1 . The stage lights dimmed, and I took a quick look from behind the heavy black curtains into the audience. _______ by the lights, I quickly pulled back. It seemed that a great number of eyes were looking at me. I took a deep _______ as the music of my dance began to play. I entered the stage and began my _______, the graduation test of the classical Indian dance.

After a decade of learning this art form, I had _______ been considered ready to take on the most difficult act. The test is the most important _______ in my life as a lot of effort has been put into making it a _______.

The performance is undertaken only by the most _______ and determined students. It is a difficult process that requires much _______. For more than six months, I spent two to three hours every day _______ these dances. Many times, I ________ myself to my physical and mental breaking point, but still I would not stop. I could not give up. There was always so much more to do and so much more to ________.

I ________ a lot about myself in those tiring hours. I learned that I was far too ________ to give up, and I was too proud to prove myself ________ after I had set an unrealistic goal. Even with physical pain and mental ________ I forced myself to ________ my expectations. Even when I was at the end of my ________, there was always something driving me on, forcing me not to give up.

Fortunately, I made it. What I had done ________ the success. It was in those hours that I learned what a dancer ________ is. That period of time was evidence that I could ________ something I set out to do.

1.

A．Lit

B．Blinded

C．Shocked

D．Warmed

2.

A．breath

B．rest

C．thought

D．sorrow

3.

A．career

B．attempt

C．performance

D．response

4.

A．occasionally

B．finally

C．easily

D．desperately

5.

A．time

B．dance

C．event

D．problem

6.

A．success

B．truth

C．symbol

D．mark

7.

A．beautiful

B．intelligent

C．considerate

D．focused

8.

A．talent

B．commitment

C．strength

D．organization

9.

A．recording

B．practicing

C．designing

D．discussing

10.

A．addicted

B．treated

C．pushed

D．applied

11.

A．reflect

B．research

C．forget

D．learn

12.

A．discovered

B．devoted

C．controlled

D．shared

13.

A．brilliant

B．brave

C．stubborn

D．discouraged

14.

A．careless

B．nervous

C．frightened

D．wrong

15.

A．function

B．level

C．action

D．stress

16.

A．live up to

B．come up with

C．put up with

D．give in to

17.

A．preparation

B．limit

C．purpose

D．destination

18.

A．expanded

B．increased

C．deserved

D．exposed

19.

A．completely

B．chiefly

C．originally

D．truly

20.

A．achieve

B．supply

C．change

D．explain

2 . A pioneering dancer is proving that you can chase your dreams—even in a wheelchair. Since the age of three, Chelsie Hill had dreamed of becoming a dancer. “The only thing that I _______ was dance,” she told CBS News. 

That ambition nearly ended one night in 2010. Hill, _______ a 17-year-old high school senior in Pacific Grove, California, was in a car accident that put her in the _______ for 51 days and left her paralyzed (瘫痪) from the waist down. 

For most people, that would have _______ any hope of a dancing career. For Hill, it was the _______. Far from being an obstacle (障碍), her wheelchair encouraged her. “I wanted to prove to my community—and to myself—that I was still ‘_______’,” she told Teen Vogue. “Whatever normal meant.” 

Normal for her meant _______. So Hill did it in her wheelchair right _______ her nondisabled high school dance team. “Half of my _______ was taken away from me, and I have to move it with my hands,” Hill told Today. “It definitely ________ a lot of learning and patience.” 

After ________, Hill wanted to expand her dance network to include ________ like her. She met people online who had suffered various physical injuries and shared her determination, and she invited them to dance with her. “It was such a(n) ________ experience.” Hoping to reach more people in a larger city, Hill ________ to Los Angeles in 2014 and formed a team of dancers with disabilities she calls the Rollettes. 

“I want to ________ the stereotype (模式化观念) of wheelchair users and show that dance is dance, whether you’re walking or you’re rolling,” she told CBS News.

1.

A．remembered

B．rejected

C．learned

D．loved

2.

A．now

B．recently

C．once

D．then

3.

A．home

B．vehicle

C．school

D．hospital

4.

A．realized

B．hatched

C．dashed

D．afforded

5.

A．beginning

B．misfortune

C．hope

D．conclusion

6.

A．useful

B．average

C．helpless

D．normal

7.

A．standing

B．dancing

C．quitting

D．studying

8.

A．throughout

B．without

C．alongside

D．outside

9.

A．body

B．life

C．time

D．mind

10.

A．knew

B．met

C．made

D．took

11.

A．graduation

B．operation

C．employment

D．retirement

12.

A．students

B．volunteers

C．females

D．dancers

13.

A．amazing

B．bearable

C．willing

D．affordable

14.

A．applied

B．moved

C．returned

D．contributed

15.

A．bring about

B．put away

C．break down

D．build up

3 . Since I was a child,my dream was being a famous singer.Three years ago I moved to London to study_________ and it was the most amazing year of my life.My dream was more _________ than ever.And I didn’t want to be just a _________,but the one that inspires people and _________ a message of love and happiness. 

