A
Vidal first experienced Brazil’s carnival celebrations as a baby living in Salvador, the capital of Bahia State. Before he was even one year old, his mother took him to his first carnival event.
The cultural traditions of Salvador have stuck with him. And, Vidal, a trained musician, now performs the typical music of Bahia in the U.S. He often plays in the Washington area.
February is the carnival season in Brazil and other countries around the world. Even the Washington area celebrates the season. Last week, Vidal, Brazilian singer-songwriter Cissa Paz and other musicians performed here for a carnival celebration. Performing in Washington and other U.S. cities has helped Vidal and Paz stay close to their Brazilian roots(根).
“Living in the U.S. now and not being able to enjoy carnival as I used to in Brazil with my friends and family is really heartbreaking. And that was the reason why I decided to start making my own events—carnival parties—just to get connected to my roots, to my happiness.”
It may come as a surprise, but Washington is said to have one of the largest followings for Brazilian culture in the U.S. This year alone, there are more than twelve carnival celebrations in the Washington area. Here, the season isn’t celebrated on city streets as in Brazil, where it is warm summer. February is one of Washington’s coldest months.So, the events take place at theatres, restaurants and other places.
Carnival is one of the world’s biggest celebrations. In many countries, activities take place for a few weeks each year and include huge parades(游行) and street parties with live music. Carnival goers wear colourful, themed clothing and masks(面具).
1. What do we know about Vidal from the passage?
A. He didn’t enjoy carnival at first.
B. His mother trained him to be a singer.
C. He encouraged Americans to celebrate carnival.
D. Brazil’s traditional cultures influenced him greatly.
解析：细节理解题。结合第一段中提到的Vidal还不满一岁时,他的妈妈就带他去参加巴西的狂欢节和第二段的第一句“The cultural traditions of Salvador have stuck with him.”可知,Vidal深受巴西传统文化的影响。
答案：D
2. How did Vidal feel during the carnival season in the U.S.?
A. Excited. B. Sad. C. Proud. D. Anxious.
解析：推理判断题。根据第四段可知,在巴西狂欢节期间,身在美国的Vidal不能回国参加庆祝活动,感到非常伤心,他还通过举办狂欢节派对的方式来保持他和故乡的联系。
答案：B
3. Why are the carnival celebrations in Washington held indoors?
A. Because weather conditions are not good.
B. Because American carnivals fall in hot summers.
C. Because they want to make carnivals different.
D. Because few people celebrate carnivals in Washington.
解析：细节理解题。根据倒数第二段的最后两句可知,二月是华盛顿最寒冷的月份之一,因此,狂欢节庆祝活动在室内举办。
答案：A
4. What may be the best title for the passage?
A. Brazilian Musician Lives in America
B. Brazil’s Carnival Comes to Washington
C. Brazil’s Carnival Becomes World-famous
D. People in Washington Love Brazil’s Carnival
解析：主旨大意题。本文通过Vidal的故事讲述了巴西的狂欢节在美国华盛顿越来越流行,故把Brazil’s Carnival Comes to Washington作为标题最为合适。
答案：B
