a tiny bit longer.

 

1.What the grandfather was most worried about was           .

   A. the spread of the world war           B. the safety of his two cousins

   C. a drop in his living standards          D. his relatives killing each other

2. The underlined phrase “draft notice” means “         “

   A. order for army service                B. train ticket for Europe

   C. letter of rejection                D. note of warning

3.What did the “service pins” (in Para.2) stand for in the eyes of the little girls?

   A. Strength.       B. Courage.        C. Victory.         D. Honor.

4.Which of the following words can best describe the ending of the story?

A. Disappointing.   B. Unexpected.      C. Uncertain.       D. Inspiring.

 

A plane crash in Western Russian killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski and the other 96 political and military officials on board on April 10. The accident has led to huge national mourning in Poland. But it may provide an opportunity for reconciliation (和解) between Poland and Russia, countries that have a troubled relationship.

Many from the political elite were lost in the crash. Beside the president, the dead include the army chief of Staff, the head of National Security Bureau, the national bank president, the deputy foreign minister and other members of parliament.

The Polish delegation was heading to Russia to mark the 70 th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre (屠杀) when the accident occurred. In 1940, about 22,000 Polish soldiers, intellectuals, and officials captured after the Soviet Army invaded Poland in 1939, were killed secretly by Soviet police in the forest of Russia’s Katyn.

The Katyn Massacre had been a sensitive topic between the countries. The former Soviet Union always denied responsibility for the massacre. It was not until 1992 that Russian released archived documents about the killing.

Katyn is merely a short chapter in Poland and Russia’s long and troubled history. In the 18 th century, along with Prussia, (then an important part of Germany) and Austria. Russia participated in three carve – ups of Poland. In 1795, after the third carve – up, the country was erased from the map of Europe. It was in 1918 that Poland regained its independence. But in 1939, at the beginning of the World War II, it was invaded by Germany and the Soviet Union under a secret pact. After the war, Poland became a communist country with close ties to the Soviet Union.

In 1989, Poland switched to capitalism and pursued a pro – West position. The most recent tension between the two countries was in 2008. That year, Poland decided to have a US missile shield (导弹防御系统) on its soil, while neighboring Russia threatened to aim missiles at Poland.

But the plane crash has created a chance for reconciliation, with Russia sharing the sadness of Poland. Russia has declared April 12 a day of mourning for the victims. Flags flew at half – mast in Moscow. And earlier on April 7, Russia Prime Minister Vladimir Putin became the first Russian leader to mark the anniversary of the massacre.

“I think it should improve relations between the two countries, as Russians feel our grief,” said Radek Sikorski, Pland’s foreign minister.

66．Put the following events in order of time.

①The Katyn Massacre

②Poland switched to capitalism.

③Russia divided Poland with Austria and Prussia.

④Poland became a communist country.

⑤Poland was invaded by the Soviet Army.

A．③①④⑤② B．③⑤①④②  C．①③⑤④②  D．①⑤②④③

67．After the accident, which of the following did Russia do to share the sadness of Poland?

A．Flags were lowed to half – mast in the capital city of Russia.

B．Russia threatened to aim missiles at Poland.

C．Russia declared the day when the accident happened a day of mourning for the victims.

D．Vladimir Putin marked the anniversary of the massacre.

68．Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?

A．The Katyn Massacre was the very beginning of Poland and Russia’s trouble relationship.

B．In 1939 about 22,000 Polish soldiers, intellectuals, and officials were killed by Soviet police in the forest of Russia’s Katyn.

C．Altogether 96 political and military officials were killed in the accident.

D．The relationship between Poland and Russia has not always been tense since the three carve – ups of Poland in the 18 th century.

69．It can be conclude from the article that        .

A．the relationship between Poland and Russia will be even tenser than before

B．Poland will cancel its plan to mark the anniversary of the Katyn Massacre

C．no Russian leaders have marked the anniversary of the massacre before, though Russia released the truth in 1992.

D．Poland will forgive Russians, for they showed great sympathy after the accident.

70．What would be the best title for the passage?

A．The troubled relationship between Russia and Poland.

B．Poland and Russia united by tragedy.

C．The 70 th anniversary of the Katyn Massacre.

D．A plane crash killing Polish president.

 

My grandfather came from Hungary and was the only one in his family who settled down in the United States. The rest of his family remained in Europe. When World War I broke out , he seemed to have become another man, downhearted. Such obvious change was not born out of his welfare, but out of fear if his only son, my uncle, had to go to war, it would be cousin fighting against cousin.

One day in 1918, my Uncle Milton received his draft notice. My grandparents were very upset. But my mother, at the age of 10, felt on top of the world about her soldier brother going off to war. Realizing how he was regarded by his little sister and all of her friends, my uncle bought them all service pins, which meant that they had a loved one in the service. All the little girls were delighted.

The moment came when my uncle and the other soldiers, without any training but all in uniforms, boarded the train. The band played and the crowd cheered. Although no one noticed, I’m sure my grandmother had a tear in her eye for the only son. The train slowly pulled out, but not about a thousand yards when it suddenly paused. Everyone stared in wonder as the train slowly returned to the station. There was a dead silence before the doors opened and the men started to step out. Someone shouted, “The war is over.” For a moment, nobody moved, but then the people heard someone bark orders at the soldiers. The men lined up in two lines, walked down the steps, and with the band playing, marched down the street, as returning heroes, to be welcomed home. My mother said it was a great day, but she was just a little disappointed that it didn’t last a tiny bit longer.

What the grandfather was most worried about was           .

  A. the spread of the world war      B. the safety of his living two cousins

  C. a drop in his living standards     D. his relatives killing each other

The underlined phrase “draft notice” means “        ”.

  A. order for army service          B. train ticket for Europe

  C. letter of rejection              D. note of warring

What did the “service pins”(in Para.2)stand for in the eyes of the little girls?

 A. Strength.       B. Courage.      C. Victory.        D. Honor.

Which of the following words can best describe the ending of the story?

A. Disappointing.   B. Unexpected.    C. Uncertain.     D. Inspiring.