Question

John Otway

John Otway has been playing music and making records in the UK for more than 40 years. Over the years he has released more than ten albums. He has played hundreds of concerts. He has written two autobiographies. He has worked with some of the country’s best musicians and he has even made a film about his life. But despite all of this, most people have never heard of him.

Otway released his first record in 1972, but it was the Punk Movement a few years later that really gave him his big chance. Otway wasn’t the greatest musician but his songs were always fun, and his performances on stage were always entertaining - there was a good chance he would fall off the stage at least once in each show. The punks liked him, and in 1977 he had a small hit when his single Really Free made it to No. 27 in the UK top 40 charts. Otway really enjoyed his success but unfortunately, no more came. Not one of his records over the next 30 years was a hit.

Although he never had much commercial success, Otway had a lot of very loyal fans. When someone asked him what he would like for his 50^th birthday, his reply was: “A second hit.” His fans went out and bought as many copies of the new single Bunsen Burner as they could. And in October 2002, Otway finally saw his wish come true. In a chart that featured international superstars like Pink, Will Young and Oasis, Bunsen Burner made it to No. 9. Many high street shops refused to sell the record, saying that Otway was too old and unattractive for the teenage market. Otway didn’t care. He celebrated his success with an appearance on TV’s biggest music show Top of the Pops.

These days John Otway continues to play his music around the country, and there are always plenty of people who are happy to go and watch him perform. He’s a great example for anyone who loves making music. You don’t have to be young, good-looking (or even very talented) to enjoy a long career in the music business.

1.From paragraph 1, we know that ________.

A.John Otway has released hundreds of albums

B.John Otway never worked with best musicians

C.John Otway has written hundreds of autobiographies

D.John Otway is not well-known in the UK as a musician

2.John Otway saw his wish come true when he released ________.

A.Really Free B.Bunsen Burner

C.Top of the Pops D.his first record

3.Why were some street shops unwilling to sell his single Bunsen Burner?

A.They thought it was terrible.

B.It wasn’t a very big hit.

C.John Otway didn’t want them to have it.

D.They thought teenagers would not like to buy it.

4.What can we learn from the passage?

A.Musicians have to be young and attractive.

B.Success isn’t important in our life.

C.We should be determined to do what we love.

D.Musicians do much better as they get older.

Answer

1.D

2.B

3.D

4.C

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了英国音乐家John Otway虽然在英国演奏音乐和制作唱片超过40年，但是毫无名气。文章说明了John Otway从事音乐家以来的事迹，虽然John Otway没有名气但是他忠于自己喜爱的事业没有放弃。

1.推理判断题。根据第一段中But despite all of this, most people have never heard of him.可知尽管如此，大多数人从未听说过他。由此可知，John Otway在英国作为音乐家并不出名。故选D。

2.细节理解题。根据第三段中His fans went out and bought as many copies of the new single Bunsen Burner as they could. And in October 2002, Otway finally saw his wish come true.可知他的粉丝们出去买了尽可能多的Bunsen Burner专辑。2002年10月，Otway的愿望终于实现了。由此可知，当John Otway发布Bunsen Burner专辑后，他的愿望实现了。故选B。

3.细节理解题。根据第三段中Many high street shops refused to sell the record, saying that Otway was too old and unattractive for the teenage market.可知许多商业街的商店拒绝出售这张唱片，说奥特威唱片太老了，对青少年市场没有吸引力。由此可知，一些街头商店不愿意卖他的Bunsen Burner专辑，因为他们认为青少年不会愿意买。故选D。

4.推理判断题。根据文章内容主要讲述了英国音乐家John Otway虽然在英国演奏音乐和制作唱片超过40年，但是毫无名气。文章说明了John Otway从事音乐家以来的事迹，虽然John Otway没有名气但是他忠于自己喜爱的事业没有放弃。可知由此可推知，从这篇文章中我们能了解到，我们应该下定决心去做我们喜欢做的事。故选C。