When The New Republic magazine predicted who would win the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature on Oct. 6th, it said, “Not Bob Dylan. That's for sure.” However, the award came as a surprise to many. On Oct. 13th, the famous US musician was named the Nobel laureate (获奖者) by the Swedish Academy. He has created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition, according to the organization.
Although Dylan, 75, is not really thought to be a literary writer, he has given the world a lot of creative works over 50 years, especially when it comes to his folk songs.
In his 1985 album Biograph, Dylan wrote about the appeal of folk music to him. Rock songs weren't serious enough or didn't reflect life in a realistic way, according to Dylan. But folk was a more serious type of thing. The songs are filled with more sadness, more joy and much deeper feelings.
Dylan's music and lyrics spoke to many people during the 1960s. His lyrics were often about great political issues, such as the Civil Rights Movement. The 1960s was a time of change when the young were making sure that their voices were heard. The idea is most famously expressed in Dylan's The Times They Are aChangin' (1964), which warns the world, “You'd better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone, for the times they are achangin'！”
There were complaints that a literary prize had been given to a singer, but ancient Greek poets Homer and Sappho wrote poetic works that were meant to be listened to, that were meant to be performed, often with instruments, and it's the same way with Dylan, the Swedish Academy's permanent secretary Sara Danius told CNN.
It could even be said that giving the important prize to Dylan has brought back an old literary tradition. The millions whose lives Dylan's words and music have changed will surely welcome the award.
语篇解读：本文主要介绍了2016年诺贝尔文学奖获得者Bob Dylan的相关故事。
1．Why did people feel surprised when Dylan got the Nobel Prize?
A．Because he was not excellent.
B．Because people didn't think he was a literary writer.
C．Because he was only interested in singing folk songs.
D．Because people didn't believe in him.
解析：选B 细节理解题。根据第二段可知，人们认为Dylan不是文学作家，因此认为他不大可能得奖。
2．What can we learn from the text?
A．Folk music reflects a real life.
B．Songwriters shouldn't get the prize.
C．People like rock music more.
D．Dylan is a very serious person.
解析：选A 推理判断题。根据第三段和第四段的内容可推知，仿民歌歌曲与摇滚乐形成对比，反映了真实的生活。
3．From Dylan's writing, we know he cares more about ________.
A．music B．his voice
C．politics D．change
解析：选C 细节理解题。根据第四段第二句“His lyrics were often about great political issues, such as the Civil Rights Movement”可知，Dylan的作品大多关乎政治事件，因此，Dylan很关心政治。
4．According to Sara Danius, ________.
A．Dylan is worth the prize
B．Sappho should get the prize
C．the Academy is worth the prize
D．Homer should win the prize
解析：选A 推理判断题。根据文章倒数第二段的整体内容可推知，Sara Danius认为Dylan获得诺贝尔奖是实至名归。
