The Record

1. The Record 1.Background Knowledge 2.Text Analysis 3.Exercises 4.Questions For Discussion

2. Background Knowledge 1. Schumann （舒曼）: Robert Alexander Schumann (1810-1856) was a major German composer, music critic and leader of the romantic movement. His compositions and music journal greatly influenced the music of his time. Though he wrote orchestral and chamber music, he best expressed his ardent romanticism in his piano works and songs. Most of the latter were composed in 1840. Next

3. Background Knowledge 2. Concerto: concerto is a musical composition for one or more solo instruments supported by an orchestra. The three-movement orchestral form was elaborated by Bach（巴赫）. Handel（汉德尔）added the cadenza（装饰乐段）as a regular feature. Mozart set the style for the modern concerto: the orchestra announces an opening subject, then takes a subordinate position when the solo instrument enters, thus establishing the pattern of interchanges. Beethoven added many novel touches to Mozart’s basic form; others including Mendelssohn（门德尔松）and Schumann have developed the concerto, using a wide range of solo instruments. Return

4. Exercises 1. True/False Questions 2. Multiple-choice Questions 3. Translation Return

5. True/False Questions 1. Fred and the author were good friends because they had much in common. 2.It was the admiration for each other that held the friendship between Fred and the author together. 3. The author often tried to get Fred interested in music, but in vain. Answer

6. True/False Questions 1. Fred and the author were good friends because they had much in common. (F) 2.It was the admiration for each other that held the friendship between Fred and the author together. 3. The author often tried to get Fred interested in music, but in vain. Answer

7. True/False Questions 1. Fred and the author were good friends because they had much in common. (F) 2.It was the admiration for each other that held the friendship between Fred and the author together. (T) 3. The author often tried to get Fred interested in music, but in vain. Answer

8. True/False Questions 1. Fred and the author were good friends because they had much in common. (F) 2.It was the admiration for each other that held the friendship between Fred and the author together. (T) 3. The author often tried to get Fred interested in music, but in vain. (T) Next

9. True/False Questions 4.Fred was glad to get the record because he was getting interested in music. 5.Fred gave the author a copy of the little monkey, which he had bought in a shop. 6. The black monkey was made from the melted record. Answer

10. True/False Questions 4.Fred was glad to get the record because he was getting interested in music. (F) 5.Fred gave the author a copy of the little monkey, which he had bought in a shop. 6. The black monkey was made from the melted record. Answer

11. True/False Questions 4.Fred was glad to get the record because he was getting interested in music. (F) 5.Fred gave the author a copy of the little monkey, which he had bought in a shop. (F) 6. The black monkey was made from the melted record. Answer

12. True/False Questions 4.Fred was glad to get the record because he was getting interested in music. (F) 5.Fred gave the author a copy of the little monkey, which he had bought in a shop. (F) 6. The black monkey was made from the melted record. (T) Return

13. Multiple-choice Questions 1. What does the author say about Fred? A) He is easy to get along with. B)He is attractive. C)He is often busy. D) He is always helpful. Answer

14. Multiple-choice Questions 1. What does the author say about Fred? (D) A) He is easy to get along with. B)He is attractive. C)He is often busy. D) He is always helpful. Next

15. Multiple-choice Questions 2.Which of the following is true of Fred? A)He doesn’t like classical music. B)He doesn’t understand much music. C)He has no interest in music at all. D)He doesn’t have time for music. Answer

16. Multiple-choice Questions 2.Which of the following is true of Fred? (C) A)He doesn’t like classical music. B)He doesn’t understand much music. C)He has no interest in music at all. D)He doesn’t have time for music. Next

17. Multiple-choice Questions 3.When they sat together, listening to the record, Fred was thinking of . A)his own business B)his friend’s explanation of music C)the little black statue of monkey on the shelf D)getting a record Answer

18. Multiple-choice Questions 3.When they sat together, listening to the record, Fred was thinking of C. A)his own business B)his friend’s explanation of music C)the little black statue of monkey on the shelf D)getting a record Next

19. Multiple-choice Questions 4.Fred’s eyes had lit up because . A) he had a new idea of making use of the record B)he enjoyed the music very much C)he wanted to take the record with him D) he was eager to listen to the record once more Answer

20. Multiple-choice Questions 4.Fred’s eyes had lit up because A. A) he had a new idea of making use of the record B)he enjoyed the music very much C)he wanted to take the record with him D) he was eager to listen to the record once more Next

21. Multiple-choice Questions 5.In answering the author’s question “Did you enjoy it”, Fred said “Oh, yes … yes.” He meant . A)he enjoyed the music B)he liked the record C)he enjoyed the tea D)he liked the tea things Answer

22. Multiple-choice Questions 5.In answering the author’s question “Did you enjoy it”, Fred said “Oh, yes … yes.” He meant B. A)he enjoyed the music B)he liked the record C)he enjoyed the tea D)he liked the tea things Next

23. Multiple-choice Questions 6.Seeing the little present, the author was . A)ashamed B)excited C)angry D)confused Answer

24. Multiple-choice Questions 6.Seeing the little present, the author was D. A)ashamed B)excited C)angry D)confused Return

25. Translation 1. I have a big collection of records. Answer

26. Translation 1. I have a big collection of records. 我收藏有大量的唱片。 Next

27. Translation 2.I did not want Fred to listen to my remarkable version of it. Answer

28. Translation 2.I did not want Fred to listen to my remarkable version of it. 我并不是叫弗莱德听我的卓越的演唱。 Next

29. Translation 3.His eyes had lit up in a curious way. Answer

30. Translation 3.His eyes had lit up in a curious way. 他好奇似地两眼充满了兴奋的神采。 Next

31. Translation 4.I don’t know what came over me. Answer

32. Translation 4.I don’t know what came over me. 我不知道是什么驱使我。 Next

33. Translation 5.Fred answered with a big smile all over his face. Answer

34. Translation 5.Fred answered with a big smile all over his face. 弗莱德满脸堆笑地答道。 Return

35. Questions for Discussion 1)What kind of man is the author? 2)How do you think the author felt when he was given the “present”? 3) Give your comment on the friendship between Fred and the author. Express your view on friendship. Return

36. Text Analysis The Record People differ greatly in their characters and interests. Is it possible for people with entirely different characters and backgrounds to become great friends? Read the story and find the answer.

