英语六级阅读精选练习：以音乐作武器

　　Ludwig Van Beethoven was one of the greatest musicians in the 19 th century. John Lennon was one of the greatest musicians in the 20 th century. Although there is a period of about 200 years between them, they are quite similar in certain ways.

　　Both men expressed the spirit of their time in their music. Beethoven lived in the period of rising capitalism. At that time, people were trying to break the shackles of feudalism , and they were pursuing freedom, equality, and universal love. This social trend, especially the French revolution, greatly inspired Beethoven. His music was very active, passionate, and vigorous. Some of his works praised heroism, some conveyed the love for nature, and some extolled harmony among people. Similarly, Lennon’s music revealed his time. In the 1960s and 1970 s, the youth in America were deeply frustrated by the discrimination and injustice in the society and were longing to build a new one . Most of Lennon’s songs expressed the ideas of the youth. In one of his songs entitled Imagine, he sings,“Imagine all the people , living under peace ”, and“The world will be united together as one”. These words show his anti-war attitude and his hope for peace , and reflect the spirit of the 60s and 70 s.

　　Both men were social rebels to some extent. They refused to bow to social conventions and power. Beethoven was a devoted republican . When Napoleon was in power, who claimed to be a defender of republicanism, Beethoven admired him so much that he dedicated his Symphony No. 3, the theme of which is heroism, to him. But then Napoleon crowned himself and became an emperor. Beethoven was so angry that he openly declared he took back what he had said about Napoleon, regardless of possible persecution. Lennon was also considered a trouble-maker by the authorities because of his support for youth movements. For a time he was not even allowed to give public performances. But he ignored all this and stuck to his belief.

　　阅读自测

　　Ⅰ. Fin d the correct me anings of the words in the left from the right side :

　　1. passionate A. praise somebody or something highly

　　2. dedicate B. discouraged, not satisfied

　　3. frustrated C. caused by or showing strong feelings

　　4. stick to D. not change something; keep to

　　5. extol E. address ( one’s book, a piece of music) to somebody as a way of showing respect

　　Ⅱ. Fill in the blanks :

　　1. At the time of capitalism, people were trying to break the _____________( 枷锁) of feudalism to pursue freedom _____________( 平等) and _____________( 博爱) . 2. In the 60 s and 70s, the youth in America were deeply frustrated by the _____________( 歧 视) and _____________( 不公正) in the society and were longing to build a new one. 3. They refused to bow to social _____________( 习俗) and power and Beethoven was a _____________( 忠实的) republican. 4. But then Napoleon ________( 加冕) himself and became an emperor.

　　参考答案

　　Ⅰ. 1. C 2 . E 3. B 4 . D 5. A

　　Ⅱ. 1. shackles / equality / universal love 2. discrimination / injustice 3. conventions / devoted 4. crowned

　　参考译文

　　以音乐作武器

　　路 德维希· 冯· 贝多芬是18 世纪最伟大的音乐家之一。约翰· 列侬则是20 世纪最 有成就的音乐家之一。尽管两人相距近两百年, 但是他们在某些方面却极其相似。

　　贝多芬和列侬都在音乐中表达各自的时代精神。贝多芬生活在资本主义崛起之时。 那时, 人们正试图打破封建主义的枷锁, 追求自由、平等和博爱。这种社会趋势, 特别是法 国大革命, 给了他极大的启发。贝多芬的音乐非常积极向上、热情激昂、气势磅礴。他的音 乐作品有的赞美英雄主义, 有的表达对自然的热爱之情, 还有的歌颂人与人之间的融洽情 感。和贝多芬一样, 列侬的音乐也展示了他生活的那个时代。20 世纪60 年代与70 年代, 美国社会上出现的歧视与不公正现象强烈地打击了青年们, 他们都期望建立新的社会。列 侬的歌曲大多表达了青年的这种思想。他在一首名为《想象》的歌曲中唱道,“ 想象全人类 都生活在和平之中”,“ 世界大同”。这些歌词表达了他的反战情绪以及对和平的向往之 情, 并反射出上世纪60 和70 年代的时代精神。

　　在 一定程度上, 两人都是社会的叛逆者。他们拒绝向社会习俗和权势低头。贝多芬是 个忠实的共和党人。拿破仑当权时曾宣称自己是共和制的捍卫者, 贝多芬非常钦佩他, 就 把歌颂英雄主义的作品《第三交响曲》献给了他。但是不久, 拿破仑就加冕称帝了。贝多 芬异常气愤, 不顾可能遭受的迫害, 公开宣布收回对拿破仑的赞扬。列侬因支持青年运动 也被当权者认定是捣乱分子, 甚至一度遭到封杀, 可他却依然不顾一切地坚持自己的信仰。