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Isaac Stern was more than a great violin player.He was one of the most honored musicians in the
world, an international cultural ambassador.And he was also a teacher and activist.For more than sixty
years, Mr.Stern performed excellent music.He performed in concerts around the world and on
recordings.
Isaac Stern was born in 1920 in Ukraine.His parents moved to California the following year.He
began
taking violin lessons after hearing a friend play the instrument.Later, he began studying music at the
San
Francisco Conservatory(旧金山音乐学院). He progressed quickly.When he was sixteen, he played
with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.The next year, he performed in New York and was
praised by music critics.
Isaac Stern became one of the busiest musicians of his day.He played more than one hundred
concerts a year.He also became one of the most recorded musicians in history.Isaac Stern also
supported artistic
development and freedom.
In 1979, Isaac Stern visited China.He met with Chinese musicians and students.He taught them
about
classical Western music.His visit was made into a film.It is called From Mao to Mozart:Isaac Stern
in
China.It won an Academy Award for best documentary film.
In 1984, Isaac Stern received the Kennedy Center Honors Award for his gifts to American
culture
through music.He expressed his thoughts about the part that music plays in life.He said music is
an
important part of a civilized life.He said people need music as much as they need bread.
Isaac Stern died in 2001 at the age of eighty－one.He was a major influence on music in the
twentieth century.He leaves the world richer with his many recordings.
1. What did Isaac Stern think of music?
A. Necessary.
B. Difficult.
C. Entertaining.
D. Interesting.
2. The passage mentioned Isaac Stern's visit to China mainly to __________.
A. encourage people to develop the international relationship
B. advise the readers to take up music
C. introduce more achievements of Isaac Stern
D. show he acted as an international cultural ambassador
3. Which of the following statements is TRUE about Isaac Stern?
A. He was born in California in the 1920s.
B. He had visited many countries to advertise his recordings.
C. He played less than one hundred concerts in all.
D. His excellent music life lasted over 60 years.
4. From the passage, we can infer that __________.
A. Isaac Stern influenced the culture in the 20th century a lot
B. Isaac Stern was one of the most active musicians of his day
C. Isaac Stern was so busy that he couldn't spare time to educate the youth
D. Isaac Stern led a rich life in his later life
5. What will be the best title for the passage?
A. Isaac Stern and the awards he got
B. Isaac Stern's life of pursuing music
C. Isaac Stern:one of the most honored musicians
D. Isaac Stern's visit to China