A year later I figured out it was time for a change and to_________ my professional music career.So I _________ a music business degree in a music university.In one of the university seminars,a director talked about how they _________ young artists and introduce them to successful record labels. 

From that moment I knew I wanted to be_________ with them.It felt like it was a good _________ even though few artists per year could succeed.Sometimes I had __________ and setbacks.Then I met a girl in a management company.But I was __________ since the company only has 20 employees.Anyway I __________ to her a demo of one of my songs. 

I didn’t hear from her for two weeks but I still imagined the__________ of me signing the contract.Then unexpectedly,I got a call __________ they were really interested in me.I’m so happy because I know I’m one step __________ to my dream.Fast forward one month,I finally got to sign with them!

1.

A．history

B．science

C．music

D．art

2.

A．practical

B．likely

C．remote

D．ambitious

3.

A．singer

B．musician

C．writer

D．composer

4.

A．spreads

B．creates

C．acquires

D．indicates

5.

A．explore

B．start

C．prepare

D．solve

6.

A．accounted for

B．applied for

C．answered for

D．searched for

7.

A．spot

B．employ

C．produce

D．develop

8.

A．provided

B．concerned

C．associated

D．signed

9.

A．chance

B．selection

C．alternative

D．bargain

10.

A．decisions

B．confidence

C．doubts

D．preference

11.

A．shocked

B．confused

C．amused

D．puzzled

12.

A．brought

B．rented

C．mailed

D．sent

13.

A．failure

B．ceremony

C．outcome

D．opportunity

14.

A．meaning

B．implying

C．proving

D．saying

15.

A．further

B．closer

C．wider

D．longer

4 . Misty didn’t always feel so confident in herself. The challenges she has faced over almost 20 years of dancing have made her strong.

At the young age, Misty was a shy child and_________the spotlight(聚光灯).But she loved music and movement. When she was 13, her coach suggested that she attend a free ballet class at the Boys &Girls club. At first, Misty was afraid to join in and felt out of place in the class._________, she discovered that her body--especially her long legs and flexible muscles--was just right for ballet, which_________her up. However, at the age of 19, she suddenly gain_________ “My body changed completely over the course of several months,” she says. Misty had always been long and slim, which was considered “perfect” for a ballet dancer’s body. But now, she says, “I was being told that my proportions(比例) just weren’t right any more.” Additionally, Misty was the_________African American in a company of 80 dancers. So she sometimes felt as if she didn’t fit in. Misty says this time was “one of the_________moments of my life.”   Even though Misty felt discouraged, she didn’t break_________. She talked with others who had struggled with similar problems. With the support of these friends, things slowly_________.

Today, Misty says, “I’ve learned to embrace my appearance, skin color, and figure.” She wants to help other dancers_________themselves, too. In her own book, Firebird, Misty tells readers to go after their dreams: “No matter what that dream is,” she writes, “ you have the power to make it come true with hard work and__________.”

1.

A．liked

B．ignored

C．needed

D．avoided

2.

A．By this means

B．With courage

C．Over time

D．At her age

3.

A．cheered

B．made

C．brought

D．picked

4.

A．strength

B．confidence

C．weight

D．knowledge

5.

A．first

B．only

C．special

D．poorest

6.

A．happiest

B．best

C．toughest

D．scariest

7.

A．down

B．up

C．away

D．out

8.

A．happened

B．turned

C．worsened

D．improved

9.

A．change

B．like

C．accept

D．believe

10.

A．devotion

B．fortune

C．experience

D．patience

7 . Music can make us feel happy, peaceful or sad. As an orchestra conductor, Amy Anderson brings music to life, allowing people to experience many _______ that music can give.

Anderson fell in love with _______ when she was a child. She began playing the piano at seven and started composing at nine. She bought many videos _______ by the world’s great orchestras and conductors and listened to them for hours on end.

During a concert, the audience see the _______ of a conductor and the arm movements he or she makes. What audiences do not see is all the work the conductor has done before the _______．

Months before a concert, Anderson studies the music by _______ it on the piano. Her goal is to recreate the music as the composer _______．

While conducting, Anderson uses her whole body to express how the music should sound and feel. Her movements are dramatic when the music is _______ and gentle when the music is peaceful. As she _______, Anderson listens for problems with balance, sound and style.

To help young musicians better __________ how to play the music, Anderson might tell them to imagine a __________ and leisurely walk or a ship being tossed (颠簸) by waves.

“It is music’s ability to __________ people that I value most,” said Anderson. She

has seen audiences at her concerts __________, clap together in rhythm, and shout “Bravo！” After one concert in Serbia, audiences __________ around the orchestra’s buses and cheered for the young musicians as they climbed aboard.

Anderson is happy, knowing that she and the musicians have changed lives for the better,__________spirits and brought joy to people.

