One of classical music's greatest composers didn't have an easy life.
古典音樂其中一位最偉大的作曲家卻沒有平順的一生。
Ask anyone to name the best classical composers of all time and Johann Sebastian Bach will almost inevitably be at or near the top of the list. Examples of his enormous influence include statues erected in his honor, streets named after him, and samples of his works blasted into outer space for aliens to discover.
Born into a family of musicians in the city of Eisenach, Germany in 1685, Bach experienced tragedy at an early age. When he was nine years old, his mother died, and eight months later, his father, the man that taught him how to play the violin and harpsichord, also passed away. Bach then went to live with his oldest brother, Johann Christoph Bach, who helped develop his brother's skill on the harpsichord and organ. Later, Bach won a scholarship to study at a prestigious school, where his fine singing voice was recognized. After graduating, he held several musical posts in Germany, including being the director of music for Prince Leopold. Bach's most productive period for musical composition was from 1708 to 1717.
Tragedy revisited Bach in his adulthood. After his marriage to his second cousin, Maria Barbara Bach, the couple had seven children, three of whom died young. Then, in 1720, Bach's wife suddenly died. He remarried shortly thereafter, and this union with Anna Magdalena Wilcke produced 13 children. Unfortunately, only six of those saw adulthood.
Bach died in 1750 at the age of 65. Historians believe it was a stroke and pneumonia that killed him. During his lifetime, Bach was known as a superb musician and teacher. It wasn't until the early 19th century that his genius as a composer began to be fully appreciated.
1. Which is NOT mentioned as a way Bach has been honored?
(A) Specially prepared paths that people use for transportation.
(B) Pieces of art constructed in memory of him.
(C) Sending his music into outer space.
(D) Naming space shuttles after him.
2. Who taught Bach how to play musical instruments?
(A) His second wife.
(B) His mother.
(C) His father.
(D) His second cousin.
3. Why is the period from 1708 to 1717 mentioned in the article?
(A) It was when Bach wrote the most music.
(B) It was when he took his talent on the road.
(C) It was when he earned his reputation as a great violinist.
(D) It was how long his first marriage lasted.
4. What happened last?
(A) Tragedy struck Bach's family.
(B) People began to think of Bach as a stellar composer.
(C) Bach became a music teacher.
(D) Bach passed away due to lung cancer.
精解字詞片語
1.of all time 有史以來
Michael Jordan is regarded by many as the greatest basketball player of all time.
麥可．喬丹被許多人認為是有史以來最偉大的籃球員。
2.inevitably adv. 不可避免地
The workers were careless, which inevitably led to many mistakes.
這些工人很粗心，以致無可避免地犯下許多錯誤。
3.at the top of... 在……的頂端
Don't forget to write your name at the top of the test paper.
不要忘記在考卷的頂端寫上你的名字。
4.enormous a. 巨大的，龐大的
John has an enormous amount of energy in the mornings.
約翰在早上體力很充沛。
5.erect vt. 建立，樹立
The soldiers erected a guard tower at the edge of their camp.
士兵在他們的營區邊緣建了一座守衛塔。
6.in one's honor 紀念某人；向某人致敬
Sam will hold a special dinner in his father's honor.
山姆將舉辦一場特別的晚宴來紀念他的父親。
7.be named after... 以……命名
My son is named after a famous singer.
我兒子是以一位著名歌手來命名。
8.blast vt. 發射（火箭等）
The rocket was blasted into space on a clear October morning.
那艘火箭在一個晴朗的 10 月早晨發射升空。
9.pass away 過世
Jason's grandmother passed away last week.
傑森的奶奶上週過世了。
10.recognize vt. 認定，認可
The manager finally recognized Rob's ability to be a leader.
經理終於認可羅伯有成為領導人的能力。
11.productive a. 多產的
Paul runs a highly productive factory in China.
保羅在中國經營一間高產能的工廠。
12.adulthood n. 成年期
in one's adulthood 在某人成年時
The tribe's young boys completed the rite and passed into adulthood.
該部落的年輕男孩完成了儀式並邁向成年。
13.shortly thereafter 之後沒多久
Frank graduated from college two years ago. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Brazil.
法蘭克兩年前大學畢業。之後沒多久，他就搬到巴西去了。
14.be known as + 身分 以……身分出名
Lord Byron was known as a poet.
拜倫以身為詩人而聞名。
15.genius n. 才能（常用單數）；天才
Nick has a genius for raising money.
尼克有籌募資金這方面的才能。
My six-year-old cousin Peggy is a math genius.
我 6 歲的表妹佩姬是個數學天才。
16.appreciate vt. 欣賞
The class is designed to help students appreciate art.
這門課設計來幫助學生欣賞藝術。
17.on the road 在旅途中
The rock band has been on the road over the past six months.
那個搖滾樂團過去 6 個月以來一直都在巡迴表演。
18.earn one's reputation 某人獲得名聲
Steven earned his reputation as a novelist when he was 20 years old.
史提芬 20 歲時贏得了小說家的名聲。
19.strike vt. 侵襲
三態為：strike, struck, struck。
A terrible typhoon struck Taiwan last week.
