A
Asked to picture an electric guitar，most people will immediately bring to mind Leo Fender's most famous model—the Stratocaster.Upon its introduction in 1954，the Stratocaster not only redefined(重新定义) the sound of American music，but also immediately became an astonishing piece of design.Many musicians found Fender's first model，the Telecaster，clumsy，so he simply improved the instrument，making its shape fit a player's body.For Fender，form followed function as naturally as morning followed night.
You can learn more about electric guitars from The Birth of Loud.Ian S．Port's book is a vivid account of the careers of Fender and his main competition，Les Paul，the star guitarist.The book explores the two men's rise with extraordinary skills and authority.
Although they would be forever linked in their fame，they were in many ways opposites.Fender was silent and could often be found working in his laboratory until late at night，while Paul was a showman，a musical and technical whiz(奇才) who was one of the biggest stars before the age of rock'n'roll pop.What they shared was that they both dared to try out crazy ideas.They were“untrained men who could build or fix almost anything”，Port observes.
This book reflects Port's ability to marry an anecdotal writing style to a musician's ear.Describing sound is extraordinarily difficult.I myself have played electric guitars designed by Fender and Paul for many years，and Port's descriptions of their different sounds are the most accurate I have ever read.Port's writing skills are shown clearly when he describes Hendrix's famous performance of“The StarSpangled Banner”at Woodstock in 1969，which pushed rock guitar playing to a height it may never again reach.Port wisely ends his book here.The story of these instruments is the story of America from 1945 to the 1960s：loud，cocky(自大的)，aggressively new.
【语篇解读】 语篇类型是说明文，主题语境是人与社会之文学、艺术与体育。本文是一篇书评，此书主要介绍了电吉他发明和推广的两大功臣。而作者赞美了书籍作者的写作技巧和在音乐方面的专业性。
1．What is Stratocaster famous for?
A．Its main functions.
B．Its wide application.
C．Its professional designer.
D．Its unique sound and form.
D [推理判断题。根据第一段的“the Stratocaster not only redefined the sound of American music，but also immediately became an astonishing piece of design”以及下文描述的Stratocaster是Fender将原有的电吉他的外形进行了改进后制造出来的情况可知，Stratocaster的音色不仅重新定义了美国音乐，它本身也是一件令人吃惊的设计品。可见它是因其独特的声音和外形而闻名的。]
2．What similarity did Fender and Paul share?
A．Having a bright personality.
B．Earning a reputation as a pop star.
C．Being ready to put ideas into practice.
D．Concentrating on rock'n'roll all their life.
C [细节理解题。根据第三段的“What they shared was that they both dared to try out crazy ideas.They were‘untrained men who could build or fix almost anything’，Port observes”可知，Fender和Paul都是乐于将想法付诸实践的人。]
3．Which is a distinguishing feature of the book according to the author?
A．It combines music with history.
B．It records the birth of rock music.
C．It shows professional knowledge.
D．It focuses on events rather than persons.
C [推理判断题。根据最后一段的“This book reflects Port's ability to marry an anecdotal writing style to a musician's ear”和“Port's descriptions of their different sounds are the most accurate I have ever read”可知，Port在这本书中能够精准地描述相关的音乐知识，作为熟悉电吉他的作者也称赞Port在书中所展现的专业知识。]
4．What is the text meant to do?
A．Recommend a good book.
B．Spread electric guitars.
C．Advocate rock'n'roll.
D．Honor two musicians.
A [推理判断题。阅读全文可知，本文是一篇书评。首段通过讨论人们常见的电吉他形象引出话题，第二段简要介绍书的作者和内容，第三段又回到书中主要呈现的人物，最后一段从写作风格和专业性上赞扬了这本书。由此推知，此文的主要目的是为了推荐这本书。]
