Q: I'm taking a test and have to guess the right answer to the question after the article. Article: Like every language, American English is full of special expressions, phrases that come from the day-to-day life of the people and develop in their own way. Our expression today is "to face the music". When someone says, "Well, I guess I'll have to face the music," it does not mean he's planning to go to the concert. It is something far less pleasant, like being called in by your boss to explain why you did this and did that, and why you didn't do this or that. Awful music indeed, but it has to be faced. At sometime or another, every one of us has to face the music, especially as children. We can all remember father's angry voice, "I want to talk to you." and only because we did not obey him. What an unpleasant business it was! The phrase "to face the music" is familiar to every American, young and old. It is at least 100 years old. And where did this expression come from? The first explanation comes from the American novelist, James Fenimore Looper. He said, in 1851, that the expression was first used by actors while waiting to go on the stage. When they got their cue to go on, they often said, "Well, it's time to face the music." And that was exactly what they did--facing the orchestra which was just below them. And an actor might be frightened or nervous as he moved on to the stage in front of an audience that might be friendly or perhaps _ , especially if he forgot his lines. But he had to go out. If he did not, there would be no play. So the expression "to face the music" came to mean "having to go through something, no matter how unpleasant the experience might be, because you knew you had no choice." Other explanations about the expression go back to the army. When the men faced an inspection by their leader, the soldiers would be worried about how well they looked. Was their equipment clean, shiny enough to pass the inspection? Still the men had to go out and face the music of the band as well as the inspection. What else could they do? Another army explanation is more closely linked to the idea of... Question: What's the meaning of "to face the music"? Options: A: To face something far less pleasant. B: To face the stage. C: To face the back of one's horse. D: To face one's leader.
A: A

Q: I'm taking a test and have to guess the right answer to the question after the article. Article: Last week Adele's second album, 21, sold 257,000 copies in the UK, a sales figure that would look incredible as an opening sales week for any album by any global superstar. The fact that the album was celebrating its 10th week at No.1, and that each of the previous nine weeks it had sold over 100,000 copies, makes what Adele has achieved look miraculous. The last female singer to spend that long at No.1 in the UK was Madonna in 1990 with her greatest hits compilation, The Immaculate Collection. For Adele, the success of 21 is part of a perfect storm of talent, timing and a connection that went beyond gender, age and credibility. But what does it say about the state of the music industry? Does Adele's success signal a return to the MOR musical depression, when the likes of James Blunt dominated the charts? Her success may well lead to a great many similar acts aiming for an MOR audience, but that's more the fault of an industry desperate to recreate any kind of success by creating poor copies until the world shouts "stop now". What seems to have set Adele apart is her apparent ordinariness, besides that incredible voice. While Gaga parades around in a dress made of meat and Beyonce orbits a world out of touch to the majority of most human beings, Adele's chain-smoking, girl-you'd-like-to-go-to-the-pub-with persona stands out. Even for a British act, her ordinariness goes against trend, with fellow Jessie J adopting a very American habit of over-emoting, talking about a "journey" and making the idea of being a pop star seem fairly difficult. It's this universality and broad appeal that's helped her translate talent into sales. While the first single from 21, Rolling in the Deep, appealed to Radio 1 listeners and bloggers, the second single, Someone Like You, is so successful that silenced the grand O2 Arena during this year's Brit Awards. The press can write pages and pages in that there's enough of a connection of musicians - Rick Rubin worked on the album, there's a cover of the Cure, Mumford & Sons were an... Question: According to the author, the success of Adele's second album _ . Options: A: to a large extent depends on her apparent talent for music B: is because of her extraordinariness and the wonderful voice C: lies in gift, timing and something beyond sex, age and trust D: is largely due to the state of the music industry currently
A: C

Q: I'm taking a test and have to guess the right answer to the question after the article. Article: Festivals play an important role in a culture's identity.I can't think of a better way of appreciating a new culture than by taking part in one of its festivals. Here are some special festivals around the world. Boryeong Mud Festival-Boryeong, South Korea For two weeks in July, millions gather in Borueong to experience the grey pools and slides.What began as a way of promoting the region's mineral-rich mud has turned into a festive party, complete with music and fireworks.While the mud is usually only available in cosmetic products, here you can cake yourself in grey as you want. Holi-India Holi, the Festival of Colors, is a Hindu celebration full of joy and one of India's most important holidays, During the day of the last full moon of the lunar month, usually late February throughout the country, but the cheerful spirit is common throughout Hindu communities around the world. Koninginnedag-The Netherlands Although their current Queen's birthday is really during the winter, the Queen still celebrates it on April 30th, the country's official " Queen's Day" since 1949.Orange is the national color, and the streets become a sea of feather boas and body paint as crowds gather in the plazas .Amsterdam is the center of this outdoor party, with many live music acts, but nearly every town is alive with orange on this day. National Elephant Day in Thailand In Thailand, March 13 is regarded as National Elephant Day to show that the Thai elephant plays an important role in the Thai history.Thai Elephant Day has been held on an annual basis since the idea was first approved by the Thai government in 1998.Special events are held at a number of venues in northern Thailand.At the Mae Sa Elephant Camp, it has become a tradition on March13 for the dozens of elephants there to be treated to a huge feast of fruits and sugarcane. Question: You can experience the Festival of Colors in _ . Options: A: South Korea B: Thailand C: the Netherlands D: India
A: D