The music world lost a rock and roll superstar this week when guitarist Eddie Van Halen passed away. He was only 65 years old.
Eddie Van Halen was a founding member of the band Van Halen. He formed the group in 1974 with his brother Alex, who played the drums. Van Halen released (发行) its most popular single, the song Jump, in 1983. Jump rose to the top of Billboard Magazıne’s list of Hot 100 songs and stayed there for five weeks. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio lists Jump among its “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll”. Eddie Van Halen released at least 15 record albums with his band over the years, selling more than 80 million around the world. In 2007, Van Halen entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Van Halen brothers were born in the Netherlands. Their father was a professional musician. Their mother was from Indonesia. In the 1950s, some Netherlanders did not support the mixed-race (混种族) marriage, so the family moved to the United States. They settled in southern California. Eddie and Alex Van Halen had to learn English in their new land. Both brothers studied piano for years before getting interested in rock and roll.
As a child, Eddie was considered musically gifted. Eddie told a reporter he did not learn to read music. He said he would watch his teacher play and memorize his moves. He also said that he never took a class on playing the guitar, although he studied under Eric Clapton for a time. His father was among the first to recognize Eddie’s guitar skill. “You’ve got it, kid,” Eddie’s father said to him early on.
Eddie’s guitar playing was hard and fast. He was energetic while performing, often jumping like an acrobat (杂技演员) as he played. He was known for the way he tapped on the guitar strings with both hands. It influenced many musicians that followed.
1. What’s Paragraph 2 mainly about?| A．Eddie’s band. | B．Eddie’s Jump. |
| C．Eddie’s life story. | D．Eddie’s achievements. |
| A．To make a good living. | B．To escape racial prejudice. |
| C．To receive better education. | D．To experience different cultures. |
| A．Determined. | B．Energetic.. | C．Intelligent. | D．Hardworking. |
| A．To remember a famous musician. |
| B．To express sadness for a superstar’s death. |
| C．To praise Eddie Van Halen for his contributions. |
| D．To show the excellence of Eddie Van Halen. |
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【推荐1】In modern society, dance is widely recognized as a form of entertainment. Many people enjoy dancing for fun or watching their favorite artists dance on stage or screen. It can also be a form of sport.
Dance has also been used to make sure that adults follow the rules. An example comes from a research conducted in the mid- 1900s on dances performed after hunts by the Mbuti Pygmies, a group living in parts of Central Africa.
In some cultures, dance can be a way of displaying power. For instance, there is another report from the mid-1900s describing how the Maring people of New Guinea would hold dances to show their military strength. Through the dances, a group’s size and strength would become obvious to potential opponents.
The roles of dance discussed here have one shared effect.
| A．This could help avoid a fight. |
| B．They unite members of a group. |
| C．The roots can be traced to the late 1700s. |
| D．There are dance competitions of various types. |
| E．Suppose something had gone wrong in the hunt. |
| F．They acted out scenes and displayed their own traditions. |
| G．Sometimes dance serves to help teach social rules to young members. |
【推荐2】Rock and roll music developed in the United States in the early 1950’s. It was based on the music called rhythm and blues that was performed by African-American musicians.
Early rock and roll singers developed their own kinds of music. Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys, and Bob Dylan were the most popular rock and roll musicians in the early 1960’s. All were Americans. Then, in 1964, a new rock and roll group from Britain invaded America: the Beatles.
Some people say the Beatles’ music shook America like an earthquake. The Beatles changed rock and roll forever. Their early songs were influenced by American rock and roll musicians, including Chuck Berry. But the Beatles looked different and sounded different from any other musical groups before them.
The Beatles released their first album in the United States in 1964, when all of the top five records in America were by the Beatles. In 1967, they released an album called Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was one of the first “concept” albums. That is, all the songs were linked by a common story or idea.
The popularity of the Beatles led the way for more rock and roll bands from Britain to become popular in America. The Rolling Stones was the most important of these bands. The Rolling Stones is one of the few groups from the 1960’s that is still performing and recording today. In 1965, the group recorded one of its most famous songs, Satisfaction.
