A
In many respects one could call John Beltzer the world's most successful songwriter. Every song that he writes is guaranteed to be a real hit not on the popularity charts, but in a child’s heart. The reason for this is that every song that Beltzer writes is for a seriously ill child. The songs never fail to make the children smile and to raise their spirits. They also play them over and over. This means more by far to Beltzer than being ranked high on the popularity charts.
Thirty-eight year old Beltzer is the founder and president of Songs of Love, a nonprofit group. This group combines the volunteer efforts of musicians, songwriters, singers, and studio technicians to create unique, happy songs that reflect a child's personality.
Beltzer believes that music is very healing. When an adult listens to a favorite song. it makes him feel good: thus when a little child listens to a song written just for him, the result is very uplifting. Since its founding in 1996, Songs of Love has been responsible for the composition, taping and sending more than 780 songs to children in life-threatening conditions, all for free.
Unmarried with no children of his own, Beltzer had never thought much about writing songs for children. He says that one day while he was walking down the street the idea came to him and he instantly felt that he could make a success of it. He went home and called St Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. He told them he wanted to write songs for seriously ill children, and wrote six songs in four days. Upon receiving the songs, the hospital called him with high praise. Soon after that the mother of a little girl with cancer called him to thank him and then the little girl herself did so. At that point he knew that this was his"calling”.
As is true with most charitable ventures, Songs of Love is almost always in need of money. To help in this respect, Beltzer has moved back home to live with his retired parents, who also help support his work. His long-term goal is to offer Songs of Love to patients of all ages, including nursing home residents and the mentally ill. Among other efforts to raise money, Beltzer sells CDs and tapes, expecting much bigger sales. Meanwhile, Beltzer himself continues to be the most productive writer in Songs of Love, making sure that all requests for songs written for critically ill children will be met.
1. Why is John Beltzer, to some extent, called the world's most successful songwriter?
A. Every song he composes tends to be a hit.
B. All songs are played over and over again.
C. His songs are intended specially for those unlucky children.
D. He as well as his songs always enjoys a grand popularity.
2. Which word can replace the underlined word"uplifting"in paragraph 37
A. Satisfactory. B. Adequate
C. Inspirational D. Appropriate
3. What can we infer from the whole passage?
A. Beltzer had had the idea of writing songs for seriously ill children long before actually doing so.
B. The hospital in Tennessee didn't respond to Beltzer's request immediately and positively.
C. Song writing is the only source of income for Songs of Love.
D. Running charitable activities makes Beltzer's finance really tight.
4. Which of the following words can best describe John Beltzer?
A. Social and intelligent. B. Compassionate and considerate.
C. Conventional and patient. D. Confident and ambitious.
【答案】1. C 2. C 3. D 4. B
【解析】
【分析】这是一篇记叙文。38岁的Beltzer是非营利组织“爱之歌”的创始人和主席，他写的每首歌都是写给重病儿童的，受到孩子们的热烈欢迎。文章讲述了Beltzer的故事。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段第二句和第三句“Every song that he writes is guaranteed to be a real hit not on the popularity charts, but in a child’s heart. The reason for this is that every song that Beltzer writes is for a seriously ill child. ”(他写的每首歌都保证会成为真正的热门，不是在流行排行榜上，而是在孩子们的心中。原因是，Beltzer写的每首歌都是写给重病儿童的。)可知，因为他的歌是专门为那些不幸的孩子们写的，所以John Beltzer在某种程度上被称为世界上最成功的作曲家。故选C。
【2题详解】
词句猜测题。根据第三段第一句“Beltzer believes that music is very healing.”(贝尔茨认为音乐具有治愈作用。)和第二句“When an adult listens to a favorite song. it makes him feel good”(当一个成年人听喜欢的歌曲。这让他感觉很好)可知，此处是指小孩子听到专门为自己写的歌曲，结果是令人振奋的。所以uplifting意为 “令人振奋的”。故选C。
【3题详解】
推理判断题。根据最后一段第一句和第二句“As is true with most charitable ventures, Songs of Love is almost always in need of money. To help in this respect, Beltzer has moved back home to live with his retired parents, who also help support his work.”(正如大多数慈善事业一样，“爱之歌”几乎总是需要钱。在这方面，Beltzer搬回家和他退休的父母住在一起，他们也帮助支持他的工作。)可知，经营慈善活动使Beltzer的财政非常紧张。故选D。
【4题详解】
推理判断题。根据第二段第一句“Thirty-eight year old Beltzer is the founder and president of Songs of Love, a nonprofit group.”(38岁的Beltzer是非营利组织“爱之歌”的创始人和主席。)可知，Beltzer经营着为不幸的孩子写歌的非营利组织，所以他很有同情心，根据最后一段第三句 “His long-term goal is to offer Songs of Love to patients of all ages, including nursing home residents and the mentally ill.”(他的长期目标是把“爱之歌”献给所有年龄段的病人，包括疗养院的居民和精神病患者。)可知，Beltzer不仅关心重病的孩子，也关心所有年龄段的病人，所以他是一个很体贴的人。故选B。
