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Reading Comprehension
Time: 45 minutes
Part 1
For questions 1-10, read the article about American music and decide which of the items from the list A-H suits the description given in the question. Some of the items may be chosen more than once.
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A time of early settlers B 1700-early 1800s C mid- 19th century D Civil War and after-war period |
E early 20th century F Stephen Foster G Henry Steinweg H Charles Ives |
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He created American songs when European romantic music was widely heard. Who was that? |
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Popularity of the music created by wind instruments was explained by the historic situation of that period and caused appearance of many professionals and beginners. What period was that? |
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The music of that period was both historically conditioned, being used originally by black slaves at work, and historically significant. What period was that? |
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The music of that period was reduced to sacred hymns, the fact that was accounted for by the difficulties of life and situation. What period was that? |
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That period brought great popularity to several types of music especially associated with American nation and culture. What period was that? |
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At that period American music developed due to professional musicians who caused intense interest in romantic musical instruments. What period was that? |
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He was one of those who spread an enthusiasm for the music of his period, because tried out new musical concepts and sounds. Who was that? |
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People of those days preferred sentimental, idealized music from Europe relating to love. What period was that? |
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He contributed to the exceeding development of romanticism through the production of musical instruments. Who was that? |
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At the period prosperous people, seeking for culture, could afford to get music from Europe. What period was that? |
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AMERICA'S MUSIC
Considering the forbidding aspect of their new land, it is not surprising that the music of the early settlers was essentially prayer set to song. The first music published in the Colonies appeared in the 1698 edition of the Bay Psalm Book.
In the early 1700s the well-to-do imported manuscripts of music from Europe to play for dancing and concerts. In the early 1800s more people had time and money for the pursuit of culture, and the music of European courts and concert halls was widely heard.
By the mid- 1800s European romantic melodies were the favorite music. Into this "sea" of romanticism sailed American first great songwriter, Stephen Foster, who became famous in the 1850s for "My Old Kentucky Home" and other "plantation songs", as he called them.
With the wave of German immigration in the mid-19th century came many trained musicians who spread an enthusiasm for that romantic instrument, the piano. The already growing piano business increased tremendously. One of the chief manufacturers was Henry Steinweg, a German immigrant, who changed his name to Steinway.
The Civil War brought martial music, and this music, in its turn, accelerated the development of the bright sound of the brass band, which became one of America's most popular musical institutions for the next half century. Enthusiasm for martial ensembles spread so rapidly that by the turn of the century more than 20000 amateur and professional brass bands were giving regular concerts in towns and villages throughout the country.
At the turn of the 20th century the music most widely representative of this country was gaining a fast-growing audience. This appealing new freewheeling sound was called jazz. Rooted in the field hollers and work songs of the plantations, levees, turpentine camps, and prisons, early jazz and the blues had haunting echoes of an American past. This music, in all its cultural and ethnic permutations, has perhaps done as much to create understanding and respect among all races as any other single force in American history.
The popular song, that tuneful product of Tin Pan Alley, and country Western music are two other American creations that have struck responsive chords around the world.
Until the early 1900s most classical music and most of the conductors and soloists came from Europe. Then a few American musicians, such as Charles Ives and Henry Cowell, began to create new sounds in their own way inspiring interest in contemporary music. Encouraged by outstanding schools of music, this interest has made the United States a leader in musical experimentation and innovation. Classical music composed in the US today is as American as folk music and jazz.
Part 2
For items 11-20 read two texts about face language. Fill the gaps (11-20) in the texts choosing from the list A – L the one which fits each gap. There are two extra sentences which you do not need to use.
FACE EXPRESSIONS
We rely on our facial signals constantly, yet we cannot define them. We are reading a language we cannot articulate and may not consciously notice. Good face-reading can provide an insight into a person’s true feelings. (11) We have twenty-two facial muscles on each side, more than any animal on earth. In common with most muscles, they anchor in bone. (12) These muscles form a complex skein, but some stand in particular. The zygomatic major is the smile-maker. It runs across the cheek to the corner of the mouth, which it pulls upwards. The corrugator knits the eyebrows together, causing vertical furrows in between. (13)
The smile and surprise appear at birth, disgust and distress or sadness between zero and three months, the “social smile” at one and half to three months, anger at three to seven months, and fear at five to nine months. Anger is a dark look of concentration. The eyebrows descent and the lips tighten. An angry face is a warning. Fear has almost the opposite characteristics. (14) Surprise resembles fear and often precedes it. Both the eyes and mouth fly open and the eyebrows rise and arch. Disgust centres on the nose, not otherwise a very expressive facial feature. (15)
What about telling lies? (16) Even individuals one would expect to be skilled – judges, policemen and psychiatrists-fail here and score only slightly above average. Prisoners spot lies fairly well, possibly because they live in a world of deceit and must become adapted.
FACE THE FACTS
When two pedestrian collide, there’s none of that anger we see when motorists cross one another’s path. The experts say that they don’t see aggression when people collide because they’re liable to exchange little signs of apology, which you are unable to do when you’re trapped inside a car. (17) The style of an e-mail is terse but informal, so people get annoyed where no rudeness is intended, because they can’t see the expression on the face of the person they’re communicating with. If they could, the problem would instantly disappear.
(18) The single head nod indicates that the nodder has understood what is being said and wishes to speak. Eye contact is also vital, and we spend up to 75 per cent of the time looking at the person we’re talking to. We can underline the points we are making by raising our eyebrows or pursing our lips. The eyebrows can also be raised in a kind of visual question mark at the end of a sentence.
Most children learn to express themselves naturally through face-to face communication with their parents and their peers. (19) Instead of playing football and fighting, children are spending increasing amount of time in front computers. (20). Without the feedback of another’s emotions, children risk becoming withdrawn and depressed.
TRANSFER ALL YOUR ANSWERS TO YOUR ANSWER SHEET
Participant’s ID number
READING COMPREHENSION
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