1 . 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.

3 . A Welcome Gift

Dario and his mother loved their new apartment. The living room was large enough for their piano. That night, the two of them _______ side by side at the piano, playing jazz music to celebrate their new home happily.

However, their happiness disappeared the next morning. Someone had left a _______ under their door during the night. One of their neighbors complained about the sound of the piano. Later that morning, Dario suggested that they write a letter to their _______ and apologize.

“Maybe we could go and _______ everyone in person.” his mother said. “What if we invited them to come here for a party instead? Dario asked. They both loved the _______. Then they started to prepare for it.

Finally, the day of the party arrived. Some guests brought presents. Others brought flowers. One woman, Mrs. Gilbert, _______ Dario's mother with a book of piano music by Chopin.

“I heard you playing the other night,” she said. “The sounds woke me out of bed. I _______ that you might play like this every night. So I wrote a short note I hope you don't think I disliked the playing.”

Dario's mother smiled at Mrs. Gilbert. “We should apologize to you.” she said. “I didn't _______ how late it was when we were playing.”

“You play, you play!” Mrs. Gilbert pointed to the book she had given them and said, “These songs are not such _______ music.”

“These songs are beautiful music. And we won't play so loud or late!” Dario said. The big smile on his mother's face gave him a feeling of ________ and made him feel that they were home at last.

6 . In kindergarten, I met my first love—dancing. For the last eleven years, I have spent many hours at the dance studio. The _______ I began as a little girl has shaped my personality, forming _______ that I will have for the rest of my life.

Once while our dance team _______ for the state competition, six senior members quit without notice, leaving our team without a   _______. My team’s enthusiasm for the season was cut in half. _______ , I was determined to become the new captain and lead my team past this obstacle.

During the first practice after the seniors quit, my team’s emotion was_______ . As a leader, I tried to motivate my team through_______ . I started to do _______ work outside practice to improve my kicking technique. My team respected me as a coach because I showed _______. On weekends , I spent hours trying to make up a creative competition routine. I wanted my team members to ________ the dance and perform well.

Before the state meet, I drilled the ________ into the girls’ heads and constantly encouraged them to work together. I would shout out names of people who were ________ well during the dance, and the girls would ________with even more energy. Through my dance experience, I also found I got better by ________ myself. I mixed new skills into the routine for the state competition to ________ my team’s technique. We wanted to prove to ourselves and our school that we could still be a(n)________ dance team without the girls who ________.

On the stage, I felt my team’s ________. I was proud that we were able to rebuild our confidence and go beyond our expectation at the state competition. We were ________ for all our hard work by placing in the top five. This experience taught me a lesson: with a passion for something, I could ________ any obstacle with creativity and determination.

7 . Alan Tripp, 102, and Marvin Weisbord, 88, recently released(发行)their first music album together, Senior Song Book.

The inspiration for the album came when Tripp _______ a poem，which was about life，getting old，and losing friends，shortly before he turned 100. He _______ it with his friend Weisbord，who grew up playing the piano，and he was _______ to it immediately. Weisbord decided to set it to music as a surprise _______ for Tripp's 100th birthday.

On his birthday party，listening to Weisbord perform his words on the _______ inspired the idea for an album. “I spent my whole life time wanting to become a _______ ，and at 102, I thought，Why not finally do it?” “Tripp said. Over two years，they spent several hours each week testing the composition and writing lyrics（歌词). They would _______ in the morning and sit at the grand piano in Weisbord's apartment. Tripp and Weisbord _______ the money of the album on their own. In addition to Weisbord's band，they employed ten singers to _______ the songs.

The album，released on Nov. 15, has a 1940s tune with ________ lyrics. “It is the great music of the 1940s，1950s and 1960s，but the words are looking ahead to the 2020s,” Tripp said，laughing happily. The album's first copies ________ within days-but you can ________ listen to the album on YouTube.

Tripp and Weisbord hope their album will ________ other seniors to try something ________ .“You don't retire(退休)from something. Instead，you should retire to something，” Tripp said. “We ________ what we're doing，and that's what makes us live so long.”

