Question

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     What do you know about the music called "the blues"? Do you think it is the same things as jazz? Well, in
some ways the two types of music are related, but the blues has its own history and development that is quite
different from that of jazz.
     The beginnings of the blues date back to the nineteenth century. After the Civil War, when the slaves were
free in the South, life was hard. As African Americans came together and formed their own communities, the
blues began to develop out of some of their earlier music. Songs usually expressed the feelings of their
composers (作曲家) and many were about the difficult times.
     Some people say Mississippi was the birthplace of the blues, but early blues singers were also found in
Texas, Alabama, and several other Southern states. As time passed, the blues moved north. Chicago became
an important blues center.
     What does the blues sound like? Stringed instruments, especially the guitar, are important in blues playing.
A piano is also often used. Piano players frequently get the sound they want by"crushing(擠壓)" the keys, or
playing two notes not quite at the same time. Many blues songs are built around three grouped lines. The first
two lines are repeated, and then the third line is a sort of comment.
     Who were some legendary blues figures? Bessie Smith was an early female singer; Robert Johnson became
famous for his special way of playing music. Later blues greats, such as Muddy Waters, had a direct influence
on such groups as the Rolling Stones-in fact, until his death the Stones visited Muddy Waters whenever they
played in Chicago.

1. What did the blues develop from?

A. The Civil War.
B. Slaves' life.
C. African American music.
D. Composers' feelings.

2. Which place is a center for the blues?

A. Mississippi.
B. Texas. C. Alabama.
D. Chicago.

3. The underlined word "legendary" in the last paragraph probably means ______.

A. untrue
B. very famous
C. very loud
D. large

4. What is the passage mainly about?

A. The birthplace of the blues.
B. The development of the blues.
C. How the blues and jazz are similar.
D. Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters.

Answer 1

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