37. Text Analysis Fred Ames and I haven’t much in common. I sometimes wonder why we are friends at all. Perhaps it is Fred’s skill as a craftsman that I find so attractive. He’s always busy making things. Everything he makes is so perfect that I sometimes feel a bit jealous of him. If I happen to mention that one of my books is so old and torn that I shall have to throw it away, Fred takes it home with him and returns it a few days later beautifully bound. If I knock over a vase and it is broken into a thousand pieces, Fred puts it together again in such a way that only an expert would see the difference.

38. Text Analysis My trouble is that I’m one of those hopelessly impractical and incurably lazy people. Outside my work at the office (which is dull enough, God knows), the only thing that interests me is listening to classical music. I have a big collection of records and all day long the only thing I can think about is when I am going to get home to listen to a new concerto.

39. Text Analysis I’ve often tried to get Fred interested in music. When I’m in the mood and would like to find someone to talk to (which isn’t often, by the way), I always have Fred with me. I spend hours pointing out the beauties of a certain piece. I look at him as he’s gazing at that little black statue of monkey I keep on the shelf and wonder if he’s heard anything at all. When I look into those big, blue, expressionless eyes of his, I realize that he hasn’t been listening to a word I’ve said. “I’d love to make a copy of that some day,” he says and makes a sign that he is referring to the statue.

40. Text Analysis One Saturday afternoon I came home from work even earlier than usual. Getting home from work is one of the few things I’m good at. It’s certainly the only time I ever hurry. But this day I left the office in an even greater hurry than usual. I had just bought a new recording of Schumann’s piano concerto and I could hardly wait to listen to it.

41. Text Analysis I had already played the record twice over when Fred came in. Perhaps because of the effect the music had on me, I was more than usually pleased to see him. I started talking excitedly about the record: how perfect it was, how marvellous; how he just had to listen to it. He said nothing and after he had sat down, he asked me where the little black monkey had got to. I answered that the cleaner had knocked it off the shelf and I had thrown it away. “What a pity,” Fred exclaimed.

42. Text Analysis After I had put the record on, I left the living-room to make some tea. I gave Fred strictinstructions to listen to the music as I was sure he would like it. It took me some time to get the tea ready, and when I returned with a tray, the second movement had just begun. I immediately started singing loudly and did not stop till the movement had come to an end. Then I remembered that I wanted Fred to listen to the concerto, not to my remarkable version of it, so I kept quiet.

43. Text Analysis Later, when I took the tea things out, I could not help thinking that there had been a different expression on Fred’s face this time. His eyes had lit up in a curious way. He looked as if he had just discovered something. Once he even smiled to himself. He had been listening! I got back to the living-room to find Fred holding the record in his hands. It was so strange to see such a delicate object in his big, rough hands that for a moment I felt like telling him to be careful. But I was too pleased with myself to do that.

44. Text Analysis “Did you enjoy it?” I asked eagerly. “Oh, yes … yes.” he answered vaguely. I don’t know what came over me, but at that moment I said, “Well, you can have it.” Fred was astonished. “What, the record? No, I couldn’t,” he answered, “You’ve only just …” “Go on, take it!” I insisted. “Well, thanks very much. I will.”

45. Text Analysis A few days later Fred arrived with a little box under his arm. He gave it to me smiling as soon as he came in. “A little present,” he said. When I opened it, I was astonished to find an exact copy of the little monkey which my cleaner had broken.

46. Text Analysis “Did you make this, Fred?” I couldn’t believe it and asked. “Yes,” answered Fred simply with a big smile all over his face. “But however did you manage it?” I asked. “Oh, it was quite easy really,” Fred answered. “I got the idea from a magazine. You just melt down an old record and then you can mould it into any shape you like.” Simplified from Essay and Letter Writing, ed., L.G. Alexander, Longman, 1965. Approximately 850 words. Return

47. record [5rekC:d] n. 唱片；录制品=something that records; a disk designed to be played on a phonographe.g. The doctor keeps a record of all the serious illnesses in the village. 这个医生保存了这个村庄所有严重疾病的记录。 Words to Know Return

48. craftsman [ 5krB:ftsmEn ] n. 手艺人，工匠=a man who practices a craft with great skille.g. It took the craftsman 30 years to make this work of art.这个匠人花了三十年来制作这件艺术品。 Words to Know Return

49. attractive [E5trAktIv]adj. 有吸引力的=having the power to attracte.g. I found the little town very attractive.我觉得这个小镇很有吸引力。 Words to Know Return

50. jealous [5dVelEs] adj. 嫉妒的=resentful or bitter in rivalry; enviouse.g. I was jealous of Sarah when she got her new bicycle. 萨拉有了一辆新的自行车，我很羡慕她。 Words to Know Return