上週有個可怕的颱風侵襲台灣。
20.stellar a. 出色的；優秀的
Mark gave a stellar performance at the festival.
馬克在這場慶典中表現出色。
單字小舖
1.tragedy n. 悲劇
2.classical a. 古典的
3.composer n. 作曲家
4.outer space 外太空
5.alien n. 外星人
6.harpsichord n. 大鍵琴；羽管鍵琴
7.organ n. 風琴
8.scholarship n. 獎學金（可數）
9.prestigious a. 有名望的
10.post n. 職位
11.composition n. 作曲；寫作
12.revisit vt. 再度造訪
13.union n. 結合；結婚
14.historian n. 歷史學家
15.stroke n. 中風
16.pneumonia n. 肺炎
17.superb a. 一流的
18.construct vt. 建造，建構
19.space shuttle 太空梭
20.violinist n. 小提琴家
21.last vi. 持續
片語小舖
1.die young 早逝
2.think of A as B 認為 A 是 B
= regard A as B
= see A as B
= view A as B
= consider A (to be) B
中文翻譯
如果你要任何人列出有史以來最優秀的古典音樂作曲家，約翰．塞巴斯丁．巴哈幾乎都無可避免地會被列在前幾名。巴哈對人們巨大影響的例子包括為紀念他而建的雕像、以他命名的街道，以及發射到外太空讓外星人去發現的作品樣本。
巴哈在 1685 年出生於一個位於德國艾森納赫市的音樂世家，他年紀很輕就經歷了悲劇。他 9 歲時母親就過世了，而 8 個月後，教導他拉小提琴和彈奏大鍵琴的父親也撒手人寰。巴哈後來去和他的大哥約翰．克里斯多夫．巴哈一起住，他大哥幫助他將彈奏大鍵琴和風琴的技巧更加精進。之後，巴哈贏得了獎學金得以進入一所頗富盛名的學校就讀，在那裡他卓越的歌聲受到肯定。畢業之後，他在德國擔任了幾份音樂方面的職位，其中還包括擔任利奧波爾王子的宮廷音樂長。巴哈的音樂作品產量最多的時期是從 1708 年到 1717 年。
巴哈成年時，悲劇又再度造訪。在他和他的二堂妹瑪麗亞．芭芭拉．巴哈結婚之後，這對夫妻生了 7 個孩子，而其中有 3 個很早就夭折了。接著在 1720 年，巴哈的妻子突然過世了。他不久之後便再婚，而他和安娜．瑪德蓮娜．威爾肯結婚生下了 13 名子女。很不幸地，其中只有 6 位長大成人。
巴哈在 1750 年過世，享年 65 歲。歷史學家相信他的死因是中風和肺炎。在他一生中，巴哈以一流音樂家和老師的身份而聞名。直到 19 世紀初，他身為作曲家的天份才開始完全獲得欣賞。
1. 下列哪一種紀念巴哈的方式未被提及？
(A) 特別準備供人們來往的道路。請見文章第 1 段
(B) 建造用來紀念他的藝術品。請見文章第 1 段
(C) 將他的音樂傳往外太空。請見文章第 1 段
(D) 以他來命名太空梭。
題解：根據上述，只有 (D) 選項未被提及，故選之。
2. 誰教導巴哈彈奏樂器？
(A) 他的第二任妻子。
(B) 他的母親。
(C) 他的父親。
(D) 他的二堂妹。
題解：根據本文第二段，他 9 歲時母親就過世了，而 8 個月後，教導他彈奏小提琴和大鍵琴的父親也撒手人寰，可知答案應選 (C)。
3. 文章中為何提到 1708 年到 1717 年這段時間？
(A) 這是巴哈創作出最多音樂作品的時期。
(B) 這是他在旅途中善用天賦的時期。
(C) 這是他贏得偉大小提琴家美譽的時期。
(D) 這是他第一段婚姻持續的時間。
題解：根據本文第二段，巴哈的音樂作品產量最多的時期是從 1708 年到 1717 年，可知 (A) 應為正選。
4. 下列何者最晚發生？
(A) 悲劇發生在巴哈的家庭。
(B) 人們開始認為巴哈是位傑出的作曲家。
(C) 巴哈成為音樂老師。
(D) 巴哈因為肺癌而過世。
題解：根據本文第四段，直到 19 世紀初，巴哈身為作曲家的天份才開始完全被欣賞，而巴哈於 1750 年過世，可知答案應選 (B)。
答案：1. D 2. C 3. A 4. B
文法一點靈
"數量詞 + of + 關係代名詞" 的用法
注意：
Mr. Johnson has taught many students, two of them have become noted scientists.
（×，兩句無連接詞連接）
補救之道：
a. 分號
Mr. Johnson has taught many students; two of them have become noted scientists.
強森先生教了許多學生；其中兩位已成知名的科學家。
b. 數量詞 + of + 關係代名詞（whom 或 which ）
Mr. Johnson has taught many students, two of whom have become noted scientists.
強森先生教了許多學生，其中兩位已成知名的科學家。
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