Question

    Vijay Gupta is known to classical music lovers across the United States. He serves as first violinist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. In that job, he often plays to large crowds, including many very rich people. When he is not performing, he organizes concerts for homeless people. 'They have reminded me why I became a musician, he said.

Last week, Gupta was recognized for being a founder and the artistic director of Street Symphony. The group has performed at homeless shelters, jails and halfway houses for about eight years. Gupta is among the 25 winners of the 2018 MacArthur Fellowship, commonly known as the “genius grant.” Each winner will receive $625,000 over five years to use as they wish. The money is coming from a private group, the John D. and Katherine T. MacArthur Foundation. It awards grants (补助金)to people whose work it considers exceptional and that “inspires hope in us all.” Gupta said he got the idea for Street Symphony while teaching Nathaniel Ayers, a trained musician whose mental illness led to homelessness.

The 31-year-old grant winner said he does not know yet how he will spend the money. He has been a performer since age seven and the award will give him "space to breathe, plan and look ahead.”

Another winner is Rebecca Sandefur, an associate professor of sociology and law in the University of Illinois. The Associated Press says her research actively supports new ways to involve poor communities in the U.S. justice system.

47-year-old Sandefur created the first national mapping of civil legal aid providers. It shows which states had the financial resources to provide such aid and which did not. She also found that the cost of legal services is only one of the things preventing poor people from getting lawyers. Among the others are fears about unfairness in the legal system. Sandefur noted that a lot of attention has been paid to problems with the criminal justice system, but more attention must be paid to the civil side of the law, which also affects millions of people.

1.Why did Gupta win the award?

A.For his achievements in classical music.

B.For performing for large crowds.

C.For organizing a group playing for the homeless.

D.For the friendship with Nathaniel Ayers.

2.What do we know about Mac Arthur Fellowship?

A.It is founded by the government.

B.It offers $625,000 to 25 winners in 2018.

C.It allows the winners to use the money freely.

D.It awards people who make great contributions to society.

3.What was the extraordinary thing that Sandefiir did?

A.She made it easier to get legal help for the poor.

B.She made the legal system fairer.

C.She paid more attention to the criminal justice system.

D.She offered legal aids to the poor freely.

4.Which can be the best title for the passage?

A.Grants winners, inspiring the poor

B.The city homeless, in need of help

C.Vijay Gupta , an extraordinary violinist

D.MacArthur Foundation, awarding exceptional work

Answer

1.C

2.C

3.A

4.A

【解析】

本文是一篇记叙文，主要讲述了美国两位麦克阿瑟奖学金的获奖者Gupta和Sandefiir分别通过为流浪者演奏音乐和为穷人争取法律援助而激励穷人的故事。

1.细节理解题。根据第二段中的“The group has performed at homeless shelters, jails and halfway houses for about eight years.”可知，Gupta获得该奖是因为他组织的街道交响乐团为流浪者演奏音乐，故C项正确。

2.细节理解题。根据第二段中的“Each winner will receive $625,000 over five years to use as they wish.”可知，获奖者将在五年内获得625,000美元的奖金，供其随意使用，故C项正确。

3.细节理解题。根据倒数第二段中的“The Associated Press says her research actively supports new ways to involve poor communities in the U.S. justice system.”可知，美联社称，Sandefiir的研究为贫困地区参与美国司法系统提供了新途径，由此可知，Sandefiir使穷人更容易获得法律援助，故A项正确。

4.主旨大意题。通读全文可知，本文主要讲述了美国两位麦克阿瑟奖学金的获奖者Gupta和Sandefiir分别通过为流浪者演奏音乐和为穷人争取法律援助而激励穷人的故事，故A项正确。