第二部分：阅读理解（共20小题：每小题2.5分，满分50分）

阅读下列短文，从每题的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项。

A

Patti Page, the top-selling female artist of the 1950s with more than 100 million records sold, died on January 2nd, 2013, when she was 85. She was one of the most beloved singers of the post-war era. Take her Tennessee Waltz for example, it sold more than 10 million copies and was her biggest hit.

Born in Claremore, Oklahoma, a small town near Tulsa, Page originally dreamed of a career in commercial art. Her first job in the art department at a local radio station soon led to performing on her own 15-minute programme.

At the age of 20, Page was discovered by big-band leader Jack Rael, who quit his job to become her manager. In 1948, she signed her first recording contract with Mercury Records and two years later enjoyed her first hit record. She stayed with Mercury for the next 14 years and recorded hit after hit including: With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming, and Old Cape Cod.

Her last hit was Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte, recorded for the Bette Davis movie of the same name. And then, there was Doggie in the Window. The creative tune was a huge hit, but with its repeated barking sounds and silly lyrics(歌词), the song has been used by many people as an example of all that was wrong with pop music in the early 1950s.

Throughout the 1950s, Patti Page made regular appearances on television variety shows and in 1957 she was chosen to host the musical programme, The Big Record. The following year, Page appeared in her own CBS television series, The Patti Page Show. She continued to record and perform into the 21st century, most recently releasing an album of songs for children, a Christmas record, and a new “best of” collection.

Besides music, Patti Page did a bit of acting. She co-starred with the Oscar-winning Burt Lancaster in Elmer Gantry, and also starred on stage in the musical play Annie Get Your Gun.

36. According to the passage, Patti Page ________．

A．wanted to be a singer as a child

B．was born in a small town in 1927

C．was known mainly for her acting skills

D．started her work as a TV programme hostess

37. According to the passage, which one of her following recorded songs was criticized?

A．Old Cape Cod.

B．Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte.

C．Doggie in the Window.

D．With My Eyes Wide Open, I'm Dreaming. 

38. Tennessee Waltz is mentioned in the passage in order to show that ________．

A．Patti Page was a beloved singer

B．Patti Page's songs were successful

C．Patti Page was the top-selling female artist

D．Patti Page was good at recording songs

39. We can know from the passage that Patti Page ________．

A．got to know Jack Rael in 1945

B．left Mercury Records at the age of 35

C．appeared in The Patti Page Show in 1957

D．wrote many songs for children in her late life

40. It is inferred from the passage that ________．

A．Patti Page gave up singing in public in her late life

B．Patti Page's gift in art began to be shown in her teens

C．Patti Page's great success was due to her hard work and others' help

D．Patti Page was not only a successful singer but also a successful actress
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