The musical instrument most linked to rock and roll is the guitar. Experts say Jimi Hendrix was one of the most influential guitar players in rock and roll during the late 1960’s. His Purple Haze was liked by many people.
By the 1970s, rock and roll music became known as rock music. It expanded into many new forms. For example, there were country rock, hard rock, acid rock, heavy metal rock, punk rock, jazz rock and glitter rock.
In the middle 1970s, experts said that rock music regained some of the energy of early rock and roll. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band became popular with their album Born to Run. Springsteen’s music was like the lively rock and roll music of the early 1960’s. Many of his songs were about social issues. He sang about the effects of unemployment and the war in Vietnam.
1. The main topic of this passage is ________.| A．the history of American music | B．the development of rock and roll music |
| C．the famous rock and roll groups | D．the new forms of rock and roll music |
| A．The Beatles—Chuck Berry. | B．The Rolling Stones—Satisfaction. |
| C．Jimi Hendrix—Purple Haze. | D．Bruce Springsteen—Born to Run. |
| A．Elvis Presley’s. | B．Bob Dylan’s. |
| C．Jimi Hendrix’s. | D．Springsteen’s. |
| A．one of the Rolling Stones’ albums was called “concept” |
| B．the Beatles and the Rolling Stones became popular at the same time |
| C．rock and roll music had many different forms at the beginning |
| D．rock and roll music probably came from African-American music |
【推荐3】Yo-Yo Ma is an American cellist (大提琴家) born in Paris to Chinese parents. His musical career is a testament to his belief in culture’s power to generate trust and understanding. Whether performing works, engaging unexpected musical forms, or working with communities and institutions to explore culture’s role in society, he works to create a better world that begins with culture.
Expanding upon this belief, in 1998 he established Silkroad, a collective of artists worldwide creating music that engages many traditions. In addition to presenting performances, Silkroad cooperates with museums and universities to develop training programs for teachers, musicians, and learners of all ages. Through his work with Silkroad, he frequently performs lesser-known music.
Besides, he partners with communities and institutions to develop programs that champion culture’s power to transform lives and create a more connected world. Among his many roles, he is artistic director of the annual Youth Music Culture Guangdong festival, a UN Messenger of Peace, and the first artist ever appointed to the World Economic Forum’s board of trustees.
When the pandemic began, Yo-Yo began an online series titled “Songs of Comfort” to ease anxieties. His short, self-shot videos soon reached over 18 million people. On March 13, 2021, after receiving the 2nd COVID-19 shot, he transformed a clinic into a temporary concert hall, in a moment that residents called a symbolic representation of “the light at the end of the tunnel”.
Yo-Yo Ma once said every generation has a chance to do better, to create a world that works for all. To him, doing better begins with culture—the point at which the arts, sciences, and society cross.
1. The underlined word “testament” in Paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to “________”.| A．thought | B．proof | C．invitation | D．reaction |
| A．It offered music trainings independently. |
| B．It was set up by museums and universities. |
| C．It benefited traditional and unpopular music. |
| D．It was intended to create more musical forms. |
| A．Fair and determined. |
| B．Humorous and smart. |
| C．Generous and traditional. |
| D．Open-minded and positive. |
| A．Music Knows No Boundaries. |
| B．Music Matters to Build a Connected World. |
| C．Yo-Yo Ma: Dream and Hope Make One Artist Innovator. |
| D．Yo-Yo Ma: Pathway to a Better World Begins with Culture. |
【推荐1】At 5:30 am, carer（护工）Ivy Bowen's clock wakes her up. She puts on her uniform, and then walks to a bus stop to the hospital where she works. Two hours and two buses later, the 68-year-old arrives at 8:00 am, half an hour before her shift（轮班）.
For Tracey Griffiths and her son Carl, this half an hour has been life-changing. Because for nearly two years, Ivy has spent that time bringing Carl cups of tea and chatting. Thanks to these chats, as well as Ivy's devotion and caring skills, Carl has begun speaking again after four years of silence.
