2004年10月份托福阅读真题及答案

Part Three Reading
The French word renaissance means rebirth. It was first used in 1855 by the historian
Jules Michelet in his History of France, then adopted by historians of culture, by art
historians, and eventually by music historians, all of whom applied it to European culture
during the 150 years spanning 1450-1600. The concept of rebirth was appropriate to this
period of European history because of the renewed interest in ancient Greek and Roman
culture that began in Italy and then spread throughout Europe. Scholars and artists of the
fifteenth and sixteenth centuries wanted to restore the learning and ideals of the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome. To these scholars this meant a return to human-as
opposed to spiritual-values. Fulfillment in life-as opposed to concern about an afterlife-
became a desirable goal, and expressing the entire range of human emotions and enjoying
the pleasures of the senses were no longer frowned on. Artists and writers now turned to
secular as well as religious subject matter and sought to make their works understandable
and appealing.
These changes in outlook deeply affected the musical culture of the Renaissance
period--how people thought about music as well as the way music was composed,
experienced, discussed, and disseminated. They could see the architectural monuments,
sculptures, plays, and poems that were being rediscovered, but they could not actually
hear ancient music-although they could read the writings of classical philosophers, poets,
essayists, and music theorists that were becoming available in translation. They learned
about the power of ancient music to move the listener and wondered why modern music
did not have the same effect. For example, the influential religious leader Bernardino
Cirillo expressed disappointment with the learned music of his time. He urged musicians
to follow the example of the sculptors, painters, architects, and scholars who had
rediscovered ancient art and literature.
The musical Renaissance in Europe was more a general cultural movement and state
of mind than a specific set of musical techniques. Furthermore, music changed so rapidly
during this century and a half-though at different rates in different countries-that we
cannot define a single Renaissance style.
1. What is the passage mainly about?
   (A) The musical compositions that best illustrate the developments during the European Renaissance
   (B) The musical techniques that were in use during the European Renaissance
   (C) The European Renaissance as a cultural development that included changes in musical style
   (D) The ancient Greek and Roman musical practices used during the European Renaissance
2. What does the author mean by using the word “eventually” in line 3 ?
   (A) That music historians used the term “Renaissance” after the other historians did
   (B) That most music historians used the term “Renaissance”
   (C) The term “Renaissance” became widely used by art historians but not by music historians
   (D) That music historians used the term “Renaissance” very differently than it had been used by Jules Michelet
3. The phrase "frowned on" in line 11 is closest in meaning to
(A) given up
    (B) forgotten about
    (C) argued about
    (D) disapproved of
4. The word“now”in line 11 refers to
(A) tile time of the classical civilizations of Greece and Rome
    (B) the period of the Renaissance
    (C) 1855
    (D) the time at which the author wrote the passage
5. Where in the passage does the author mention where the Renaissance interest in classical ideas first appeared?
    (A) Lines I-4
    (B) Lines 4-6
    (C) Lines 8-9
(D) Lines 11-13
6. It can be inferred from the passage that thinkers of the Renaissance were seeking a rebirth of
    (A) communication among artists across Europe
    (B) spirituality in everyday life
    (C) a cultural emphasis on human values
    (D) religious themes in art that would accompany the traditional secular themes
7. According to the passage, Renaissance artists and writers had all of the following intentions
  EXCEPT
(A) to use religious themes
    (B) to portray only the pleasant parts of human experience
    (C) to produce art that people would find attractive
    (D) to create works that were easily understood
8. The word "disseminated" in line 16 is closest in meaning to
    (A) played
    (B) documented
    (C) spread
(D) analyzed
9. What can be inferred about the music of ancient Greece and Rome?
  (A) It expressed different ideals than classical sculpture, painting and poetry.
    (B) It was played on instruments that are familiar to modern audiences.
    (C) It had the same effect on Renaissance audiences as it had when originally performed.
(D) Its effect on listeners was described in a number of classical texts.
10. According to the passage, why was Bemardino Cirillo disappointed with the music of his time?
(A) it was not complex enough to appeal to musicians.
(B) It had little emotional impact on audiences.
(C) It was too dependent on the art and literature of his time.
(D) It did not contain enough religious themes.