单选题
Passage Four
We lost two superstars in 1977. Neither man’s admirers have been able to understand the success of the other one. And this tells us something of the difference between the generations that the two singers represent.
There were similarities between Bing Crosby and Elvis Presley. Both reached fame while young and became very rich. Although neither one had any musical education, both developed their own musical styles, which were first criticized by the critics and later studied as new forms in the art of popular song. Both men had successful movie careers despite a total lack of acting ability.
Both were creations of the microphone, which made it possible for singers with weak voices to be heard beyond the third now. With Bing the microphone was usually hidden; but Elvis brought it to the stage.
The difference between the two men reflects the changing values in American life Crosby’s music was soothing( 令人舒畅的) , Presley’s was disturbing. Crosby was singing to wartime America. His audiences had all the disturbance they could handle in their private lives, they did not want to buy more at the record shop and the movie theater.
Crosby’s admires always said how “relaxed” and “natural” he was. When Presley began his career, the whole country had become relaxed and easygoing. Its young people, who had no memory of trouble times, found it boring. They were hungry for excitement. They welcomed Elvis, who was certainly not the kind of young man their parents would admire. Presley was load and vulgar( 粗俗的) —— and be was bringing something new and exciting.
It is probably too simple to explain each man in terms of changes in the economic and political situation. Something in the culture was also changing.
单选题
Which of the following could be inferred about Crosby and Presley?
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[解析] 推理判断题。
[应试指导] 由第一段第一句“We lost two superstars in 1977.”可知,Crosby和Presley都于1977年去世,故选A。
单选题
In which aspect the singers are similar to each other?
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 事实细节题。
[应试指导] 由第二段第三句“Although neither one had any musical education…”可知,他们在音乐方面都没有受过任何正规教育,故选D。
单选题
What did Crosby’s audiences get from his music?
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 推理判断题。
[应试指导] 由第四段第二句“Crosby's music was soothing”以及第五段第一句“Crosby's admirers always said how 'relaxed' and' natural' he was.”可知,人们从Crosby的音乐里可以得到舒适和放松,故选C。
单选题
What is most Presley to be discussed if the passage continues?