中考英语报刊阅读

2017年9月3日

The Rap of China

What is the hottest catchphrase (流行语) this summer? It probably is: “Can you freestyle?”

In the music program The Rap of China (《中国有嘻哈》), judge Kris Wu asked this question to the singers many times. The show is trying to find the most talented rappers (说唱歌手) in China. But do you know what rap and freestyle are?

Rap, a style of hip-hop music, usually focuses more on the lyrics than music. Rappers use a lot of slang (俚语) in their lyrics. And importantly, they make them rhyme (押韵).The music was created during the 1980s in the United States. It first became popular among young black people living in poor areas of New York City.

Many rap songs are about love, jobs and peace. But sometimes singers also express their anger through rapping. It’s true that some songs include bad things like drugs (毒品), violence and rude language. These songs are not suitable for children.

Rappers not only write songs, they also do“freestyle” rapping. They think up lyrics randomly (即兴地) and rap them out. Only rappers with talent and experience are good at it.

US rapper Eminem can freestyle amazingly well. There is even a movie called 8 Mile telling of how he wins a freestyle rapping competition.

Jin Au-Yeung, also known as “MC Jin”, is a Chinese freestyle rapp er. Some say he is the best in China. You can also watch him on The Rap of China.Rapping in style

It’s not hard to recognize rappers. They have their own fashion style. If you see a person wearing a baseball cap, large jewelry, brightly colored clothes and baggy (松松垮垮的) jeans, he or she might be a rapper or fan of hip-hop.

Choose the answer:

1. The goal of the TV program The Rap of China is to _______.

A. teach people the hottest catchphrase

B. look for the best lyrics instead of melodies

C. teach rappers how to use slang in lyrics

D. find the most talented rappers in China

2. What makes rap music different from other styles of music?

A. It cares more about lyrics than melodies.

B. Black people in the US created it.

C. It includes a lot about love and anger.

D. It is not suitable for children.

3. What does the underlined phrase “think up ” probably mean in Paragraph 6?

A. 想出

B. 想起

C. 想象

D. 认为

4. Who is the movie 8 Mile about?

A. Kris Wu.

B. Eminem.

C. Jin Au-Yeung.

D. Black people.

5. What changes do you think the TV program will bring?

A. Freestyle rapping will become the most popular style of music in China.

B. China will see fewer real talented and

experienced rappers.