Four years ago, a serious accident left Carl unable to move and talk. When he did finally speak, one of his first words, unsurprisingly, was "Ivy". "Ivy is there and it makes a huge difference. Thanks to her, Carl's speech is coming on by leaps and bounds," says Tracey.
Ivy should have retired（退休）two years ago but she is still there, because she wants to be, and so do the hospital's managers and her grateful patients. Ivy is now in charge of 25 patients at the hospital. She makes tea and coffee for families as well as patients, and makes sure that everyone in her care gets enough fresh water. She also helps with feeding, giving creams or anything else that might need doing.
Ivy's great wish to improve the lives of patients has driven her to find other ways, in which she can help them out. For Ivy, the recipe for good care is simple. "Treat everyone as you would like to be treated yourself," she says. "I love everything about working at the hospital. To be able to come in, have a chat and change someone's day a bit, it means a lot."
1. When should Ivy Bowen begin her work every morning?| A．At 5:30. | B．At 7:30. |
| C．At 8:00. | D．At8:30. |
| A．To chat with the patients. | B．To give creams to the patients. |
| C．To feed all the patients. | D．To provide water for the patients. |
| A．Ivy's son. | B．Ivy's patient. |
| C．The nursing director. | D．A famous doctor. |
| A．Carl has great difficulty in keeping silent. |
| B．Carl makes a huge difference to Ivy's career. |
| C．Carl is too afraid to see the carers as well as doctors. |
| D．Carl has made progress in speaking with the help of Ivy. |
【推荐2】Iris Apfel, the interior designer and fashion tastemaker, who found fame in her 80s, has died aged 102. “She was forward-thinking in every sense of the world and saw the world through a unique lens. She saw the world as a kaleidoscope (万花筒) of colour, a canvas of patterns and prints,” said Apfel’s agent, Lori Sale.
Born in 1921 in Queens, New York, Apfel studied art history at New York University and later attended art school at the University of Wisconsin. Her first job was as a copywriter at Women’s Wear Daily. She later worked for the interior designer Elinor Johnson and also the illustrator Robert Goodman. In 1948, she married Carl Apfel. Two years later they launched the textile company Old World Weaver s and ran it until they retired in 1992.
As an outstanding authority on old-fashioned fabrics (纺织物), Apfel gave guidance on restoration projects, including work at the White House. She was the subject of several museum exhibitions and more recently starred in campaigns for H&M, eBay, Citroen and even had a Barbie doll made in her likeness. Among those showing respect was the US designer Tommy Hilfiger, who praised Apfel as an “innovator and leader” in the world of textiles and style, saying “Iris Apfel has become a world-famous fashion icon because of her incredible talent and amazing effect on so many people with her huge heart and magic touch.”
In 2005, her personal collection of designer accessories (配饰) and clothes became the subject of an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It was the first time that the Met had focused on a living female who was more than a designer. In another first, Apfel dressed the mannequins (人体模型) herself, styling them in her own unique and magnificent manner.
When asked about aging in a 2018 interview, Apfel said, “I wouldn't want to stop the clock. No, that would be so boring. It would be like being caught in a time machine. I don’t like that. I think variety is the spice of life.”
1. Which of the following is true according to the passage?| A．Apfel saw the world through a lens because she was far-sighted. |
| B．Apfel set up the textile company Old World Weavers on her own. |
| C．Apfel offered suggestions on the way to restore the White House. |
| D．Apfel was the first to dress the mannequins for the design industry. |
| A．Because she was a talented film star. | B．Because many US designers praised her. |
| C．Because she had a great influence on people. | D．Because a Barbie doll was made on her looks. |
| A．She believes aging is full of excitement. |
| B．She prefers being caught in a time machine. |
| C．She wants to experience different stages of fashion. |
| D．She thinks variety is significant for a meaningful life. |
| A．Aging with style | B．Growing with talent |
| C．Living with passion | D．Working with determination |
【推荐3】My presentation was horrible. I knew it before I heard “we’ll be in touch” from the potential customer. Then the rest of my day was spent in relative silence - I was left alone. Eventually, I left my air-conditioned office and outside there was a heat wave.
