Wearing a big hat and playing a guitar, a country music singer is using his rising and falling voice to tell the audience about his love, hope and loss. Few people could avoid getting caught up in his feelings.

This is the appeal（魅力）of country music, which speaks to the basic emotions of human life. Throughout the 20th century, it has grown into one of the most original and lasting American musical forms.

Country music's roots are in the songs of the American South, brought over by early immigrants(移民) from England. Those songs expressed the hardships of rural life and deep religious beliefs. In the 1920s, country music came into being as its first recordings were made. Early stars like Jimmy Rodger, known as "The Father of Country Music", and the Carter Family established its strong traditions － good song-writing, singing and playing.

Much of this music was written for and brought to the American public through the cowboy films of the 1930s and 1940s. It was widely popular then and many singers turned up on stage wearing Western fringe and cowboy hats.  

In the 1950s, the country music recording industry was set up in Nashville and moved away from its rough roots. But singers like John Denver, with his hit track "Take Me Home, Country Roads", insisted on the originality and emotions of "real" country music.

Younger artists in the 1990s turned to older country styles and mixed t3vhem with elements of rock 'n' roll. Steve Earle, with his song "The Devil's Right Hand", is typical of this so-called "another country music".

Country music continues to speak to Americans of all ages and backgrounds. And it gives the nation an identity（独特性）.

Unlike pop music, country music was American, and only American. During its development, it continued to emphasize that "American" element and sounded completely different from its English ancestors. It may even be said that its sound and story tell the history of the United States.

Which of the following is the typical image(形象) when a country music singer performs?

A. Wearing a big hat and playing a guitar.

B. Using the rising and falling voice.

C. Telling about his love, hope and loss.

D. Singing for those working in the fields.

Which of the following statements about country music is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Country music was created by immigrants from England.

B. Country music comes from South American songs.

C. John Denver was known as "The Father of Country Music"

D. Country music that belongs to pop music was American, and only American.

The underlined expression “getting caught up in” probably means_________.

A. become interested or involved in

 B. becoming fashionable or popular in

 C. become caught in

 D. breaking away from

The author mentioned Jimmy Rodger, John Denver and Steve Earle to    __.

A. tell us the stage singing style of country music

B. show the process of the development of country music

C. attract the audience's attention to country music

D. introduce some famous stars to readers

When did Country music begin to turn into a stage art？

A. In the 1920s   B. In the 1940s    C. in the 1950s    D. in the 1990s

B

Wearing a big hat and playing a guitar, a country music singer is using his rising and falling voice to tell the audience about his love, hope and loss. Few people could avoid getting caught up in his feelings.

This is the appeal（魅力）of country music, which speaks to the basic emotions of human life. Throughout the 20th century, it has grown into one of the most original and lasting American musical forms.

Country music's roots are in the songs of the American South, brought over by early immigrants(移民) from England. Those songs expressed the hardships of rural life and deep religious beliefs. In the 1920s, country music came into being as its first recordings were made. Early stars like Jimmy Rodger, known as "The Father of Country Music", and the Carter Family established its strong traditions － good song-writing, singing and playing.

Much of this music was written for and brought to the American public through the cowboy films of the 1930s and 1940s. It was widely popular then and many singers turned up on stage wearing Western fringe and cowboy hats.

In the 1950s, the country music recording industry was set up in Nashville and moved away from its rough roots. But singers like John Denver, with his hit track "Take Me Home, Country Roads", insisted on the originality and emotions of "real" country music.

Younger artists in the 1990s turned to older country styles and mixed t3vhem with elements of rock 'n' roll. Steve Earle, with his song "The Devil's Right Hand", is typical of this so-called "another country music".

Country music continues to speak to Americans of all ages and backgrounds. And it gives the nation an identity（独特性）.

Unlike pop music, country music was American, and only American. During its development, it continued to emphasize that "American" element and sounded completely different from its English ancestors. It may even be said that its sound and story tell the history of the United States.

1. Which of the following is the typical image(形象) when a country music singer performs?

A. Wearing a big hat and playing a guitar.

B. Using the rising and falling voice.

C. Telling about his love, hope and loss.

D. Singing for those working in the fields.

2. Which of the following statements about country music is TRUE according to the passage?

A. Country music was created by immigrants from England.

B. Country music comes from South American songs.

C. John Denver was known as "The Father of Country Music"

D. Country music that belongs to pop music was American, and only American.

3. The underlined expression “getting caught up in” probably means_________.

A. become interested or involved in

 B. becoming fashionable or popular in

 C. become caught in

 D. breaking away from

4. The author mentioned Jimmy Rodger, John Denver and Steve Earle to    __.

A. tell us the stage singing style of country music

B. show the process of the development of country music

C. attract the audience's attention to country music

D. introduce some famous stars to readers

5.When did Country music begin to turn into a stage art？

A. In the 1920s   B. In the 1940s    C. in the 1950s    D. in the 1990s

　　 And   3   great power the Niagara River has! It moves big rocks about and throws them into the boiling water below.

