阅读理解

Let's Talk Music!

Dear Li Ming,

　　Hi, my name is Brianne. I am a friend of Jenny's. Jenny tells me you are thinking about starting guitar lessons. She suggested that I write to you because I have taken many kinds of music lessons. I am happy to talk to you about my favourite topic:music.

　　I am sending the CD of my favourite singer. I hope you enjoy it. I listen to this music every day on the radio and I thought you might like it, too. Bryan Adams is very popular here. Have you ever heard of him? He's great! How about in China? When I take the school bus each day, I like to bring my “Discman” so that I can listen to music while I am going to school. It is important that students be happy on the bus, don't you think? I love many kinds of music and I think music is very important in life.　　Music has been a part of my life since I was young. When I was only four, I started taking violin lessons. We had many music parties and concerts. Then as I got older, I play the piano, and eventually joined the band at school and started playing the saxophone. That's when I learned to appreciate jazz music. Now,even though I like listening to popular music, I also love playing music.

　　Once I learned to play sax, and fell in love with jazz music, I wanted to sing. So now I am taking guitar lessons. I absolutely love it! It's easier to sing when you have a guitar to keep you “on key”. I'm surprised at how easy it is. I recommend you start your lessons right away and I'm sure that you will learn very quickly. Someday maybe we will be able to play together. Wouldn't that be fun?

　　Lately, I've been thinking about how important music is. In Canada we sometimes say, “Music is the language of the soul.” I think this is true because when I play music, I can experience emotions and express parts of myself that I can't really talk about in words. Do you know what I mean, Li Ming? Have you ever had this experience? Whether I'm feeling down, or having the best time, music always makes the day better.

　　Actually, I can think of one day, years ago, when music didn't make my day better. I was playing in a piano concert with three of my friends. We were in this fancy hall with a baby grand piano on the stage and two judges sitting in the audience. I was terrified! It was the first time I had to know my song by memory. My first friend went up and played her song; the audience clapped and she returned to her seat. She had played beautifully. My second friend also played well. Then the judges called my name. I had butterflies in my stomach and a lump in my throat as I slowly walked up to the stage. I began to play.

　　About halfway through the song, I completely forgot the notes! I stopped playing, and then started again at the beginning, but when I got to the same place, I forgot the notes again. This time I stopped and looked up at the audience and saw one of the judges slowly walking up to the stage to bring me the music book. I have never been so embar-rassed in all my life! By the way, I didn't win the competition.

　　Whenever I remember this story, I laugh. It doesn't seem so tragic now. Don't let it scare you. Most of my memories of music are good ones, and I don't ever want to stop playing instruments and listening to good music. Pop music, classical music, jazz or even country music, I enjoy them all.

　　So, Li Ming, I strongly recommend that you take the guitar lessons. Please let me know how it turns out. I hope you enjoy this gift of music. I would like to know what you think about music. What kind of music do you listen to?

Your new friend,

Brianne

(1)When Brianne says “when I play music, I can... express parts of myself that I can't really talk about in words,” it means “_____”.

[　　]

A．words are powerless in expressing oneself

B．music is sometimes more expressive and powerful than words

C．I'm a poor writer but a good musician

D．I can't express myself in words but can express myself by playing music

(2)Brianne is a friend of Jenny's. Why did she write a letter to Li Ming?

[　　]

A．She wanted to make friends with her.

B．She wanted to teach her guitar.

C．She wanted to make some suggestions on music lessons.

D．She wanted to think highly of music.

(3)Which of the following statements is TRUE?

[　　]

A．Brianne is a music fan.

B．Brianne doesn't want Li Ming to take the guitar lessons.

C．Music makes Brianne any day better.

D．Brianne gave Li Ming some advice on the guitar lessons.

(4)Why didn't Brianne win the competition?

[　　]

A．She didn't practise a lot.

B．She was too nervous to remember the notes.

C．She didn't know the judges.

D．The music that she played was too difficult.

Red roses were her favorites; her name was also Rose. And every year her husband sent them, tied with pretty bows. The year he died, the roses were delivered to her door. The card said, “Be my Valentine(情人),” like all the years before.

Each year he sent her roses, and the note would always say, “I love you even more this year, than last year on this day. My love for you will always grow, with every passing year.” She knew this was the last time that the roses would appear. She thought, he ordered roses in advance before this day. Her loving husband did not know that he would pass away. He always liked to do things early. Then, if he got too busy, everything would work out fine. She cut away some stems, placed them in a very special vase, and set the vase beside the picture of his smiling face. She would sit for hours in her husband’s favorite chair, staring at his photo and the roses sitting there.

A year went by, and it was hard to live without her mate. Loneliness and solitude had become her fate. Then, the very hour, as on Valentine’s Day before, the doorbell rang, and there were roses, sitting by her door. She brought the roses in, and just looked at them in shock. Then, she went to get the telephone to call the florist(花匠)shop. The owner answered, and she asked him, if he would explain why someone would do this to her, causing her such pain.

“I know your husband passed away, more than a year ago，” the owner said, “I knew you'd call, and you would want to know. The flowers you received today were paid for in advance. Your husband always planned ahead. He left nothing to chance.”

“There is a standing order that I have on file down here. And he has paid, well in advance; you'll get them every year. There is also another thing that I think you should know. He wrote a special little card ... he did this years ago.” “Then, should ever, I find out that he's no longer here. That’s the card ... that should be sent to you the following year.” She thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now flowing hard. Her fingers shaking, she slowly reached to get the card. Inside the card, she saw that he had written her a note. Then, as she stared in total silence, this is what he wrote: “Hello my love, I know it’s been a year since I was gone. I hope it hasn’t been too hard for you to overcome. I know it must be lonely, and the pain is very real. If it was the other way, I know how I would feel. The love we shared made everything so beautiful in life. I loved you more than words can say. You were the perfect wife.”

“You were my friend and lover; you satisfied my every need. I know it’s only been a year, but please try not to grieve. I want you to be happy, even when you shed your tears. That is why the roses will be sent to you for years.”

“When you get these roses, think of all the happiness that we had together, and how both of us were blessed. I have always loved you and I know I always will. But, my love, you must go on; you have some living still.”

“Please ... try to find happiness, while living out your days. I know it is not easy, but I hope you find some ways. The roses will come every year, and they will only stop when your door’s not answered, when the florist stops to knock. He will come five times that day, in case you have gone out. But after his last visit, he will know without a doubt. To take the roses to the place, where I’ve instructed him, and place them where we are, together once again.”

69. How did Rose feel when she received roses a year after her husband’s death?

A. Puzzled and disappointed.             B. Sad and surprised

C. Proud but frightened.                 D. Happy but confused.

70. What can we know about Rose's husband when he was alive?

A. He preferred to make arrangements ahead of time.

B. He knew his wife loved roses more than himself.

C. He gave his wife a pleasant surprise every Valentine’s Day.

D. He was so busy that he had to order roses in advance each year.

71. The underlined word “grieve” (Paragraph 7) is closest in meaning to_______

A. kill yourself         B. marry again       C. feel deeply sad       D. buy roses

72. It can be inferred from the last paragraph that_______

A. roses won't be delivered anywhere if no one answers the door

B. Rose won’t be able to get through the difficult days without her husband

C. sometimes the florist comes five times a day to check whether Rose is out

D. someday roses will be sent where Rose and her husband are buried

73. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

A. An Unexpected Gift                  B. Be My Valentine

C. Roses for Rose                      D. A Loving Couple