Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D to indicate thecorrect word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks.

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)

Beethoven is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in history. He gave his first public (31) ____ as a pianist when he was only 8 years old. He studied in Vienna (32) ____ the guidance of Mozart. By his mid-twenties he (33) ____ a name for himself as a great pianist known for unpredictable and brilliant improvisations. In 1796, Beethoven began losing his hearing. (34) ____ his illness, he involved himself in his work and created some of the greatest works of music. Beethoven's finest works are also the finest works of their kind in music history: the 9th Symphony, the 5th Piano Concerto, the Violin Concerto, the Late Quartets, and his Missa Solemnis. And be achieved all these despite being completely (35) ____ for the last 25 he years or so of his life.

31. A. perform B. performance C. performing D. performer

32. A. on B. for C. behind D. under

33. A. had earned B. earned C. has earned D. was earning

34. A. In case of B. Instead of C. In order to D. In spite of

35. A. deaf B. mute C. blind D. sick

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. He was born on December 17th 1770 in Bonn, but he (1).................................. to Vienna, Austria in 1792, and lived there until his death in 1827. Beethoven showed his (2).............................. talents at an early age and was taught by his father Johann van Beethoven. Beethoven is regarded to as (3)................................ of the "three Bs" (along with Bach and Brahms). His best-known (4).................................. include 9 symphonies, 5 concertos for piano, 32 piano sonatas, and 16 string quarters. He also (5)............................... chamber music, choral works (including the celebrated Missa solemis), and songs. He was also a key figure in the transition from the 18th century musicial classicism to 19th century romanticism.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 36 to 43.

    May 7, 1840 was the birthday of one of the most famous Russian composers of the nineteenth century Peter Illich Tchaikovsky. The son of a mining inspector, Tchaikovsky studied music as a child and later studied composition at the St.Pertersburg Conservatory. His greatest period of productivity occurred between 1876 and 1890, during which time he enjoyed the patronage of Madame von Meck, a woman he never met, who gave him a living stipend of about $1,000.00 a year. Madame von Meck later terminated her friendship with Tchaikovsky, as well as his living allowance, when she, herself, was facing financial difficulties. It was during the time of Madame von Meck’s patronage, however, that Tchaikovsky created the music for which he is most famous, including the music for the ballets of Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty.

    Tchaikovsky’s music, well known for its rich melodic and sometimes melancholy passages, was one of the first that brought serious dramatic music to dance. Before this, little attention had been given to the music behind the dance. Tchaikovsky died on November 6,1893, ostensibly of cholera, though there are now some scholars who argue that he committed suicide.

With what topic is the passage primary concerned?

A. the life and music of Tchaikovsky

B. development of Tchaikovsky’s music for ballets

C. Tchaikovsky’s relationship with Madame Von Meck

D.  the cause of Tchaikovsky’s death

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 55 to 64.

May 7, 1840, was the birthday of one of the most famous Russian composers of the nineteenth century Peter Illich Tchaikovsky. The son of a mining inspector, Tchaikovsky studied music as a child and later studied composition at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. His greatest period of productivity occurred between 1876 and 1890, during which time he enjoyed the patronage of Madame von Meck, a woman he never met, who gave him a living stipend of about $1,000.00 a year. Madame von Meck later terminated her friendship with Tchaikovsky, as well as his living allowance, when she, herself, was facing financial difficulties. It was during the time of Madame von Meck's patronage, however, that Tchaikovsky created the music for which he is most famous, including the music for the ballets of Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty.

Tchaikovsky's music, well known for its rich melodic and sometimes melancholy passages, was one of the first that brought serious dramatic music to dance. Before this, little attention had been given to the music behind the dance. Tchaikovsky died on November 6, 1893, ostensibly of cholera, though there are now some scholars who argue that he committed suicide.

It is known that before Tchaikovsky, _______ . 

A. the music behind the dance had been taken seriously 

B. serous dramatic music had been already brought to dance 

C. the music behind the dance had been given very little attention. 

D. music had been famous for its rich melodic passages 

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. He was born on December 17^th 1770 in Bonn, but he (1).................................. to Vienna, Austria in 1792, and lived there until his death in 1827. Beethoven showed his (2).............................. talents at an early age and was taught by his father Johann van Beethoven. Beethoven is regarded to as (3)................................ of the "three Bs" (along with Bach and Brahms). His best-known (4).................................. include 9 symphonies, 5 concertos for piano, 32 piano sonatas, and 16 string quarters. He also (5)............................... chamber music, choral works (including the celebrated Missa solemis), and songs. He was also a key figure in the transition from the 18^th century musicial classicism to 19^th century romanticism.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 36 to 43.

    May 7, 1840 was the birthday of one of the most famous Russian composers of the nineteenth century Peter Illich Tchaikovsky. The son of a mining inspector, Tchaikovsky studied music as a child and later studied composition at the St.Pertersburg Conservatory. His greatest period of productivity occurred between 1876 and 1890, during which time he enjoyed the patronage of Madame von Meck, a woman he never met, who gave him a living stipend of about $1,000.00 a year. Madame von Meck later terminated her friendship with Tchaikovsky, as well as his living allowance, when she, herself, was facing financial difficulties. It was during the time of Madame von Meck’s patronage, however, that Tchaikovsky created the music for which he is most famous, including the music for the ballets of Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty.

    Tchaikovsky’s music, well known for its rich melodic and sometimes melancholy passages, was one of the first that brought serious dramatic music to dance. Before this, little attention had been given to the music behind the dance. Tchaikovsky died on November 6,1893, ostensibly of cholera, though there are now some scholars who argue that he committed suicide.

The phrase “enjoyed the patronage of” probably means________?

A. liked the company of 

B. was mentally attached to

C. solicited the advice of

D.  was financially dependent upon