Immediately I got up and dressed, I stuck my violin under my jacket and went out into the streets to try my . I wandered about for an hour, looking for a likely , feeling as though I were about to commit a crime. Then I at last under a bridge near the station and decided to have a try.
I felt tense and . It was the first time, after all. I drew the violin from under the jacket like a gun. It was here, in Southampton, with trains rattling overhead, that I was about to myself. One moment I was part of the hurrying crowds, the next I stood apart, my back to the wall, my hat on the before me, the violin under my chin.
The first notes I played were loud and raw, like a declaration of protest, then they settled down and began to run more _ and to stay more or less in tune. To my ,I was neither arrested nor told to shut up. Indeed, nobody took any at all. Then an old man, without stopping at all, dropped a penny into my as though getting rid of some guilty evidence.
I worked the streets of Southampton for several days, gradually obtaining the truth of the by trial and error. It was not a good thing, for instance, to let the hat fill up with money---the sight could a kind-hearted man; nor was it wise to it completely, which could also confuse him, giving him no hint as to where to his money. Placing a couple of pennies in the hat to start the thing going soon became a practice and I made sure, between tunes, to take off most of the earnings, but always leaving two behind.
Old were most generous, and so were women with children, shop girls and barmaids. As for men, heavy drinkers were always willing listeners and so were big guys with muscles. But a man with an expensive hat, briefcase or dog: respectable types were the least of all. Except for retired army officers, who would shout "Why aren't you , young man?" and then would over-tip to cover up their confusion.
1.A. violin B. artC. skill D. luck
2.A. station B. spot C. street D. bridge
3.A. playedB. wandered C. stopped D. sat
4.A. nervous B. excited C. lostD. strange
5.A. shame B. show C. damage D. declare
6.A. wall B. bridge C. pavement D. road
7.A. smoothly B. slowly C. angrily D. roughly
8.A. excitement B. sorrow C. astonishment D. surprise
9.A. money B. pity C. notice D. rest
10.A. hat B. pocket C. hand D. bag
11.A. people B. tradeC. performance D. music
12.A. encourage B. helpC. support D. discourage
13.A. fill B. empty C. tear D. hide
14.A. make B. get C. drop D. earn
15.A. modern B. regular C. timely D. economic
16.A . pennies B. dollars C. pounds D. euros
17.A. workers B. teachers C. doctors D. ladies
18.A. never B. often C. always D. sometimes
19.A. generous B. comfortable C. handsome D. selfish
20.A. playing B. working C. cheating D. shopping
–I’m quite nervous about tomorrow’s oral English Test.
--_________.
A. You are great. B. It’s no brainer.
C. I’ll cross my fingers for you. D. Forget it.
Doctor Smith has made another wonderful discovery, _______ great importance.
A. which I think is of B. which I think it is of
C. which is I think D. I think which is
The suit _______him quite well_______the color was a little brighter.
A. fit; except that B. fitted; except for
C. matched; besides D. suited; aside from
. If _____ to look after luggage for someone else, inform the police at once.
A. askedB. to askC. askingD. having asked
Those who suffer from the headache will find they get ________ from this medicine.
A. safety B. relief C. defense D. shelter
