Beethoven, a famous musician in the world, was born in Germany in 1770. In his childhood Beethoven
didn't have a happy life. His father was a singer. When he was only four, his father began to make him
practise hour after hour on different musical instruments. If he did not put his heart into it, his father would
beat him or make it hard on him.
    Beethoven loved music and he learned so fast that he was able to go around to give concerts, when he
was only a boy of eleven. At the age of seventeen, he won high praise from Mozart, the great musician at
that time.
    Beethoven was often poor and ill during his life. After one illness, he suddenly found himself deaf (聾).
At that time he was only thirty-one. It was a blow (打擊) to him indeed.
    But he still went on working and writing music pieces. To people's surprise, some of his best pieces
were written after he lost his hearing.
    In 1827, leaving more than 300 pieces, the great musician died. But his name is still remembered to this
day.

1. Beethoven was a _____ musician.

A. America
B. French
C. German
D. British

2. What happened when he was thirty-one?

A. He was blind
B. He was deaf
C. He gave concerts
D. He won high praise

3. Why didn't Beethoven have a happy life in his childhood?

A. Because his family was poor
B. Because he had to practise a lot of musical instruments
C. Because his father was strict with him
D. Both B and C

4. The great musician lived in the world for only _____ years.

A. 43
B. 70
C. 57
D. 60

5. When were some of his best pieces written?

A. At the age of 11
B. At the age of 17
C. Before he was deaf
D. After he became deaf