Question

[Dương Minh]

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions.

            Of all modern instruments, the violin is apparently one of the simplest. It consist in essence of a hollow, varnished wooden sound box, or resonator, and a long neck covered with a fingerboard, along which four strings are stretched at high tension. The beauty of design, shape, and decoration is no accident, the proportions of the instrument are determined entirely by acoustical considerations. Its simplicity of appearance is deceptive. About 70 parts are involved in the construction of a violin. Its tone and its outstanding range of expressiveness make it an ideal solo instrument. No less important, however, is its role as an orchestral and chamber instrument In I combination with the larger and deeper-sounding members of the same family, the violins form the nucleusof the modem symphony orchestra.

The violin has been in existence since about 1550. Its importance as an instrument in its own right dates from the early 1600’s, when it first became standard in Italian opera orchestras. Its stature as an orchestral instrument was raised further when in 1626 Louis XIII of France established at his court the orchestra known as Les vinq-quatre violons du Roy (The King's 24 Violins), which was to become widely famous later in the century.

In its early history, the violin had a dull and rather quiet tone resulting from the fact that the strings were thick and were attached to the body of the instrument very loosely. During the eighteenth and nineteenth century exciting technical changes were inspired by such composer-violinists as Vivaldi and Tartini. Their instrumental compositions demanded a fuller, clearer, and more brilliant tone that was produced by using thinner strings and a far higher string tension. Small changes had to be made to the violin's internal structure and to the fingerboard so that they could withstand the extra strain. Accordingly, a higher standard of performance was achieved, in terms of both facility and interpretation. Left-hand technique was considerably elaborated, and new fingering patterns on the fingerboard were developed for very high notes.

What is the main idea presented in paragraph 3?

A. The violin had reached the height of its popularity by the middle of the eighteenth century.

B. The violin has been modified to fit its evolving musical functions.

C. The technique of playing the violin has remained essentially the same since the 1600's.

D. The violin is probably the best known and most widely distributed musical instrument in the world.

Answer 1

[Nguyen Hoang Hai]

Đáp án B

Ý chính được trình bày trong đoạn 3 là gì?

A. Các violon đã đạt tới đỉnh cao của sự nổi tiếng của nó vào giữa thế kỷ thứ mười tám.

B. Các violon đã được sửa đổi để phù hợp với phát triển các chức năng âm nhạc của mình.

C. Các kỹ thuật chơi đàn vĩ cầm đã cơ bản vẫn giống nhau từ những năm 1600.

D. Các violon có lẽ là nhạc cụ nổi tiếng nhất và rộng rãi nhất phân phối trên thế giới.

Dẫn chứng: Accordingly, a higher standard of performance was achieved, in terms of both facility and interpretation.