I boarded a bus but couldn’t tolerate it as its air-conditioner wasn’t working, so I got off at the next stop and walked home. I refused to take off my jacket because “when it rains let it pour” was my philosophy.
A block from my building, I heard the water splashing and kids screaming. As I turned the corner, there were kids playing in the water. When they saw me in my suit they stopped the water and when they saw my mean look, they even got quiet.
Then I noticed the youngest kid, no older than five, holding a water gun down by his side, eyeing me hard. I eyed him back. Suddenly, he shot his gun at me. As I took my first step toward him, another boy threw his water gun towards me. I caught it and pulled the trigger (扳机) to ward the five-year-old. He fought back but his shooter was no match for my power, so instead, he turned his water gun on a few other kids who were shocked into stillness at what just happened. Then, I also turned my water gun on these kids and before long we were in all-out water warfare.
Needless to say, I was wet and laughed like I’d never done it before. I couldn’t remember my last water fight and if I did, it couldn’t have been as enjoyable as this one. It took a five-year old to bring out the kid in me and help me realize that you may not be able o control disappointment but you can still welcome those things that make you happy.
1. Why did the author feel unhappy on the way home?| A．He most likely lost a deal. | B．He saw some annoying people. |
| C．He had to bear the cold weather. | D．He was caught in the heavy rain. |
| A．Ashamed. | B．Relieved. |
| C．Excited. | D．Frightened. |
| A．Surround ourselves with happy kids. |
| B．Remember to let in joy in hard times. |
| C．Let go of old memories and move on. |
| D．Avoid feeling disappointed or upset. |
【推荐1】Throughout history, environmentalists have had a great influence not only on natural spaces, but also on our lives. Here are four influential ones.
● John Muir (1838 — 1914)
His lifelong love for hiking began when he hiked to the Gulf of Mexico in 1867. Muir spent much of his adult life wandering and fighting to preserve the wilderness of the West, especially California. His efforts led to the creation of Yosemite National Park, Sequoia National Park and so on.
● David Brower (1912 — 2000)
David Brower was connected with wilderness preservation. He became the Sierra Club’s first executive director in 1952, and then, over the next 17 years, the club membership grew from 2,000 to 77,000. The club achieved many environmental successes under his leadership. After leaving the club he went on to found other environmental groups like Friends of the Earth and Earth Island Institute.
● Rachel Carson (1907 — 1964)
Born in Pennsylvania, Rachel Carson studied biology at Johns Hopkins University. After working for the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Carson published The Sea Around Us and other books. Her most famous work, Silent Spring, described the harmful environmental influences of pesticides (杀虫剂). After Carson’s observations were proved correct, pesticides like DDT were banned.
● Wangari Maathai (1940 — 2011)
Wangari Maathai was from Kenya. After studying biology in the US, she returned to her home country to begin a career as an environmental activist. Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, which, by the early 21st century, had already planted some 30 million trees, providing jobs and firewood for rural communities. In 2004, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
1. What do John Muir and David Brower have in common?| A．They had a spirit of adventure. |
| B．They loved hiking in the wilderness. |
| C．They founded many environmental groups. |
| D．They were committed to wilderness preservation. |
| A．John Muir. | B．David Brower. | C．Rachel Carson. | D．Wangari Maathai. |
| A．She advocated growing trees. | B．She engaged in green farming. |
| C．She stopped using pesticides. | D．She funded rural communities. |
【推荐2】On May 17, the “Touching China” 2019 Award Ceremony went on the air on CCTV-1, and Professor William N. Brown from the School of Management of Xiamen University was awarded the honorary title “person of the year”.
The CCTV award speech says, “Open our hearts, for embracing enhances understanding; drop our biases, for nothing can separate us, even if it is the Pacific Ocean. Between the lines of your letters home, we can read your tales of China and your deep love for this country. Our dear friend from a far, China is forever a home away from home for you, and we all love you ‘cause you always feel at home in China.”
