Question

    Mike frowned at his calendar and then picked up his guitar. His band had been together for five months. Everyone said they were fantastic but they still had not been blessed with a paying job.

The three guys had become acquainted in band class, and organizing a group had been Mike’s idea. Mike played the guitar and acted as leader. John was on drums and James was on the saxophone. The three got together just for fun and named their group Playday.

But when some fans praised their talent, they decided to turn fun into profit. To make themselves known, Playday volunteered to entertain at parties. They played for free at school get-togethers. Mike loved the applause! He felt like a superstar. They practiced hard and discussed young musicians who had vaulted into prominence.

“The Jackson Five were kids,” John said. “Michael shot to fame like a rocket!” He exclaimed. “We can do it!” Mike encouraged the group.

After months of keeping Spirits high, Mike was tired. They haven’t seen even a cent. Let alone making a killing. Everyone was in low spirits. They decided to break up after one final volunteer job. The next day, they were to perform for patients at the Children’s Hospital where Mike’s mother worked as a nurse.

The next day the three young guys set up in the hospital lobby, and the nurses brought in the audience. As Playday began its number, Mike could feel their lack of spirit. Then Mike spotted one patient sitting limply in her wheelchair. Her expression was vacant, but when music filled the room, this rag doll came to life. She sat up straight, and the light that shone in her eyes lighted up something in Mike. He felt the thrill he’d been missing. As Mike’s playing caught fire, James and John gained energy. Soon, Playday was rocking as never before.

After the performance, the three guys spent time with the patients. Mike spoke to the girl who had encouraged him to play so well. “Wouldn’t it feel great to be rich and famous?” she asked, eyes still bright. “Will you be a rock star?” “Probably not,” Mike answered. “But I’ll never give up my music. I felt like the big time playing for you!”

1.The underlined phrase “had vaulted into prominence” most likely means         .

A.had grown into adults B.had made a promise

C.had played The Jackson Five D.had become successful

2.The members of Playboy were tired and depressed because they _______.

A.had no offer of a paying performance B.competed cruelly with other bands

C.called an end to the band D.performed at the Children's Hospital

3.While performing at the Children's Hospital, Mike became inspired because _______.

A.his guitar caught fire B.a girl took him as a rock star

C.a patient was much cheered up D.a toy doll suddenly became alive

4.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

A.Mike, John and James got to know each other as they were relatives.

B.They planned to make money when they had a big fan base.

C.Their wonderful performance at Children’s Hospital cured the girl of her disease.

D.Mike found out the enjoyment of volunteer performance after playing at the hospital.

Answer

1.D

2.A

3.C

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇记叙文。文章主要记叙了Mike，John和James组成的乐队Playday，一直没有得到有薪水的工作，最后他们在一次医院的志愿表演活动中找到了志愿者表演乐趣的故事。

1.

词义猜测题。根据第四段中“The Jackson Five were kids,” John said. “Michael shot to fame like a rocket!”可知，“The Jackson Five还是孩子，”John说。“Michael像火箭一样一夜成名！”由此可知，他们刻苦练习，讨论那些已经获得了成功的年轻音乐家们，如The Jackson Five。划线短语意思为“已经成功”。故选D。

2.

细节理解题。根据第五段中They haven’t seen even a cent. Let alone making a killing. Everyone was in low spirits.可知，他们一分钱都没见过，更不用说大赚一笔了。每个人都情绪低落。由此可知，Playday的成员们又累又沮丧是因为他们演出没有获得报酬。故选A。

3.

细节理解题。根据倒数第二段中She sat up straight, and the light that shone in her eyes lighted up something in Mike. He felt the thrill he’d been missing. As Mike’s playing caught fire, James and John gained energy.可知，她坐直了身子，她眼中的光芒照亮了迈克身上的某种东西。他感到了他一直在想念的那种兴奋。Mike的演奏燃起了火焰，James和John获得了能量。由此可知，在儿童医院的表演让一位病人很高兴，这让Mike受到了鼓舞。故选C。

4.

细节理解题。根据倒数第二段中As Mike’s playing caught fire, James and John gained energy. Soon, Playday was rocking as never before.可知，Mike的演奏燃起了火焰，James和John获得了能量。很快，Playday就变得前所未有的热闹起来。由此可知，D选项“Mike在医院演奏后发现了志愿者表演的乐趣”正确。故选D。