1 One of the most interesting and distinctive of all uses of language is commentary. An oral reporting of ongoing activity, commentary is used in such public arenas as political ceremonies, parades, funerals, fashion shows, and cooking demonstrations. The most frequently occurring type of commentary may be that connected with sports and games. In sports there are two kinds of commentary, and both are often used for the same sporting event. "Play-by-play" commentary narrates the sports event, while "color-adding" or "color" commentary provides the audience with pre-event background, during-event interpretation, and post-event evaluation. Color commentary is usually conversational in style and can be a dialogue with two or more commentators. 2 Play-by-play commentary is of interest to linguists because it is unlike other kinds of narrative, which are typically reported in past tense. Play-by-play commentary is reported in present tense. Some examples are "he takes the lead by four" and "she's in position." One linguist characterizes radio play-by-play commentary as "a monologue directed at an unknown, unseen mass audience who voluntarily choose to listen.., and provide no feedback to the speaker." It is these characteristics that make this kind of commentary unlike any other type of speech situation. 3 The chief feature of play-by-play commentary is a highly formulaic style of presentation. There is distinctive grammar not only in the use of the present tense but also in the omission of certain elements of sentence structure. For example, "Smith in close" eliminates the verb, as some newspaper headlines do. Another example is inverted word order, as in "over at third is Johnson." Play-by-play commentary is very fluent, keeping up with the pace of the action. The rate is steady and there is little silence. The structure of the commentary is cyclical, reflecting the way most games consist of recurring sequences of short activities--as in tennis and baseball--or a limited number of activity options--as in the various kinds of football. In racing, the structure is even simpler, with the commentator informing the listener of the varying order of the competitors in a "state of play" summary, which is crucial for listeners or viewers who have just tuned in.
单选题
The word arenas in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】Arenas means settings in this context. Clues: ...such public as political ceremonies, parades, funerals, fashion shows, and cooking demonstrations. Such... as introduces examples of public settings where commentary is used.
单选题
The word background in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】Background means knowledge in this context. Clues: ...provides the audience with.., interpretation... evaluation.
单选题
Which of the following statements is true of color commentary?
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】Clues: ... "color" commentary provides the audience with pre-event background, during--event interpretation, and post-event evaluation.
单选题
How is play-by-play commentary distinct from other types of narrative?
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】Clues: Play-by-play commentary...is unlike other kinds of narrative, which are typically reported in past tense. Play-by-play commentary is reported in present tense.
单选题
Why does the author quote a linguist in paragraph 2?
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】The author's purpose is to describe the uniqueness of radio play-by-play. Clues: It is these characteristics that make this kind of commentary unlike any other type of speech situation.
单选题
All of the following are examples of play-by-play commentary EXCEPT:
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】"He pitched for Chicago" is not an example of play-by-play commentary; rather, it is an example of background information that is part of color commentary. All the other answers are examples of play-by-play commentary: "Junior out of bounds" eliminates the verb; "Straight away it's Owens" has inverted word order and is spoken in present tense; "He can't make the shot" is spoken in present tense.
单选题
The word pace in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】Pace means speed in this context. Clues: ...very fluent, keeping up with the of the action. The rate is steady
单选题
The word crucial in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】Crucial means important in this context. Clues: ... informing the listener...; ... "'state of play '" summary...;...for listeners or viewers who have just tuned in.
单选题
It can be inferred from the passage that the author most likely agrees with which of the following statements about sports commentary?
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】You can infer that the author believes commentary enhances the excitement and enjoyment of sports. Clues: "Play-by-play" commentary narrates the sports event while "color-adding" or "color" commentary provides the audience with... background.., interpretation.., evaluation; Play-by- play commentary is very fluent, keeping up with the pace of the action.