Question

Erhu stars in movies

In the famous film Up in the Air, as George Clooney walks through an airport, audiences can hear the familiar sound of a Chinese musical instrument—erhu. The gentle sound seems to bring a sad and lonely feeling to those who hear it.

Interestingly, erhu is very popular among Hollywood filmmakers. Many music writers,directors and producers feel that this instrument can add color and emotion to their films. In the movie Pirates of the Caribbean , erhu music is heard in Chow Yun-Fat’s scenes. Erhu also appears in Kungfu Panda. When people watch these movies，they also enjoy the special music of erhu.

Erhu is often called Chinese violin, but in many ways they are different. Like the violin,erhu is a stringed instrument made of natural wood and played with a bow,but the violin has four strings and.erhu has only two. While the violin is played horizontally(水平

地），erhu is played vertically(垂直地）.The sounds made by each instrument are different.

In classical Chinese music，erhu is well-known for its sad and blue (not happy) sounds. The most famous piece is Moonlight on Second SfrzVzg* (《二 泉映月》）.It was written by a musician who was born blind, and lived most of his short life as a homeless person.

Erhu is said to date back to the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). In Chinese characters, “Er” means two,because it has two strings； and “hu” means the Western area of China, which is the Silk Road area.

51. In the film Up in the Air, which musical instrument seems to bring a sad and lonely feeling?

52. Erhu is very popular among Hollywood filmmakers, why do many music writers, directors and producers use erhu in many films?

53. In this passage，how many films does erhu appear in?

54. What does the Western area of China mean in this passage?

55. What’s the Chinese meaning for the underlined sentence?

Answer 1

51. Erhu.

52. Because this instrument can add color and emotion.

53. Three.

54. It means the Silk Road area.

55.当人们观看这些电影时，他们同时也欣赏了二胡演奏出的与众不同的音乐。