五、阅读理解
“The Four Seasons”, written by the Italian musician Antonio Vivaldi, was first played about 300 years ago. Till today, it has enjoyed worldwide popularity.
The great musical work includes four parts: “Spring”, “Summer”, “Autumn”, and “Winter”. Each part brings to mind the season it is meant to describe (描绘). “Summer”, for example, begins slowly. Listeners can easily imagine a hot, lazy summer day when nobody wants to move. When you listen to “Autumn”, a harvest celebration will readily come to mind.
But now, Hache Costa, a music director in Spain, has decided to give the old work a fresh feel. He says the climate (气候) today is very different from what it was in the 1700s. “The Four Seasons” would be “a lot dirtier” if it were written now.
Costa has “
updated” the musical work to make it match the realities (现实) of the modern world. The “updated” musical work has been played in Madrid, Spain. The performance takes place in front of a screen (屏幕). As the musicians play, a video shows the effects of climate change, such as forest fires and unusually dry weather.
After enjoying it, people find the new “Summer” now sounds noisier and more powerful. Because of global warming (全球变暖), the other three seasons have become shorter. Costa says he hopes people will feel “really sad” after listening to the new “Four Seasons”.
“I really want more people to become truly aware of what is happening to our planet,” says Costa. “And I believe Vivaldi would not be angry with my changes.”
(
C
) 1. What do we know about “The Four Seasons”?
A. It is unpopular now.
B. It was written by Hache Costa.
C. It was first played about 300 years ago.
D. It is about climate change.
(
B
) 2. What will come to mind when we listen to the old “Autumn” according to the passage?
A. Forest fires and dry weather.
B. A harvest celebration.
C. A hot lazy day.
D. A white world.
(
C
) 3. Which is close in meaning to the underlined word “updated” in Paragraph 4?
A. Made a new plan.
B. Found out the reason.
C. Added new meanings.
D. Fixed the imperfect parts.
(
B
) 4. Why did Hache Costa give the old work a fresh feel?
A. To call on more people to love music.
B. To make people pay attention to climate change.
C. To introduce the story of Antonio Vivaldi’s colourful life.
D. To make the old work attract more youngsters and make more money.
