单选题
The worst thing about television and radio is that
they entertain us, saving us the trouble of entertaining ourselves.
A hundred years ago, before all these devices were invented, if a person
wanted to entertain himself with a song or a piece of music, he would have to do
the singing himself or pick up a violin and play it. Now-, all he has to do is
turn on the radio or TV As a result, singing and music have declined.
Italians used to sing all the time. Now, they only do it in Hollywood
movies. Indian movies are mostly a series of songs and dances wrapped around
silly stories. As a result, they don't do much singing in Indian villages
anymore. Indeed, ever since radio first came to life, there has been a terrible
decline in amateur singing throughout the world. There are two
reasons for this sad decline: One, human beings are astonishingly lazy. Put a
lift in a building, and people would rather take it than climb even two flights
of steps. Similarly, invent a machine that sings, and people would rather let
the machine sing than sing themselves. The other reason is people are easily
embarrassed. When there is a famous, talented musician readily available by
pushing a button, which amateur violinist or pianist would want to try to
entertain family or friends by himself ? These earnest
reflections came to me recently when two CDs arrived in the mail: They are
historic recordings of famous writers reading their own works. It was thrilling
to hear the voices from a long dead past in the late 19th century. But today,
reading out loud anything is no longer common. Today, we sing songs to our
children until they are about two, we read simple books to them till they are
about five, and once they have learnt to read themselves, we become deaf. We're
alive only to the sound of the TV and the stereo. I count
myself extremely lucky to have been born before TV became so common. 1 was about
six before TV appeared. To keep us entertained, my mother had to do a good deal
of singing and tell us endless tales. It was the same in many other homes.
People spoke a language; they sang it, they recited it; it was something they
could feel. Professional actors' performance is extraordinarily
revealing. But I still prefer my own reading. Because it's mine. For the same
reason, people find karaoke liberating. It is almost the only electronic thing
that gives them back their own voice. Even if their voices are hoarse and
hopelessly out of tune. At least it is meaningful self-entertainment.
单选题
The main idea of this passage is that ______.
A. TV and radio can amuse us with beautiful songs and music
B. TV and radio have weakened our interest in entertaining ourselves
C. people should not be too lazy or embarrassed to sing
D. parents should sing songs and read books aloud to their
children
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】
单选题
According to the passage, Italians ______.
A. only sing songs in Hollywood
B. are no longer fond of music
C. only sing and dance in villages
D. don't sing much nowadays
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】
单选题
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a reason for the decline in
amateur singing?
A. It is easier for people to please themselves with songs through TV.
B. People don't want to take the trouble to sing songs themselves.
C. Amateurs feel shy if they cannot sing as well as the professionals.
D. Famous and talented musicians are always willing to entertain
people.
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】
单选题
On hearing the voices of the famous writers of a long time past, the
author was ______.
A. very excited
B. very frightened
C. very nervous
D. very surprised
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】
单选题
By stating "We are alive only to the sound of the TV and the stereo",
the author means ______.
A. we come back to life at the music provided by the TV and the stereo
B. we only perceive the music provided by the TV and the stereo
C. we should sing more than listen to the TV and the stereo
D. we should listen to more music on the TV and the stereo
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】
单选题
The author's attitude toward karaoke is ______.