The Dixie Chicks used to be known as the biggest-selling female group in music history. Now they are known as one of the most disputed . In 2003, Natalie Maines, the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, was in the news. During a concert in London, she criticized President Bush for his political actions. She spoke less than two weeks before the invasion of Iraq. The Chicks did not realize the effect of those words. They soon lost their fans. They even received death threats. The comment changed the direction of their lives, music, and beliefs. Now, their new album Taking the Long Way shows their new musical direction. It is about acting and thinking freely. Maines openly sings about criticizing the president. She says she learned about herself by expressing her beliefs. The album also represents the Chicks' new musical style. In the past, they only sang songs influenced by country music. They did not always write their own music. Now, they are adding some rock sounds to their song collection, and they wrote every song on the album. Taking the Long Way quickly became the top-selling album in the country when it was released at the end of May. But many country music radio stations will not play music by the Dixie Chicks. Many people in the country music industry now oppose the band for criticizing the president. However, the Dixie Chicks continue to stress the importance of standing firmly and bravely for what they believe in --no matter what people may think or say. Although the new album quickly became the top-selling album after being released, _ . A) the Dixie Chicks will never become the biggest-selling female group again B) it's not easy for the Dixie Chicks to get rid of the influence from country music C) there are many objections and negative attitudes toward the Dixie Chicks D) the Dixie Chicks can't get public acceptance of their musical style
C
Let us begin by saying what causes our dreams. Our dreams do not come from another world. They are not messages from some outside source .They are not a look into the future, either. All our dreams have something to do with our feelings, fears, longings, wishes, needs and memories. If a person is hungry, or tired, or cold , his dreams may include a feeling of this kind. If the covers on your body, such as a quilt or a blanket, have slipped off your bed, you may dream that you are sleeping on ice or in snow. The material for the dream you will have tonight is likely to come from the experience you have today. So the subject of your dream usually comes from something that has effect on you while you are sleeping(feeling of cold, a noise, a discomfort, etc.)and it may also use your past experiences and the wishes and the interests you have now. This is why children are likely to dream of fairies, older children of school examinations, hungry people of food, home-sick soldiers of their families and prisoners of freedom. To show you how this is happening while you are asleep and how your needs and wishes can all be joined together in a dream, here is the story of the experiment. A man was asleep and the back of his hand was rubbed with a piece of soft cotton. He would dream he was in hospital and his charming girlfriend was visiting him, sitting on the bed and feeling gently his hands! There are some scientists who have made a special study of why we dream, what we dream and what those dreams mean. Their explanation of dreams, though a bit reasonable, is not accepted by everyone but it offers an interesting approach to the problem. They believe that dreams are mostly expressions of wishes that did not come true. In other words dreaming is a way of having your wishes carried out. Older children often dream of examinations probably because_. A) they are interested in exams B) they are often worried about their studies C) they hope for better life D) they show much interest in their studies
B
Q: The morning had been a disaster.My tooth was aching,and I'd been in an argument with a friend.Her words still hurt:"The trouble with you is that you won't put yourself in my place.Can't you see things from my point of view?"I shook my head stubbornly--and felt the ache in my tooth.I'd thought I could hold out till my dentist came back from holiday,but the pain was really unbearable.I started calling the dentists in the phone book,but no one could see me immediately.Finally, at about lunchtime,I got lucky. "If you come by right now,"the receptionist said,"the dentist will fit you in ." I look my purse and keys and rushed to my car. But suddenly I began to doubt about the dentist.What kind of dentist would be so eager to treat someone at such short notice?Why wasn't he as busy as the others? In the dentist's office,I sat down and looked around.I saw nothing but the bare walls and I became even more worried.The assistant noticed my nervousness and placed her warm hand over my ice-cold one. When I tole her my fears, she laughed and said ,"Don't worry.The dentist is very good." "How long do I have to wait for him?"I asked impatiently. "Come on ,he is coming.Just lie down and relax.And enjoy the artwork,"the assistant said. "The artwork?"I was puzzled. The chair went back,suddenly I smiled.There was a beautiful picture, right where I could enjoy it: on the ceiling .How considerate the dentist was ! At that moment,I began to understand what my friend meant by her words. What a relief! What made the author begin to doubt about the dentist? A) The dentist's being as busy as the other dentists. B) The dentist's agreeing to treat her at very short notice. C) The surroundings of the dentist's office. D) The laughing assistant of the dentist.
A: B
About five years ago I started at a new school when my family moved to Iowa. I was just a little ex-cited, but I worried I would never fit in with the other sixth graders. Lucy, a girl in my class, who I thought was not ready for change, didn't like me from the start. In fact, I was pretty sure she hated me. I would ask her a question, and I could tell she thought I was a total fool. My teacher made us sit by each other for the last term. Lucy was horrified . I didn't wear make-up , and I didn't wear those terrible bell-bottom pants. I didn't exactly look like the coolest girl. But, I kept smiling at her, though she rolled her eyes, and I kept telling her she looked beautiful, even when she was angry. Finally, Lucy let me talk to her, even in sight of her "cool" friends. She started telling me how beautiful I looked. I still remember that first time when she smiled at me saying that, and I smiled right back, telling her thanks. Lucy invited me over to her house for a party, and talked to me all the time instead of her other friends. Lucy, the girl who hated me, called me her best friend. After that, we still were good friends a whole year later. I may have moved to Arizona after that, but I will never forget Lucy. It's funny -- I still remember her birthday. She was a great friend. And to think, she considered me her enemy at first. Though it was hard, and it felt like I was wasting my time, and losing my dignity , I still smiled at Lucy when she made fun of me. I'm not stupid, I didn't think she was right in doing those things, but I still put up with it. And we became great friends. About two weeks ago, I read a sentence by Abraham Lincoln: "Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?" Immediately, I smiled, thinking of Lucy. That sentence just reminded me how great it was for me to change Lucy into my friend in that state of Iowa five years ago. How did the author change Lucy's attitude towards her? A) By wearing make-up. B) By keeping smiling at Lucy. C) By wearing bell-bottom pants. D) By sitting beside Lucy in class.
B