　　    4   ago an old ship without a single person on board was put in midstream. It sailed down the river   5   a toy boat with great speed. Having reached the fall, the ship dropped into the boiling water, never   6   again.

There were some people who wanted to become famous   7   swimming across the most dangerous part of the Niagara River. One of them was Captain Webb. His having said that he would try to swim across the Niagara  8   crowds of people. On the evening of July 21^st, 1893, Captain Webb came up to the river and   9   a plunge. His having jumped into the water  10 many people with horror. Soon, he appeared in the middle of the river. A loud shout went up from the crowd, but a moment later there was 11 silence. The man had disappeared under the water. Thousands of eyes 12   on the river, but the man was drowned.

　　 In 1902, a certain Miss Taylor decided to go over the falls in a barrel. There were different kinds of pillows inside the barrel to prevent her 13  . Having examined the barrel carefully, Miss Taylor got in. The barrel was closed and then   14   into the water. Having reached the falls, it overturned and was shot down by the terrible   15   of the water. When the barrel was finally caught and opened, Miss Taylor came out alive   16   with a frightened look in her eyes.

Once a crowd of visitors saw a rope    17   over them from one bank of the river to the other. Then they saw a man   18   the rope. The man was an actor, Blondin   19  . He managed to cross Niagara Falls on a tight rope. The people on the bank were surprised at his   20   it so well.

1.　　 A. within　　　　　　　　　　   B. inside　　　　　　　　　　  C. by　　　　　　　　　　　　   D. on

2.　　 A. much　　　　　　　　　　    B. a great number　　　　 C. mass　　　　　　　　　　   D. a mass

3.　　 A. how much　　　　　　　　 B. what 　　　　　　　　　　  C. so　　　　　　　　　　　　   D. how

4.　　 A. Sometimes　　　　　　　　 B. Many times　　　　　　  C. Much time　　　　　　   D. Some time

5.　　 A. as　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. as if　　　　　　　　　　    C. like　　　　　　　　　　　　  D. likely

6.　　 A. to appear　　　　　　　　   B. appearing　　　　　　　　 C. appeared　　　　　　　　  D. appear

7.　　 A. for　　　　　　　　　　　　    B. by　　　　&n

bsp;　　　　　　　　  C . through　　　　　　　　   D. from

8.　　 A. pulled　　　　　　　　　　    B. drew　　　　　　　　　　   C. dragged　　　　　　　　   D. pushed

9.　　 A. gave　　　　　　　　　　　　  B. made　　　　　　　　　　   C. did　　　　　　　　　　　　  D. took

10.    A. filling　　　　　　　　　　    B. full　　　　　　　　　　　　  C. filled　　　　　　　　　　    D. was filled

11.    A. dead　　　　　　　　　　　　  B. dying　　　　　　　　　　   C. died　　　　　　　　　　　　 D. death

12.    A. being stopped　　　　　　 B. were fixing　　　　　　  C. were fixed　　　　　　    D. fixed

13.    A. being hurt　　　　　　　　  B. having hurt　　　　　　  C . hurting　　　　　　　　    D. hurt

14.    A. being thrown　　　　　　 B. throwing　　　　　　　　  C. thrown　　　　　　　　    D. threw

15.    A. power　　　　　　　　　　   B. strength　　　　　　　　   C. force　　　　　　　　　　   D. capacity

16.    A. therefore　　　　　　　　   B. however　　　　　　　　  C. so　　　　　　　　　　　　   D. but

17.    A. being put　　　　　　　　   B. put　　　　　　　　　　　　  C. having put　　　　　　    D. putting

18.    A. step across　　　　　　    B. step out onto　　　　    C. step along　　　　　　    D. step on

19　　 A. under the name of　　  B. with the name of　　  C. by the name　　　　　　 D. to the name of

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bsp;  A. done　　　　　　　　　　　　 B. having done　　　　　　 C. having been done　　  D. being done

Wearing a big hat and playing a guitar, a country music singer is using his rising and falling voice to tell the audience about his love, hope and loss. Few people could avoid getting caught up in his feelings.
This is the appeal（魅力）of country music, which speaks to the basic emotions of human life. Throughout the 20th century, it has grown into one of the most original and lasting American musical forms.
Country music's roots are in the songs of the American South, brought over by early immigrants(移民) from England. Those songs expressed the hardships of rural life and deep religious beliefs. In the 1920s, country music came into being as its first recordings were made. Early stars like Jimmy Rodger, known as "The Father of Country Music", and the Carter Family established its strong traditions - good song-writing, singing and playing.
Much of this music was written for and brought to the American public through the cowboy films of the 1930s and 1940s. It was widely popular then and many singers turned up on stage wearing Western fringe and cowboy hats.  
In the 1950s, the country music recording industry was set up in Nashville and moved away from its rough roots. But singers like John Denver, with his hit track "Take Me Home, Country Roads", insisted on the originality and emotions of "real" country music.
Younger artists in the 1990s turned to older country styles and mixed t3vhem with elements of rock 'n' roll. Steve Earle, with his song "The Devil's Right Hand", is typical of this so-called "another country music".
Country music continues to speak to Americans of all ages and backgrounds. And it gives the nation an identity（独特性）.
Unlike pop music, country music was American, and only American. During its development, it continued to emphasize that "American" element and sounded completely different from its English ancestors. It may even be said that its sound and story tell the history of the United States.

