教材试题 Unit 1 (Workbook) Reading Task

Unit 1 Nothing ventured, nothing gained(Workbook)READING TASKA GOOD MASTER REMEMBEREDIt has been almost a week since my master, Ludwig van Beethoven, died. That day was one of the saddest of my life. I had worked for my master for more than twenty years and lived through many of his happiest moments and his triumphs as well as his most unhappy times. He wasnt, however, the easiest of men to work for. His moods were changeable so that he could be reasonable at one moment but most impatient and intolerant at the next. I succeeded in staying in his employment for so long because I had learned to read the signs and would avoid him when his face began to grow wild and angry.His problems began in 1802 when he discovered his loss of hearing was not temporary. It brought him to a crossroads in his life because his earlier career as a concert pianist was no longer open to him. It was then that he realized that his future lay in composing music. Luckily he was especially suited for that because he was able to compensate for the fear and anxiety that his deafness brought him. He was able to use these emotions to inspire his work. I describe his music as subjective because it dealt with his inner problems and worries. It was not the most popular music of its time but people recognized Beethovens greatness. They did so even when they knew he could not acknowledge it. When he was conducting his ninth and last symphony on its first performance he was totally deaf. So he just didnt realize that the music had finished and continued to conduct the orchestra. One of the singers had to turn him round so he could receive the cheers of the audience. From one angle it was a sad moment but from another it was an even greater triumph. That a man with such a condition could have written such dynamic music was overwhelming! It brought tears to my eyes to think that I had contributed in some small way by looking after him.It was very appropriate that he died in the middle of a thunderstorm. This is because he dressed rather like a wild man himself. His hair was always untidy, his skin marked with spots and his mouth set in a downward curve. He took no care of his appearance and walked around our city with his clothes carelessly arranged. Those of us who loved him knew that this was because he was concentrating on his next composition.So it was fitting that many thousands of people were present at his funeral. He was the outstanding composer of his generation but it seems to me that his ability might have remained hidden had it not been for his deafness. Helping him move house many times, preparing his meals and looking after his everyday comforts were my reward for a life living so close to such a musical genius. I consider myself a lucky man!Read the passage and discuss the questions in pairs. Then get together with another pair and compare your answers. One of the group should make notes and report the ideas to the class.1 In what ways does the servant admire Beethoven?_2 Give two examples of how Beethovens deafness affected him._3 What might Beethoven have done if he had not gone deaf?_4 What would you concentrate on if you were to go deaf?_5 Many people were frightened when they first met Beethoven. Why?_Suggested answers to Exx 1-5：1 He admires his persistence in composing and the way he included his feelings about his deafness into his music. 2 Beethovens deafness affected him personally because he had to stop being a concert pianist and concentrate on composing music. It affected him musically because he was able to use his emotions in his music and Write even greater music. 3 If he had not gone deaf, Beethoven would still have been famous as a great pianist. 4 Answers may vary. 5 His moods w