For my part, I have no idea whether Gilbert is a great conductor or even a good one. To be sure, he performs an impressive variety of interesting compositions, but it is not necessary for me to visit Avery Fisher Hall, or anywhere else, to hear interesting orchestral music. All I have to do is to go to my CD shelf, or boot up my computer and download still more recorded music from iTunes.
Devoted concertgoers who reply that recordings are no substitute for live performance are missing the point. For the time, attention, and money of the art-loving public, classical instrumentalists must compete not only with opera houses, dance troupes, theater companies, and museums, but also with the recorded performances of the great classical musicians of the 20th century. These recordings are cheap, available everywhere, and very often much higher in artistic quality than today’s live performances; moreover, they can be “consumed” at a time and place of the listener’s choosing. The widespread availability of such recordings has thus brought about a crisis in the institution of the traditional classical concert.
One possible response is for classical performers to program attractive new music that is not yet available on record. Gilbert’s own interest in new music has been widely noted: Alex Ross, a classical-music critic, has described him as a man who is capable of turning the Philharmonic into “a markedly different, more vibrant organization”. But what will be the nature of that difference? Merely expanding the orchestra’s repertoire will not be enough. If Gilbert and the Philharmonic are to succeed, they must first change the relationship between America’s oldest orchestra and the new audience it hopes to attract.
11. We learn from Paragraph 1 that Gilbert’s appointment has
[A]incurred criticism [B]raised suspicion [C]received acclaim [D]aroused curiosity
12. Tommasini regards Gilbert as an artist who is
[A]influential [ B]modest [ C]respectable [ D]talented
13. The author believes that the devoted concertgoers .
[A]ignore the expenses of live performances
[B]reject most kinds of recorded performances [C]exaggerate the variety of live performances [D]overestimate the value of live performances
14. According to the text, which of the following is true of recordings?
[A]They are often inferior to live concerts in quality. [B]They are easily accessible to the general public. [C]They help improve the quality of music. [D]They have only covered masterpieces.
15. Regarding Gilbert’s role in revitalizing the Philharmonic, the author feels .
[ A]doubtful [ B]enthusiastic [ C]confident [ D]puzzled
Text 4
First two hours, now three hours—this is how far in advance authorities are recommending people show up to catch a domestic flight, at least at some major U.S. airports with increasingly massive security lines.
Americans are willing to tolerate time-consuming security protocols in return for increased safety. The crash of EgyptAir Flight 804, which terrorists may have downed over the Mediterranean Sea, provides another tragic reminder of why. But demanding too much of air travelers or providing too little security in return undermines public support for the process. And it should: Wasted time is a drag on Americans economic and private lives, not to mention infuriating.
Last year, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) found in a secret check that undercover investigators were able to sneak weapons—both fake and real—past airport security nearly every time they tried. Enhanced security measures since then, combined with a rise in airline travel due to the improving economy and low oil prices, have resulted in long waits at major airports such as Chicago’s O’Hare International. It is not yet clear how much more effective airline security has become—but the lines are obvious.
Part of the issue is that the government did not anticipate the steep increase in airline travel, so the TSA is now rushing to get new screeners on the line. Part of the issue is that airports have only so much room for screening lanes. Another factor may be that more people are trying to overpack their carry-on bags to avoid checked baggage fees, though the airlines strongly dispute this.
There is one step the TSA could take that would not require remodeling airports or rushing to hire: Enroll more people in the PreCheck program. PreCheck is supposed to be a win-win for travelers and the TSA. Passengers who pass a
background check are eligible to use expedited screening lanes. This allows the TSA to focus on travelers who are higher risks, saving time for everyone involved. TSA wants to enroll 25 million people in PreCheck.
It has not gotten anywhere close to that, and one big reason is sticker shock. Passengers must pay $85 every five years to process their background checks. Since the beginning, this price tag has been PreCheck’s fatal flaw. Upcoming reforms might bring the price to a more reasonable level. But Congress should look into doing so directly, by helping to finance PreCheck enrollment or to cut costs in other ways.
The TSA cannot continue diverting resources into underused PreCheck lanes while most of the traveling public suffers in unnecessary lines. It is long past time to make the program work.
