Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase for each of the blanks.
One of the most famous concert halls in America is the Carnegie Hall in New York. Initially, it was called simply the 'Music Hall', but three years after its opening it was renamed in honour of Andrew Carnegie, the man who had provided much of the finance for its building.
The Hall officially opened on May 5, 1891. Since then the Hall has played host to the giants of classical music, as well as those of jazz, pop, folk and rock music, and has also been used for political rallies, religious services and lectures.
One of the most dramatic lectures given in the Hall took place during its first year. This began simply as a talk accompanied by slides of paintings of sunsets and landscapes, which was what the audience had been expecting. However, as the lecture progressed, the effects became more dramatic, with thunder, rolling clouds and steam billowing over the audience's head while mechanical volcanoes exploded on stage - all to the amazement and delight of the audience.
In 1927 the violinist Yehudi Menuhin made his appearance at the Carnegie Hall for the first time - he was aged ten. In the afternoon before the performance, he was wandering around the Hall instead of practising and was fascinated by an axe which he saw on the wall. The axe was for use in a fire but the boy, not knowing this, asked a security guard what it was for. The guard made an impression with his reply: "That's for chopping the heads off soloists who don't play well enough. Quite a few have already been chopped off." Yehudi went rushing back to practise.
On one occasion another famous violinist and a pianist were giving a performance together when the violinist got lost in the music. He anxiously looked to the pianist for help and whispered "Where are we?". He received the less than helpful reply "In the Carnegie Hall".
Rock and roll made its first appearance at the Carnegie Hall in 1955 with Bill Haley and his Comets. In 1964 the British invasion arrived when the Beatles played their first concert here. On the day of the concert, cars came to a halt all over the city and the crowds surrounding the building were enormous. Fortunately, in all the chaos nobody was seriously injured and the Hall escaped with only minor damage.
In the 1950s the building was threatened with demolition but a vigorous campaign to save it was led by the conductor, Isaac Stern. In 1960 the Hall was purchased by the City of New York and a few years later it was named a national landmark. Over the years the most famous musicians, singers and entertainers in the world have appeared there - no doubt they will continue to do so for many years to come.
Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct word or phrase for each of the blanks.
One of the most famous concert halls in America is the Carnegie Hall in New York. Initially, it was called simply the 'Music Hall', but three years after its opening it was renamed in honour of Andrew Carnegie, the man who had provided much of the finance for its building.
The Hall officially opened on May 5, 1891. Since then the Hall has played host to the giants of classical music, as well as those of jazz, pop, folk and rock music, and has also been used for political rallies, religious services and lectures.
One of the most dramatic lectures given in the Hall took place during its first year. This began simply as a talk accompanied by slides of paintings of sunsets and landscapes, which was what the audience had been expecting. However, as the lecture progressed, the effects became more dramatic, with thunder, rolling clouds and steam billowing over the audience's head while mechanical volcanoes exploded on stage - all to the amazement and delight of the audience.
In 1927 the violinist Yehudi Menuhin made his appearance at the Carnegie Hall for the first time - he was aged ten. In the afternoon before the performance, he was wandering around the Hall instead of practising and was fascinated by an axe which he saw on the wall. The axe was for use in a fire but the boy, not knowing this, asked a security guard what it was for. The guard made an impression with his reply: "That's for chopping the heads off soloists who don't play well enough. Quite a few have already been chopped off." Yehudi went rushing back to practise.
On one occasion another famous violinist and a pianist were giving a performance together when the violinist got lost in the music. He anxiously looked to the pianist for help and whispered "Where are we?". He received the less than helpful reply "In the Carnegie Hall".
Rock and roll made its first appearance at the Carnegie Hall in 1955 with Bill Haley and his Comets. In 1964 the British invasion arrived when the Beatles played their first concert here. On the day of the concert, cars came to a halt all over the city and the crowds surrounding the building were enormous. Fortunately, in all the chaos nobody was seriously injured and the Hall escaped with only minor damage.
In the 1950s the building was threatened with demolition but a vigorous campaign to save it was led by the conductor, Isaac Stern. In 1960 the Hall was purchased by the City of New York and a few years later it was named a national landmark. Over the years the most famous musicians, singers and entertainers in the world have appeared there - no doubt they will continue to do so for many years to come.
Question 49: Why was the pianist's answer unhelpful?
Question 50: The phrase “came to a halt” is closest in meaning to_____.
Question 51: What happened as a result of the Beatles going to Carnegie Hall?
Question 52: What happened in the 1950s?
Question 53: The word “vigorous’ is closest in meaning to_____.
Question 54: What does the writer seem to think about the future of the Carnegie Hall?
