Tabb doesn't look like a typical music teacher. But every weekday evening in the French Quarter New Orleans, he beats out the rhythm on his music stand as students play their chosen instruments.
“I'm doing my best to take young people away from harmful things,” said Tabb. His program, "The Roots of Music”, offers free music education to more than 100 students. He struggles to keep young people on the straight and narrow in the city with the nation's highest murder rate(凶杀率).
Tabb chose to target 9to14yearolds with his program. “That's a very important time in your life,” he said. “If I catch them then, I can hold onto them for at least four or five years and guide them the way that will lead them to success.”
Students meet from 4 pm to 7 pm every weekday, all year round. They work with tutors(助教) on schoolwork, practice their music and eat a hot meal before heading home. With the money provided by some people, Tabb's group is able to provide bus transportation, instruments and food for free. He calls it his “no excuse” policy. “You have no excuse why you're not here,” Tabb said. Tabb owes the success in part to the nature of music. “You're always learning something new,”he said. “That's what keeps the kids coming back every day.”
But the program isn't only about fun. “Music is about discipline (纪律),”said Tabb. He insists on good behavior and keeps kids in order with threats of situps(仰卧起坐), pushups(俯卧撑) or tasks like picking up grains of rice — but these measures aren't just punishment. Tabb wants young people to realize that music can help them build a better future. “I don't say that I'm saving lives,” he said. “I say I'm giving life — a whole different life of music.”
小题1:The underlined phrase "keep young people on the straight and narrow” may mean ________.
A．keep young people standing straight
B．keep young people on the correct life track(道路)
C．keep young people busy performing music
D．keep young people away from the dangerous parts of the city小题2:Which of the following kids may NOT be included in Tabb's program “ The Roots of Music”？
A．Jack, 8 years old.
B．Tom, 9 years old.
C．John, 11 years old.
D．Linda, 13 years old.小题3:What attracts children to join in the program to learn music?
A．The free food and transportation.
B．The famous music teacher.
C．The chance to learn new things.
D．The strict discipline rules.小题4:By saying “music is about discipline”, Tabb means ________.
A．keeping discipline is more important than learning music
B．obeying(遵守) rules is important in playing music well
C．music is also connected with kids' grades
D．kids can learn how to behave through music小题5:What is the main idea of this passage?
A．Tabb's program offers young people help.
B．Kids improve grades through music learning.
C．Tabb offers kids free food to learn music.
D．Tabb performs music for street children.