单选题

A、 The replacement of the harpsichord by the piano.
B、 The development of electronic musical instruments.
C、 The relative costs of different types of musical instruments.
D、 The performance of classical music on synthesizers.

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】[听力原文]
We are rapidly nearing the end of this course in the history of classical music. We have covered several centuries in a very short time. Much too short to do the music justice, of course, but then this is a survey course. From now until the end of the term, we"ll be talking about and listening to electronic music. You probably already know it was in the 1930"s that musical computers and synthesizers first appeared in universities. The first commercial synthesizers were sold about this time, too. The sophistication and complexity of these instruments has now increased to the point that they can produce almost any kind of sound. Some alarmists believe these new instruments will bring an end to classical music or they"ve already have. You know I don"t share this view, though I agree we are in the midst of a revolution in instrument design. This, however, is not the first such revolution in musical history and probably not the last one either. Remember we"ve already studied a similar case in the early nineteenth century when the piano replaced the harpsichord and modem brass and wind instruments came into being.
One of the most important reasons for the great popularity of electronic instruments is of course their relatively cheap price. Well, just look at it. Only about 400 dollars for an electronic keyboard compared to nearly 3,000 dollars for a piano. Naturally, this has done a lot to increase sales of electronic instruments. But I don"t think even the most ardent supporters of electronic instruments expect them to completely replace acoustic instruments.

What is the speaker"s main topic?

[解析] 纵观全文，主题是电子乐器的发展。

A、 At the beginning.
B、 In the middle.
C、 Near the end.
D、 Just after the end.

【正确答案】 C

【答案解析】[听力原文]
At what point in the semester is this talk being given?

[解析] 从“We are rapidly nearing the end of this course in the history of classical music. ”可知。

A、 He is surprised by it.
B、 He disagrees with it.
C、 He thinks it is too soon to tell.
D、 He is alarmed by it.

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】[听力原文]
What is the speaker"s opinion of the idea that electronic instruments will destroy classical music?

[解析] 从“You know I don"t share this view, though I agree we are in the midst of a revolution in instrument design. ”可知讲演者不同意这个观点。

A、 In the early nineteenth century.
B、 In the late nineteenth century.
C、 In the early twentieth century.
D、 In the mid-twentieth century.

【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】[听力原文]
When does the speaker say that another significant change in instrument design took place?

[解析] 由“Remember we"ve already studied a similar case in the early nineteenth century when the piano replaced the harpsichord”可知是在19世纪早期。

A、 The electronic instrument is much more expensive.
B、 The electronic instrument is slightly more expensive.
C、 The piano is slightly more expensive.
D、 The piano is much more expensive.

【正确答案】 D

【答案解析】[听力原文]
According to the speaker, how does the price of the electronic keyboard compared with the price of the piano?

[解析] 文中说“Only about 400 dollars for an electronic keyboard compared to nearly 3000 dollars for a piano. ”，很显然，钢琴比电子琴贵很多。