1. 1.

   Which of the following is the typical image(形象) when a country music singer performs?

   1. A.
      Wearing a big hat and playing a guitar.
   2. B.
      Using the rising and falling voice.
   3. C.
      Telling about his love, hope and loss.
   4. D.
      Singing for those working in the fields.
2. 2.

   Which of the following statements about country music is TRUE according to the passage?

   1. A.
      Country music was created by immigrants from England.
   2. B.
      Country music comes from South American songs.
   3. C.
      John Denver was known as "The Father of Country Music"
   4. D.
      Country music that belongs to pop music was American, and only American.
3. 3.

   The underlined expression “getting caught up in” probably means_________.

   1. A.
      become interested or involved in
   2. B.
      becoming fashionable or popularin
   3. C.
      become caught in
   4. D.
      breaking away from
4. 4.

   The author mentioned Jimmy Rodger, John Denver and Steve Earle to    __.

   1. A.
      tell us the stage singing style of country music
   2. B.
      show the process of the development of country music
   3. C.
      attract the audience's attention to country music
   4. D.
      introduce some famous stars to readers
5. 5.

   When did Country music begin to turn into a stage art？

   1. A.
      In the 1920s
   2. B.
      In the 1940s
   3. C.
      in the 1950s
   4. D.
      in the 1990s

Though I have traveled in hundreds of trains, few unusual things have ever happened to me. But one day in a train something did happen. I do not mean that I was hurt: no one was hurt.
I do my work in a hot country far away from England. Every September I go there to do my business, and every July I come back to England to have a rest. So every September I go to Paris and take a train from the great French city to Mendova, and at Mendova I catch my ship.
There is one very fast train from Paris to Mendova, and it suits me well. It goes as far as Endoran, but it stops at Mendova for a few minutes to let travelers get out or in. It is called The Flying Bluebird. It reaches Mendova at seven minutes past nine in the morning, and it is never late.
A ship leaves Mendova at half past eleven, and so you will understand that The Flying Bluebird suits me very well. I always travel by it, and I have nearly two and a half hours at Mendova to go from the station to the ship. That is more than enough time.
Well, one September night, I took my place in The Flying Bluebird as usual. The train leaves Paris at nine o’clock every night, and I was in my place soon after half past eight. There were three or four people there with me, but very soon a lot of others got into the train. When no more people could sit down, they began to stand up near us and also in the corridor（走廊）. In a short time the corridor was full too, and it was impossible for any more travelers to get into the train.
I could see a lot of other people outside the corridor windows, but they could not get in, and the train left Paris without them. The man sitting next to me started to ask all kinds of questions: “Where do you work? How long does it take you to get there? Are you married? How many children do you have? How much money do they pay you every year? How much do you have in the bank? How much do you spend every month?”
He asked questions for about twenty minutes but I did not give him any clear answers, and at last he stopped and began to read the paper.
I usually sleep quite well in the train, but this time I slept only a little. There were too many people, and there were too many things: small bags, large bags, coats, hats, boxes, newspapers and food. As usual, we got angry about the window. Most people wanted it shut, and two of us wanted it open. But that always happens. It was shut all night, as usual.
When I awoke in the early morning I felt hot and dirty, and glad that the journey was reaching its end. At seven minutes past nine The Flying Bluebird stopped. We were at Mendova, and I stood up thankfully. I took my two suitcases, held one in each hand, and tried to move towards the door into the corridor. In order to get out of the train, I had to pass down the corridor to the door at the far end. There was no other way out.
I could not even into the corridor. There was a suitcase on the floor by my feet, and three men were standing in my way. I felt a touch of fear. I had to get out, you see; I had to catch my ship, which left at half past eleven. And the train did not stop again until it reached Endoran, two hundred miles away.
“I must get out!” I cried. Everyone there understood me, but no one could move.
At last I was able to put one foot over the suitcase on the floor, and I nearly reached the door into the corridor. But then, very slowly, the train began to move. It was taking me away!
“Stop!” I cried. “I want to get out!” But no one outside the train could hear me, and the people inside did not care much. The train moved a little faster. What could I do? I was not even in the corridor.
Fear made me think quickly. In front of my eyes, just, above the door, was a notice that told everyone how to stop the train. I had to pull an iron thing near the notice. I did not waste time. I pulled it.
Well, a noise started above our heads. That was to show everyone that there was something wrong. It was not a small sound. Possibly the men in my ship two miles away could hear it. Then the train stopped.
No one likes to stop a train if there is no need. But I had to catch my ship. That was the only thought in my mind: to get out and catch my ship.
【小题1】The purpose of the author writing the first paragraph is to __________.