1.

A．feelings

B．characters

C．thoughts

D．changes

2.

A．painting

B．reading

C．music

D．dance

3.

A．invented

B．recorded

C．caught

D．directed

4.

A．chest

B．nose

C．shadow

D．back

5.

A．schedule

B．performance

C．task

D．game

6.

A．making

B．beating

C．playing

D．repeating

7.

A．expected

B．intended

C．encouraged

D．suggested

8.

A．energetic

B．magical

C．quiet

D．sad

9.

A．studies

B．conducts

C．sings

D．competes

10.

A．decide

B．respond

C．plan

D．understand

11.

A．short

B．violent

C．calm

D．sensitive

12.

A．reach

B．attack

C．praise

D．accept

13.

A．touch

B．escape

C．applaud

D．nod

14.

A．collected

B．approached

C．surrounded

D．gathered

15.

A．took up

B．turned up

C．gave up

D．lifted up

9 . My history with music was not good. I still remembered when I took my short-lived piano lessons, my grandfather said _____ to my grandfather, “Why didn’t he make any progress with much practice?” I______ to make my piano performance attractive, but my efforts were______ .

So I gave up playing any musical instrument until my old friend Leroy ______ me to play the violin with him when I was 57. It made me enjoy the joy of playing music again. One day, Leroy sent a text________ me that there was a music performance and he wanted me to join him. Thinking of my past, I _________ his invitation. I expected to hear his words that I would become_______ with practice on stage. But he said, “OK, only play if you want to.” I was totally_______by the unexpected answer and made no reply except to tell him goodbye.

No one was_______ me to participate, but I faced a special ______. Should I play on stage or just watch a movie? I had chosen the “movie route” too many times and this time I was_______ to grasp the opportunity. After a long and careful______, I played my violin with Leroy. ThoughI didn’t lose all my nervousness, it was enough for me to overcome ________ fear. Finally, I________ a full performance in front of the audience.

A short time later, my friend Leroy passed away, but his ______ stayed. It helped me not only in music, but in all aspects of life. When I focus on what I wanted to do, fear is replaced with joy.

1.

A．worriedly

B．calmly

C．patiently

D．angrily

2.

A．pretended

B．regretted

C．agreed

D．tried

3.

A．on time

B．in order

C．in vain

D．on display

4.

A．challenged

B．invited

C．allowed

D．reminded

5.

A．convincing

B．informing

C．warning

D．cheating

6.

A．refused

B．received

C．blamed

D．evaluated

7.

A．important

B．special

C．reliable

D．skilled

8.

A．shocked

B．scared

C．satisfied

D．ashamed

9.

A．teaching

B．begging

C．forcing

D．expecting

10.

A．chance

B．goal

C．task

D．choice

11.

A．suitable

B．curious

C．willing

D．generous

12.

A．preparation

B．explanation

C．test

D．search

13.

A．myself

B．me

C．my

D．mine

14.

A．planned

B．recommended

C．watched

D．offered

15.

A．fame

B．concern

C．influence

D．care

10 . There is a tendency to think of each of the arts as a separate area of activity. Many artists, ________, would prove that there has always been a warm relationship between the various areas of human activity. ________, in the late nineteenth century the connections between music and painting were particularly________. Artists were invited to design clothes and settings for operas and ballets, but sometimes it was the musicians who were inspired (给……以灵感) by the work of contemporary painters. Of the musical compositions that were considered as ________ to the visual arts, perhaps the most famous is Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.

Mussorgsky ________ the piece in 1874 after the death, at the age of 39, of the artist Victor Hartmann. Though their friendship had not been a particularly long-lasting one, Mussorgsky was shocked by Hartmann’s ________ death. The following year the critic, Vladimir Stasov, who decided to hold an exhibition of Hartmann’s work, suggested that Mussorgsky try to ________ his grief by writing something in memory of Hartmann.

The exhibition served as Mussorgsky’s inspiration. The ten pieces that make up Pictures at an Exhibition are intended as ________ rather than representations of the paintings in the exhibition. Between each is a promenade (舞曲中的行进), as the composer walks from one painting to another. The music is sometimes witty and playful, sometimes almost ________ and frightening. Through a range of surprising ________, Mussorgsky manages to convey the spirit of the artist and his work.

1.

A．therefore

B．however

C．moreover

D．otherwise

2.

A．For example

B．On the contrary

C．In general

D．On the other hand

3.

A．separate

B．unknown

C．close

D．relevant

4.

A．links

B．additions

C．responses

D．keys

5.

A．published

B．composed

C．lost

D．picked

6.

A．unavoidable

B．undiscovered

C．unnecessary

D．unexpected

7.

A．control

B．relieve

C．conceal

D．represent

8.

A．symbols

B．imaginations

C．contributions

D．subjects

9.

A．fascinating

B．inspiring

C．charming

D．alarming

10.

A．paintings

B．topics

C．contrasts

D．visions