Louis Armstrong had two famous nicknames (绰号). Some people called him Bagamo. They said his mouth looked like a large bag. Musicians often called him Pops, as a sign of respect for his influence (影响) on the world of music .
Born in 1901 in New Orleans, he grew up poor, but lived among great musicians. Jazz was invented in the city a few years before his birth. Armstrong often said,” Jazz and I grew up together.”
Armstrong showed a great talent (天赋) for music when he was taught to play the cornet (短号) at a boy’s home. In his late teens, Armstrong began to live the life of a musician. He played in parades, clubs, and on the steamboats that traveled on the Mississippi River. At that time, New Orleans was famous for the new music of jazz and was home to many great musicians. Armstrong learned from the older musicians and soon became respected as their equal.
In 1922 he went to Chicago. There, the tale of Louis Armstrong began. From then until the end of his life, Armstrong was celebrated and loved wherever he went. Armstrong had no equal when it came to playing the American popular song.
His cornet playing had a deep humanity (仁爱) and warmth that caused many listeners to say, “Listening to Pops just makes you feel good all over.” He was the father of the jazz style (风格) and also one of the best-known and most admired people in the world. His death, on July 6, 1971, was headline news around the world.
1.Armstrong was called Pops because he _______________.
A.looked like a musician B.traveled to play modern music
C.showed an interest in music D.was a musician of much influence
2.The third paragraph is developed ________________.
A.by time B.by examples C.by space D.by comparison
3.Which statement about Armstrong is true?
A.His tale began in New Orleans.
B.His music was popular with his listeners.
C.He was born before jazz was invented.
D.He learned popular music at a boy’s home.
4.Which would be the best title for the text?
A.The Father of the Jazz Style B.The Making of a Musician
C.The Spread of Popular Music D.The Invention of the Jazz Music
The day finally came, when I had to leave the warm home where I’d grown up. I ran to the back yard, as tears came up from my heart. Suddenly I 36 a hand rest on my shoulder. I looked up to 37 my grandfather. “It isn’t 38 , is it, Billy?” he said softly.
He gently 39 my hand in his, and then we walked, hand in hand, to the front yard, 40 a huge red rose-bush sat alone.
“What do you see here, Billy?” he asked. I looked at the flowers, not knowing 41 to say, and then answered, “I see something soft and 42 , grandpa.”
He pulled me 43 . “It isn't just the roses that are beautiful, Billy. It’s that special place in your heart that makes them so.” “Billy, I 44 these roses when my first son was born. It was my 45 of saying ‘thank you’ to God. I 46 to watch him pick roses for his mother. Then, as a young man of only 20, a terrible war robbed him of his life.” Grandpa slowly stood up. “Never say good-bye, Billy. Never 47 to the sadness and the loneliness. Instead, I want you to remember the joy and the 48 when you first said hello to a friend.”
A year later, my grandpa became very 49 .Then all members of the family
were 50 back, and I returned to the old house. When it came to my 51 , I took his hand as 52 as he had once taken mine.
“Hello, grandpa,” I 53 .His eyes slowly opened and said, “Hello, my friend.” With a brief 54 he died. Suddenly, and truly, I knew what he had 55 about never saying good-bye — about refusing to give in to sadness.
1. A.watched B.fixed C.felt D.heard
2. A.watch B.interview C.see D.discover
3. A.easy B.hard C.difficult D.comfortable
4. A.took B.made C.led D.carried
5. A.when B.where C.which D.while
6. A.whether B.how C.who D.what
7. A.beautiful B.tasty C.funny D. red
8. A.far B.hard C.close D.around
9. A.planted B.bought C.treated D.discovered
10. A.approach B.way C.method D.solution
11. A.preferred B.wanted C.used D.referred
12. A.give up B.give off C.give away D.give in
13. A.happiness B.word C.sight D.memory
14. A.weak B.ill C.old D.serious
15. A.ordered B.called C.delivered D.sent
16. A.pleasure B.duty C.wish D.turn
17. A.happily B.sadly C.gently D.carefully
18. A.laughed B.shouted C.whispered D.added
19. A.sign B.sigh C.wave D.smile
20. A.thought B.meant C.worried D.cared
GMM’s friend: Just be careful. You may break the antique vase.
Guo Meimei: _________? My boyfriend has nothing but money.
A.Why not B.How come C.So what D.What for
As nobody here knows what is wrong with the machine, we must send for an engineer to _________ the problem.
A.handle B.raise C.face D.present
I finally get the job. Never in my life _________ so happy.
A.did I feel B.I felt C.I had felt D.have I felt
The teacher agreed to the suggestion that the students _________ two weeks to prepare for the exam without coming to school.
A.give B.should give C.be given D.would be given