A. apparently B. surprisingly C. spirituality D. tried E. poetry F. statement G. physical H. released I. lasting j. recorded K. instruments
When US musician Bob Dylan was announced as the winner of this year ‘s Nobel Prize for literature last month , many people took to social media to suggest that Leonard Cohen was the only other living songwriter who deserved the honor.
Sadly , on Nov 7 , the deep-voiced Canadian artist died at the age of 82.
Many tributes ( 称赞) were written for Cohen , who had just ____31____ his 14th album , You Want It Darker , on Oct 21. “ Leonard Cohen is as important today as he was in the 1960s ,” Canada ‘s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a ____32____ . “ His ability to describe human emotion made him one of the most influential and _____33____musicians ever.”
Cohen’s most famous song , Hallenlujah , in which he compared ___34_____ love to a need for spiritual connection , has been ____35____ hundreds of times by different musicians since it was first released in 1984.
And Cohen’s song Bird on a Wire (1969) could be considered a perfect epitaph (墓志铭) that he wrote for himself. As the song’s first line goes , “ Like a bird on a wire , like a drunk in midmight choir , I have ___36_____in my way to be free .”
“ Cohen writes words that explain what it means to be human . I ‘ve read___37_____that has as much beauty as Cohen’s work , but in the world of music , Cohen is a rarity ,” US singer Jennifer Warnes told the Ausin American-Statesman newspaper . ‘ He describes things that go on inside a heart and what it feels like to be here.”
Along with his ____38___, Cohen’s dry , deep voice also helped his popularity . In 2006 he spoke with the NPR radio station about how he got his interesting voice ----____39____it was “500 tons of whiskey and a million cigarettes.”
But he never forgot to work on the _____40_____that made up his songs , even though he was most famous for his lyrics and voice.
31-35 H F I G J
36-40 D E C B K
Some people believe that greed and selfishness has become the basis of modern society, and we should return to the old traditions of family and community then we will have a better life. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the above opinion?
In this fast-paced world, many values are undergoing major changes. While people traditionally prioritize caring, sharing and generosity in life and work, modern people seem to be more self-absorbed and self-concerned.
Modern people act selfishly to survive the harsh competition of life. They say that it is a jungle out there. To survive, you have to fight with whatever means that come handy. Obviously greedy and selfishness go perfectly well with such ideas. In a company, employees do everything they can to get better pay and higher position, even at the cost of colleagues. We are in any way advocating any selfish conduct. It is just that people are pressured to act in a certain way due to outside influences.
In spite of common practice, it is hard to conclude that modern society is built on greed and selfishness, both of which are not newly invented vocabulary. In ancient times people also did greedy and selfish things though such behaviors were more condemned then. But we can not ignore the fact that people in the past lived a relatively more isolated life and faced less pressure compared with their modern counterparts.
Are we happier to share with others and be generous to them? There is no fixed answer either. Some people take great pleasure helping and giving to others while others feel happy doing the opposite. But I personally think that people should not be too selfish. Caring for others can actually encourage the development of a mutually beneficial relationship.
In conclusion, modern people appear to be more self-centered than those in the past due to strong outside pressure. However, we should encourage people to know the importance of being caring and generous and to build a mutually beneficial relationship with others.
Are Modern People Becoming More Selfish?
Main comparisons | Contexts |
__76__ are changing | In the past people put caring, sharing and generosity in the first ___77____. |
Nowadays, people seem to be more ____78____about themselves. | |
___79___are changing too. | People in the past appeared to be modest and self-effacing(谦让的). |
People may strive to achieve their own __80___ at the price of their coworkers. | |
The author’s understanding | |
___81____ for the changes in author’s eyes | Fierce __82___ and great __83___on modern people may be responsible for the changes. |
The author’s ___84____towards topic | A relationship which can ___85___ two sides should be established. |