Louis Armstrong had two famous nicknames.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 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 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 begins.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 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.was a musician of much influence
C.showed an interest in music
D.traveled to play modern music
2.Which statement about Armstrong is true?
A.His tale begins in New Orleans.
B.He was born before jazz was invented.
C.His music was popular with his listeners.
D.He learned popular music at a boy's home.
3.Which would be the best title for the text?
A.The Invention of the Jazz Music
B.The Father of the Jazz Style
C.The Making of a Musician
D.The Spread of Popular Music
完形填空(共20小题;每小题2分,满分40分)
One day a few years ago we had a guest of the uninvited variety. In fact, it was a bird, 1 a sparrow.
“What’s that?” I asked when I first heard the gentle thumping(重击声). “It sounds like Joe is outside playing basketball,” my wife, Anita, said. She 2 and listened more devotedly. “It’s coming from the 3 .” she said. “Maybe it’s one of the little kids.”
We rushed out the door. Jonathan, our youngest, was 4 to make trouble. “If he’s making holes in the wall again…” I said as I searched there. No children 5 . But there was that 6 again, coming from right up there.
And that’s when I 7 the sparrow. It was flying 8 just inches below the ceiling. It was 9 trying to get out, but couldn’t see that the way out wasn’t up, but down 10 the open door. So the bird continued 11 its wings and hitting its head against the 12 .
“Poor thing,” Anita said. “It must be 13 .”
“Well, maybe it’s because of us,” I said as I moved toward it. I tried to show the bird how to glide(滑翔) down to get outside, but that only seemed to 14 it more. “Why don’t we just 15 for a few minutes?” Anita suggested. “I’m sure he’ll 16 eventually.” So we went back into the house, where we continued to hear the ongoing 17 .Then suddenly, it was silent. We looked into the garage, and our uninvited guest was gone.
“See?” Anita said. “I told you he’d succeed.”
“Yeah,” I said. “But how many knocks on the head did it 18 him?”
I’ve thought about that little sparrow through the years. Just like that sparrow, we often meet situations we don’t know how to 19 . Born to go upward, we don’t even consider the possibility that something good might happen if we stop flapping(拍打)around and just glide 20 a little bit.
1. A.for example B.rather than C.or rather D.as well
2. A.hurried B.paused C.ignored D.confirmed
3. A.basement B.kitchen C.garage D.hall
4. A.easy B.happy C.sorry D.angry
5. A.in all B.at all C.above all D.after all
6. A.guest B.voice C.noise D.sound
7. A.watched B.found C.realized D.caught
8. A.carefully B.gently C.patiently D.anxiously
9. A.eventually B.unwillingly C.obviously D.thoroughly
10. A.through B.over C.below D.beyond
11. A.shaking B.breaking C.striking D.injuring
12. A.wall B.floor C.door D.ceiling
13. A.clumsy B.painful C.amazed D.terrified
14. A.frighten B.comfort C.confuse D.calm
15. A.leave B.scream C.relax D.escape
16. A.put it aside B.leave it alone C.give it up D.figure it out
17. A.accident B.achievement C.struggle D.trouble
18. A.cost B.offer C.earn D.owe
19. A.classify B.handle C.debate D.conclude
20. A.up B.back C.forth D.down
I have got _______ good news for you.You are to change _______ trains in Changsha and take _______ fast one.
A./; /; a B.a; /; a C.a; the; the D./; the; a
As hiring _______ more global, both for employers and candidates, video interviewing is a way to speed up the interview process.
A.became B.has become
C.will become D.had become
—What should I wear to attend his wedding party?
—Dress ____ you like.
A.what B.however C.whatever D.how
Losing weight may not be just about what you eat when you eat it, according to a new study.
A.so B.and C.but D.for