8 . It was a rainy morning and the children, mainly boys with various learning difficulties, refused to settle for the start of the lesson. As an inexperienced teacher, I tried every means to get them to be_____________________, but in vain. My panic was rising and I could feel my heart beating wildly. This was the_____________of my job as a music teacher, I thought—teaching was not for me. Then I had an idea. Hoping that no one would notice that I was_____________inside, I threw my voice as far as it would reach: “Put your heads on the desks and close your eyes! We are going on a journey.”

_________, the children fell silent. “Now what should I do?” I thought to myself. Reaching over to my collection of CDs, I blindly_______, put it in the machine and played it. Obediently (顺从地) , my class lay their heads on their desks, closed their eyes and___________. When the music started, the room was filled with the most beautiful tones and musical colors I could have ever imagined. All the children were_____________. When the music finished, I asked them all to raise their_____________slowly so that we could share our musical journeys.

At this point, when all the children were willing to share their experiences, I began to learn how to teach. The music allowed me to learn that teaching is about sharing and respect, tears and smiles, the knowing and the_____________and, most of all, an understanding of each other. This was the power that______________in the classroom could have.

9 . I was once invited to a chamber--music concert at the home of distinguished philanthropist(慈善家). I knew very little music, that is, I was almost tone deaf —only with great effort could I ____ the simplest tone. So when the music started. I ____ my face in an expression of appreciation, closed my “ears” from the _____ and was lost in_____   thoughts. Just at the moment, I heard a gentle _____: “ You're fond of Bach?”

Actually I knew ____ about Bach. But I did know I was sitting next to Albert Einstein. “I've never heard any of his music.” I said ____ . A look of______ washed across his face. “You have never heard Bach? You will come with me.”

He ____ me upstairs, opened a phonograph(留声机) and put Bing Crosby’s record______. After three or four phrases, he______ the phonograph, “Now,” he said. “Will you tell me what you have just heard?” the simplest ____ seemed to be to sing the lines. “You see,” he cried   ____, “You do have a(n) ____ !” He then found Caruso’s record and set it going, Caruso was _____ by at least a dozen others, more and more   ____.

“Now we are _____ for Bach!   Just allow yourself to listen. That is all.” he said. It wasn't really all, of course. Without the effort he had just ____   out for a total stranger I would never have heard Bach’s “ Sheep May Safely Craze.”   I have heard it many times since. I don't think I shall ever ______ it. Because I never listen to it _____ . I'm sitting beside a man with eyes that contain in their extraordinary warmth all the wonder of the world.

10 . My parents always told me that I couldn't________, because it was a girl's sport. But I never________my dream of becoming a dancing star. I practised secretly, learning from books, movies, and shows. However,________my parents' support, that dream seemed all but impossible to reach. One summer, my little sister Maggie was going to dance lessons. I immediately asked my parents for permission to take her to the lessons. What a________chance to learn dancing!

One afternoon, I was practising a new dance in my room, when Maggie________.

What's the matter, Maggie?" I________dancing.

Denis, you are a great dancer! Can you help me? "

"What is it?" I wondered.

There'll be a dancing performance in my school, but the boys think I'm slow, and________of them wants to be my partner. Could you dance with me for it?" She looked at me________.

"You can be a good dancer!" I encouraged her, "Let's________those people that they have been wrong all along."

In the following months, we________every evening, hiding from my parents. I was having a________time and soon Maggie improved a lot.

Finally came the big day. I became________when I heard my parents would come to________the performance. As the music began, I took a deep breath and tried to________. We moved perfectly, shining with pride. From the cheering of the crowd, I was sure we had succeeded.

My heart was beating wildly when I saw my________coming towards me. He put his hand on my shoulder. Well done, son.________it is hard for me to admit it, you really looked like you belonged to this stage. Go for it and make us________."

I'd been waiting for this________for so long. I knew that the road ahead wasn't going to be________, but I wouldn't give up. I wanted________more in life than to dance.