16. The crash of Egypt Air Flight 804 is mentioned to .
[A]explain Americans’ tolerance of current security checks
[B]stress the urgency to strengthen security worldwide [C]highlight the necessity of upgrading major U.S. airports [D]emphasize the importance of privacy protection
17. Which of the following contributes to long waits at major airports?
[A]New restrictions on carry-on bags [B]The declining efficiency of the TSA [C]An increase in the number of travelers [D]Frequent unexpected secret checks
18. The word “expedited” (Line 3, Para.5) is closest in meaning to
[ A]quieter [ B]cheaper [ C]wider [ D]faster
19. One problem with the PreCheck program is [A]a dramatic reduction of its scale [B]its wrongly-directed implementation [C]the government’s reluctance to back it [D]an unreasonable price for enrollment
20. Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
[A]Less Screening for More Safety
[B]PreCheck—a Belated Solution [C]Getting Stuck in Security Lines [D]Underused PreCheck Lanes
Text 5
When it comes to the slowing economy, Ellen Spero isn’t biting her nails just yet. But the 47-year-old manicurist isn’t cutting, filling or polishing as many nails as she’d like to, either. Most of her clients spend $12 to $50 weekly, but last month two longtime customers suddenly stopped showing up. Spero blames the softening economy. “I’m a good economic indicator,” she says. “I provide a service that people can do without when they’re concerned about saving some dollars.” So Spero is downscaling, shopping at middle-brow Dillard’s department store near her suburban Cleveland home, instead of Neiman Marcus. “I don’t know if other clients are going to abandon me, too.” she says.
Even before Alan Greenspan’s admission that America’s red-hot economy is cooling, lots of working folks had already seen signs of the slowdown themselves. From car dealerships to Gap outlets, sales have been lagging for months as shoppers temper their spending. For retailers, who last year took in 24 percent of their revenue between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the cautious approach is coming at a crucial time. Already, experts say, holiday sales are off 7 percent from last year’s pace. But don’t sound any alarms just yet. Consumers seem only mildly concerned, not panicked, and many say they remain optimistic about the economy’s long-term prospects, even as they do some modest belt-tightening.
Consumers say they’re not in despair because, despite the dreadful headlines, their own fortunes still feel pretty good. Home prices are holding steady in most regions. In Manhattan, “there’s a new gold rush happening in the $4 million to $10 million range, predominantly fed by Wall Street bonuses,” says broker Barbara Corcoran. In San Francisco, prices are still rising even as frenzied overbidding quiets. “Instead of 20 to 30 offers, now maybe you only get two or three,” says John Tealdi, a Bay Area real-estate broker. And most folks still feel pretty comfortable about their ability to find and keep a job.
Many folks see silver linings to this slowdown. Potential home buyers would cheer for lower interest rates. Employers wouldn’t mind a little fewer bubbles in the job market. Many consumers seem to have been influenced by stock-market swings, which investors now view as a necessary ingredient to a sustained boom. Diners might see an upside, too. Getting a table at Manhattan’s hot new Alain Ducasse restaurant used to be impossible. Not anymore. For that, Greenspan & Co. may still be worth toasting.
51. By “Ellen Spero isn’t biting her nails just yet” (Lines 1-2, Paragraph 1), the
author means ________.
[A] Spero can hardly maintain her business
[B] Spero is too much engaged in her work [C] Spero has grown out of her bad habit
[D] Spero is not in a desperate situation
52. How do the public feel about the current economic situation?
[A] Optimistic. [B] Confused. [C] Carefree. [D] Panicked.
53. When mentioning “the $4 million to $10 million range” (Lines 3-4, Paragraph 3)
the author is talking about ________.
[A] gold market [B] real estate [C] stock exchange [D] venture investment
54. Why can many people see “silver linings” to the economic slowdown?
[A] They would benefit in certain ways. [B] The stock market shows signs of recovery. [C] Such a slowdown usually precedes a boom. [D] The purchasing power would be enhanced. 55. To which of the following is the author likely to agree?
[A] A new boom, on the horizon. [B] Tighten the belt, the single remedy. [C] Caution all right, panic not.
[D] The more ventures, the more chances.
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