C. The achievements of Louis Armstrong.

D. The development of jazz and its best musician.

答案:D

解析:本文讲述了爵士乐的起源、发源地以及具有代表意义的音乐家。

　　American country music is also known as country western music. It has a very long history. It comes from the folk songs of immigrants(移民) from Britain.

　　Country music uses simple music and words to express everyday feelings such as loneliness, love, and sadness. That is to say, country music describes life. It talks about friends and enemies, trucks and roads, farms and crops. People in many parts of the world like country music, because everyone can understand what the music is about.

　　Country western music became popular first among cowboys (牛仔) in the American west countryside. Cowboys had to take care of cows day and night. When they were alone with the cows, they often sang beautiful and peaceful songs to calm the animals and to overcome their own fear. They were not well-educated so they sang about their daily life in very simple words. They played the guitars, the violins and other instruments. In the south of America, many people added instruments from their homes, like bottles and spoons. When cowboys visited their friends and families on holidays like Thanksgiving, they usually sang and played country western music.

　　In recent years, many musicians have made country western music a little different from the one in the past. These changes make the songs sound even better. Today singers such as Carth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, Eddie Rabbitt, LeAnn Rimes, Randy Travis and a group called Alabama are singing and playing in different styles. They have brought more and more fans from all over the world.

8. According to the passage, people like American country music because 　　　.

A. It has a long history

B. It comes from Europe

C. It is sung by cowboys

D. It is easy to understand

答案:D

解析:根据第二段中的"People in many parts of the world like country music, because everyone can understand what the music is about. "可知, 大家喜欢乡村音乐是因为它通俗易懂。

9. The underlined part "calm the animals" means "make the animals become 　　　".

A. sad and lonely B. quiet and relaxed

C. angry and wild D. upset and scared

答案:B

解析:根据第三段中的"peaceful songs"和"overcome their own fear"可知选B项。

10. Which of the following is mentioned in the passage?

A. Early immigrants lived a very simple life.

B. Many country music singers are not well-educated.

C. Cowboys usually played country western music on holidays. 　

D. In the west of America, cowboys added instruments from their homes.

答案:C