Passage Four

　　We lost two superstars in 1977. Neither man’s admirers have been able to understand the success of the other one. And this tells us something of the difference between the generations that the two singers represent.

　　There were similarities between Bing Crosby and Elvis Presley. Both reached fame while young and became very rich. Although neither one had any musical education, both developed their own musical styles, which were first criticized by the critics and later studied as new forms in the art of popular song. Both men had successful movie careers despite a total lack of acting ability.

　　Both were creations of the microphone, which made it possible for singers with weak voices to be heard beyond the third now. With Bing the microphone was usually hidden; but Elvis brought it to the stage.

　　The difference between the two men reflects the changing values in American life Crosby’s music was soothing( 令人舒暢的) , Presley’s was disturbing. Crosby was singing to wartime America. His audiences had all the disturbance they could handle in their private lives, they did not want to buy more at the record shop and the movie theater.

　　Crosby’s admires always said how “relaxed” and “natural” he was. When Presley began his career, the whole country had become relaxed and easygoing. Its young people, who had no memory of trouble times, found it boring. They were hungry for excitement. They welcomed Elvis, who was certainly not the kind of young man their parents would admire. Presley was load and vulgar( 粗俗的) —— and be was bringing something new and exciting.

　　It is probably too simple to explain each man in terms of changes in the economic and political situation. Something in the culture was also changing.

　　48、Which of the following could be inferred about Crosby and Presley?

　　A. They died in the same year.

　　B. They became popular in 1977

　　C. They influenced each other in music

　　D. They represented the postwar generation

　　49、 In which aspect the singers are similar to each other?

　　A. Their songs were widely used in movies

　　B. They became famous in late year of their lives

　　C. Their musical styles are recognized by the critics

　　D. Neither of them received any formal musical education

　　50、What did Crosby’s audiences get from his music?

　　A. Excitement B. Disturbance C. Ease and comfort D. Passion and thrill

　　51、What is most Presley to be discussed if the passage continues?

　　A. The political situation that the two singers faced

　　B. The cultural changes that the two singers experienced

　　C. The economic influence on the music of the two singers

　　D. The message that the two singers expressed in their music

　　Passage Five

　　There are millions of left-handed people in the world. A number of them got together in 1975 to form an association called Left-handers International. The purpose of the organization is to fight discrimination (particularly to jobs) and to inform the public. They want everybody to understand the left-handers are neither “strange” nor sick nor dangerous.

　　Many studies have been made recently about hand preference in humans. They have brought interesting results. It has been found, for instance, that many more men than women are left-handed; that all children use both hands about equally until they are three years old; and that hand preference is not clearly marked until age six. Above that age, most people not only favour one particular hand but also have a favourite eye, a favourite ear and foot.

　　We know that the left side of the body is controlled by the right side of the brain, which seems that this particular half is the seat of emotions, imagination, and of the sense of space. And, indeed, lefties in seem to be more creative than the right-handers; they also seem to be more athletic and to do better in some professions which ---like sports----require a good sense of space. In a large school of architecture , it was found in 1977 that 29% of the professes and 23% of the graduating students were left-handed---while lefties represent less than 10% of the general population.

　　Finally, left-handers may be more stubborn and impulsive( 沖動(dòng)的) than right-handers. And they are more likely to suffer from problems such as stuttering( 口吃) and a difficulty in reading called dyslexia. The problems are more serious in left-handed persons who have been forced to favour their right hand. Doctors insist that one should never try to change a child’s hand preference.

　　52、What does Left-handers International aim to do for left-handers?

　　A. To create new jobs B. To promote equality

　　C. To show discrimination D. To study hand preference

　　53、According to recent studies, when is hand preference formed?

　　A. Before birth B. At birth

　　C. At age three D. At age six

　　54、Compared with right-handers, left-handers______

　　A. are less creative B. are more easygoing

　　C. have a better sense of space D. do better in most professions

　　55、Left-handers are advised to stick to their hand preference because_____

　　A. it is fun and comfortable to be left-handers

　　B. the left hand is just as good as the right hand

　　C. it is difficult for them to switch to the right hand

　　D. changing hand preference may cause serious problems