Q: Probably no other musical instrument is as popular as the guitar around the world. Musicians use the guitar for almost all kinds of music. Country and western music would not be the same without a guitar. The traditional Spanish folk music called Flamenco could not exist without a guitar. The sound of American blues music would not be the same without the sad cry of the guitar. And rock and roll music would almost be impossible without this instrument.

Music experts do not agree about where the guitar was first played. Most agree it is ancient. Some experts say an instrument very much like a guitar was played in Egypt more than 1,000 years ago. Most experts say that the ancestor of the modern guitar was brought to Spain from Persia sometime in the 12thcentury. The guitar continued to develop in Spain. In the 1700s it became similar to the instrument we know today.

Many famous musicians played the instrument. The famous Italian violins Niccole Paganism played and wrote music for the guitar in the early 1800s. Franz Schubert used the guitar to write some of his famous works. In modern times Spanish guitarist Andres Segovia helped make the instrument extremely popular.

In the 1930s, Les Paul began experimenting to make an electric guitar. He invented the solid-bodied electric guitar in 1946. The Gibson Guitar Company began producing its famous Les Paul Guitar in 1952. It became a powerful influence on popular music. The instrument has the same shape and the same six strings as the traditional guitar, but it sounds very different. Les Paul produced a series of extremely popular recordings that introduced the public to this music. Listen to this Les Paul recording. It was the fifth most popular song in the United States in 1952. It is called "Meet Mister Callaghan."

Answer the following questions:
1. What instrument is the most popular?
A: 1. guitar
Q: CHAPTER LXVIII King Media Dreams

That afternoon was melting down to eve; all but Media broad awake; yet all motionless, as the slumberer upon the purple mat. Sailing on, with open eyes, we slept the wakeful sleep of those, who to the body only give repose, while the spirit still toils on, threading her mountain passes.

King Media's slumbers were like the helmed sentry's in the saddle. From them, he started like an antlered deer, bursting from out a copse. Some said he never slept; that deep within himself he but intensified the hour; or, leaving his crowned brow in marble quiet, unseen, departed to far-off councils of the gods. Howbeit, his lids never closed; in the noonday sun, those crystal eyes, like diamonds, sparkled with a fixed light.

As motionless we thus reclined, Media turned and muttered:--"Brother gods, and demi-gods, it is not well. These mortals should have less or more. Among my subjects is a man, whose genius scorns the common theories of things; but whose still mortal mind can not fathom the ocean at his feet. His soul's a hollow, wherein he raves."

"List, list," whispered Yoomy--"our lord is dreaming; and what a royal dream."

"A very royal and imperial dream," said Babbalanja--"he is arraigning me before high heaven;--ay, ay; in dreams, at least, he deems himself a demi-god."

"Hist," said Mohi--"he speaks again."

"Gods and demi-gods! With one gesture all abysses we may disclose; and before this Mardi's eyes, evoke the shrouded time to come. Were this well? Like lost children groping in the woods, they falter through their tangled paths; and at a thousand angles, baffled, start upon each other. And even when they make an onward move, 'tis but an endless vestibule, that leads to naught. In my own isle of Odo--Odo! Odo! How rules my viceroy there?--Down, down, ye madding mobs! Ho, spearmen, charge! By the firmament, but my halberdiers fly!"

Answer the following questions:
1. Who was wide awake?
2. Who was similar to a deer?
3. What was said about his rest?
4. What did the king say?
5. How come?
6. Who whispered about the dream?
7. Who else was there?
8. Anyone else?
9. What was Odo?
10. Whose island?
11. Where was the king thought to travel to during slumber?
A: 1. all but Media
2. King Media
3. that he never slept
4. it is not well
5. These mortals should have less or more
6. Yoomy did
7. Babbalanja
8. Mohi too
9. an island
10. the King's
11. heaven
Q: Today is Josh's birthday, so he invited all of his friends over for his party. Josh wanted it to be the best party ever, so he helped his mom plan it so it would be fun. They first picked that it would be a pool party, since they had a huge pool in their backyard. So they told everybody to wear their bathing suits. They went to the sports store and got a basketball hoop that they could put in the pool, so people could play water basketball. Then they went to the food store and picked out all of Josh's favorite foods. They got chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs so they could cook everything on the grill. When it came time for the party, Josh's best friend Ryan was the first to get there. Soon, all of Josh's friends were there and everybody had a great time. The weather was perfect and the food was delicious. It was the best seventh birthday ever!

Answer the following questions:
1. how was the weather?
2. how old was josh?
3. what day was it?
4. why did he invite all his buddies to his house?
5. how did he ensure that it would be a great celebration?
6. why did they choose a pool party?
7. what was everyone supposed to bring?
8. what did they buy at the shop?
9. where did they place it?
10. why?
11. how many types of food did they purchase?
12. how were they going to prepare them?
13. who arrived first?
14. who was he?
15. was he the only one who showed up?
16. who else did?
17. did they enjoy themselves?
18. how did the meal turn out?
19. compared to other birthdays how was this one?
A:
1. Warm
2. Seven
3. Today
4. for his party
5. He helped his mom plan it
6. Because of the huge pool in their backyard
7. bathing suits
8. a basketball hoop
9. the pool
10. to play water basketball.
11. Three
12. On the grill
13. Ryan
14. best friend
15. no
16. his friends
17. yes
18. Good
19. The best