A
Attending a live musical performance in a huge sports center with lots of supporters of the musician is exciting. Even in a theatre, a skilled performer can provide a great show. Here in the U.S., a very different kind of performance space is gaining popularity.
Singer-songwriter Annalise Emerick is getting ready to play a show. It is something she does most nights in bars, and other small spaces across the country. But tonight, the setting is even smaller. Ms. Emerick will play for a few people in Kristina Shulz's home.
Ms. Shulz has been holding such performances in her home for about four years. As many as 30 people have attended past shows. The crowd is usually a mix of family, friends and neighbors. But some strangers might show up, too. The performances are listed on house concert websites. “We've done rock, we've had blues, we've had pop, folk...pretty much anything...anything we'll have here, ” she said.
House concerts have become an important part of Annalise Emerick's earnings. “I can play a bar for 100 dollars, but I can play a house concert and if there are 50 people and they all paying $20 I'm having a great night. And they're all buying CDs. It's amazing. ”
Ms. Emerick says house concert audiences tend to make more supportive fans. They follow her career, buy her new releases, and go to her shows when she is in town.
“There's just a totally unique experience as opposed to playing like a coffee shop or a bar or something like that where people are usually there, but you don't always know if they're there for you. ”
Charlie Dahan teaches music management courses. He used to organize shows for artists. Mr. Dahan says house concerts can be financially risky for artists.
“The downside for the artists is that most house concerts don't pay guarantees. In fact, most house concerts by law are not allowed to charge admission. Most of them can only do a suggested donation.” On the other hand, he says house concerts can help fill an artist's performance calendar and build a loyal following.
Annalise Emerick says she has played in some homes so often that the owners have become close friends. And that's been really nice for her.
文章大意:本文是一篇夹叙夹议的文章。文章主要讲述了家庭式音乐会在美国正在变得越来越流行,同时也介绍了一些艺术家对这种形式音乐会的看法。
21.All of the following about the house concerts in Kristina Shulz's home are true EXCEPT D.
A.some strangers might attend the concerts
B.many kinds of music have been played in the concerts
C.the performances are listed on house concert websites
D.the concerts have become an important part of her income
解析:细节理解题。根据文章第四段的“House concerts have become an important part of Annalise Emerick's earnings.”可知,家庭式音乐会已经成为Annalise Emerick收入中重要的一部分。D.the concerts have become an important part of her income,这些音乐会已经成为她(Ms.Shulz)收入的重要部分,不符合以上说法,人称不一致。故选D项。
22.In Charlie Dahan's opinion, house concerts C.
A.should charge admission
B.should do more donations
C.bring uncertain income
D.help artists make friends
解析:推理判断题。根据倒数第三段的“Mr.Dahan says house concerts can be financially risky for artists.(Mr.Dahan说家庭式音乐会对演奏家来说会有经济上的风险。)”可推测,他认为家庭式音乐会的收入不稳定。C.bring uncertain income(带来不稳定的收入)符合以上说法。故选C项。
23.Which of the following is the best title for the passage?B
A.The advantages of house concerts
B.The popularity of house concerts
C.Ways to get royal fans for artists
D.Ways to fill an artist's calendar
解析:标题判断题。根据文章的主要内容,尤其第一段的“Here in the U.S., a very different kind of performance space is gaining popularity.(在美国,有一种类型非常不同的表演地方受到了人们的欢迎。)”可知,本文主要讲述了在美国,家庭式的音乐会正在变得越来越流行。B.The popularity of house concerts(家庭式音乐会的流行)符合以上说法。故选B项。