Question

George Gershwin, born in 1898, was one of America’s greatest composers. He published his first song when he was eighteen years old. During the next twenty years he wrote more than five hundred songs.

Many of Gershwin’s songs were first written for musical plays performed in theatres in New York City. These plays were a popular form of entertainment in the 1920s and 1930s. Many of his songs have remained popular as ever. Over the years they have been sung and played in every possible way — from jazz to country.

In the 1920s there was a debate in the United States about jazz music. Could jazz, some people asked, be considered serious music? In 1924 jazz musician and orchestra leader Paul Whiteman decided to organize a special concert to show that jazz was serious music. Gershwin agreed to compose something for the concert before he realized he had just a few weeks to do it. And in that short time, he composed a piece for piano and orchestra which he called Rhapsody in Blue. Gershwin himself played the piano at the concert. The audience were thrilled when they heard his music. It made him world-famous and showed that jazz music could be both serious and popular.

In 1928, Gershwin went to Paris. He applied to study composition (作曲)with the well-known musician Nadia Boulanger, but she rejected him. She was afraid that classical study would ruin his jazz-influenced style. While there, Gershwin wrote An American in Paris. When it was first performed, critics (评论家)were divided over the music. Some called it happy and full of life, to others it was silly and boring. But it quickly became popular in Europe and the United States. It sill remains one of his most famous works.

George Gershwin died in 1937, just days after doctors learned he had brain cancer. He was only thirty-nine years old. Newspapers all over the world reported his death on their front pages. People mourned the loss of the man and all the music he might have still written.

1.Many of Gershwin’s musical works were ________.

A. written about New Yorkers    B. composed for Paul Whiteman

C. played mainly in the countryside    D. performed in various ways

2.What did Gershwin do during his stay in Paris?

A. He created one of his best works.    B. He studied with Nadia Boulanger.

C. He argued with French critics.    D. He changed his music style.

3.What do we learn from the last paragraph?

A. Many of Gershwin’s works were lost.

B. The death of Gershwin was widely reported.

C. A concert was held in memory of Gershwin.

D. Brain cancer research started after Gershwin’s death.

4.Which of the following best describes Gershwin?

A. Talented and productive.    B. Serious and boring.

C. Popular and unhappy.    D. Friendly and honest.

Answer

1. D

2. A

3. B

4. A

【解析】

本文是一篇人物传记。生于1898年的George Gershwin是美国最伟大的作曲家之一，从18岁第一首乐曲面世，20年间，他创作了500多首歌曲。至今他的许多乐曲还一如既往地受到欢迎。从爵士到乡村，以各种可能的形式演奏着。Gershwin在由Paul Whiteman 组织的音乐会上亲自弹奏钢琴演绎了自编的《蓝色狂想曲》，证明爵士乐既可以是严肃音乐又可以是流行音乐，从而使自己举世闻名。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段最后一句Over the years they have been sung and played in every possible way-from jazz to country．可知，这么多年来，他们被各种方式演奏，从爵士到乡村。故D正确。

2.细节理解题。根据第四段第四句While there，Gershwin wrote An American in Paris．及最后一句It still remains one of his most famous works．可知，Gershwin在巴黎期间创作的曲子成为他最著名的乐曲之一。故A正确。

3.细节判断题。根据最后一段第三句Newspapers all over the world reported his death on their front pages．可知，全世界的报纸都在头版报道了他去世的消息。故B正确。

4.推理判断题。根据第一段第二句He published his first song when he was eighteen years old．以及第三段中And in that short time，he composed a piece for piano and orchestra which he called Rhapsody in Blue．可知，Gershwin在18岁就开始出版自己的第一首乐曲．在很短的时间内就写出乐曲《蓝色狂想曲》，从而举世闻名．由此可知，他很有天赋；再根据第一段最后一句"During the next twenty years he wrote more than five hundred songs．"可知，20年间他创作了500多首乐曲，说明他也是一位高产的作曲家。故A正确。