William Brown has served as a professor at the School of Management in Xiamen University since 1988. In 2002, he applied for permanent residence in China and became the first foreigner to be granted “Chinese Green Card” in Fujian Province. Having been working in China for 32 years, he knows and loves China, and has witnessed the rapid growth of China’s economy. Thanks to his introduction, cities like Xiamen and Quanzhou have earned their places on the honor roll of “International Garden Cities”. In addition, he has also been awarded the Chinese Government Friendship Award and Honorary Citizen of Xiamen.
By the end of 2018, he published a new book Off the Wall: How We Fell for China, recording and describing, from a unique global perspective, how China has changed and developed over the course of reform and opening up. In his acceptance speech at the ceremony, Brown said, “I don’t think I’ve done anything to touch China. On the contrary, China has touched me.” A bosom friend a far brings distant lands near. Charming Brown has been so charmed by China and its development. His stories of China are filed with such a deep love which has touched each and every one of us.
“Touching China” Award is a mind-nourishing brand program created by CCTV, and the year 2019 marksthe70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and this annual event is a special honor to the extraordinary builders of a new China.
1. What can we learn about William Brown?| A．He applied for permanent residence in China in 1988. |
| B．He has deep love for his home so he wrote the book. |
| C．He contributed to some cities earning international places. |
| D．He was the first foreigner to be granted “Chinese Green Card” in China. |
| A．Prejudice. | B．Favor. | C．Objection. | D．Feelings. |
| A．By recording and counting. | B．By arguing and recounting. |
| C．By describing and relating. | D．By writing lyrics and commenting. |
| A．A common activity to a new China. |
| B．A usual honor to the defenders of China. |
| C．A special honor to a new builder of China. |
| D．A specific award to the unusual constructors of China. |
【推荐3】Red Adair became “the man to call” if you wanted a fire in an oil well to be put out, a task that was extremely dangerous and difficult. Red Adair was born in Houston, Texas in 1915. He got such a name because of his bright red hair. The color became a trademark for him. He wore red clothes and red boots. He drove a red car, and he and his men used red trucks and red equipment.
One of Red Adair’s most dangerous jobs was in 1962. He and his men put out a natural gas fire in the Sahara Desert in Algeria. Burning for six months, the fire was so fierce that American astronaut John Glenn could see it from space as he orbited Earth and the sand around the fire had melted into glass from the extreme heat. The famous fire was called the “Devil’s Cigarette Lighter”.
Adair’s success with the big fire and earlier well fires captured imagination of the American film industry. In 1968, Hollywood made an action film called “Hellfighters” which was roughly based on events in Red Adair’s life. Adair said one of the best honors in the world was to have John Wayne play him in a movie. In 1998, Adair troubleshot (排除故障)what was possibly the world’s worst ocean accident at the Piper Alpha oil platform in the North Sea. One hundred and sixty-seven men were killed when the oil rig(油井钻探设备)exploded after a gas leak. Not only did Red Adair and his team have to put out the fires but they also had to deal with winds blowing at more than one hundred and twenty kilometers an hour, as well as the sea which was at least twenty meters deep.
In March of 1991, Red Adair went to Kuwait to put out at even hundred Kuwaiti fires following the Persian Gulf War. His efforts saved millions of liters of oil. Some experts say the operation also helped prevent an environmental tragedy.
Red Adair died at 89 on 7 August 2004. Many Americans remember him as a very brave man. He lived his life troubleshooting danger. He was known for risking his own life to save others.
1. Why was John Glenn mentioned in Paragraph 2?| A．To prove the fire was really big. |
| B．To confirm it was a natural gas fire. |
| C．To explain how the sand melted. |
| D．To show Adair’s job was important. |
| A．It was a big hit in Hollywood. |
| B．It was directed by John Wayne. |
| C．It is a documentary on firefighters. |
| D．It is loosely based on Adair’s life. |
| A．176 people died in a big ocean fire accident. |
| B．An oil rig exploded because of careless smoking. |
| C．Strong winds caused Adair to be badly injured in the fire. |
| D．Adair and his team managed to put out a big ocean fire. |
| A．To remember the great firefighter Red Adair. |
| B．To draw public attention to the danger of fires. |
| C．To call on more people to be brave firefighters. |
| D．To document some unforgettable fires in the world. |
