单选题
The French word renaissance means rebirth. It was first used in 1855 by the historian Jules Michelet in his History of France, then adopted by historians of culture, by art historians, and eventually by music historians, all of whom applied it to European culture during the 150 years spanning 1450-1600. The concept of rebirth was appropriate to this period of European history because of the renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman culture that began in Italy and then spread throughout Europe. Scholars and artists of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries wanted to restore the learning and ideals of the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome. To these scholars this meant a return to human—as opposed to spiritual—values. Fulfillment in life—as opposed to concern about an afterlife—became a desirable goal, and expressing the entire range of human emotions and enjoying the pleasures of the senses were no longer frowned on. Artists and writers now turned to secular as well as religious subject matter and sought to make their works understandable and appealing.
These changes in outlook deeply affected the musical culture of the Renaissance period—how people thought about music as well as the way music was composed, experienced, discussed, and
disseminated.
They could see the architectural monuments, sculptures, plays, and poems that were being rediscovered, but they could not actually hear ancient music—although they could read the writings of classical philosophers, poets, essayists, and music theorists that were becoming available in translation. They learned about the power of ancient music to move the listener and wondered why modem music did not have the same effect. For example, the influential religious leader Bernardino Cirillo expressed disappointment with the learned music of his time. He urged musicians to follow the example of the sculptors, painters, architects, and scholars who had rediscovered ancient art and literature.
The musical Renaissance in Europe was more a general cultural movement and state of mind than a specific set of musical techniques. Furthermore, music changed so rapidly during this century and a half-though at different rates in different countries—that we cannot define a single Renaissance style.
单选题
It can be inferred from the passage that thinkers of the Renaissance were seeking a rebirth of ______.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 本题为细节题。根据文章第一段中的“To these scholars this meant a return to human—as opposed to spiritual—values.”可知，对于这些学者而言，文艺复兴是重新恢复人类的价值。C选项“关于人类的价值的文化主张”符合原文意思，因此，C项正确。
单选题
According to the passage, Renaissance artists and writers had all of the following intentions EXCEPT ______.
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] 本题为细节题。根据文中第一段最后一句话“Artists and writers now turned to secular as well as religious subject matter and sought to make their works understandable and appealing.”可知，艺术家和作家现在转向现世和宗教题材，让他们的作品更容易为大众所理解，并打动他们。A、C和D选项均符合原文意思。B选项“仅仅描述人生经历中快乐的部分”原文中并未提及。因此，B项正确。
单选题
The word "disseminated" in line 16 is closest in meaning to "______".
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 本题为词义辨析题。定位至原文第二段第一句话“These changes in outlook deeply affected the musical culture of the Renaissance period—how people thought about music as well as the way music was composed, experienced, discussed, and disseminated.”根据这句话可知，disseminated与前面的composed、experienced和discussed形成并列关系。disseminated这里表示“宣传，传播”，C选项符合这一意思。因此，C项正确。
单选题
Which of the following is mentioned in the passage as a reason for the absence of a single Renaissance musical style?
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 本题为细节题。根据文章最后一段最后一句话“Furthermore, music changed so rapidly during this century and a half-though at different rates in different countries—that we cannot define a single Renaissance style.”可知，音乐变化太快，因此无法准确定义某种单独的文艺复兴式风格的音乐。D选项与原文意思相符。因此，D项正确。