The Tango's Dance through History 热情的探戈
by Rebecca A. Fratzke
Known as the dance of love and romance, tango was created in African communities of Buenos Aires, Argentina. From there, it hit Europe and the US and _(1)_ popularity and complexity. Though it has gone through several declines and revivals over the years, today tango is as popular and alluring _(2)_.
The word "tango" is said to _(3)_ the Nigerian language Ibibio word tamgu, which means "to dance." By 1911, "tango" was used in the US for any dance with a 2/4 (念成 two-four) or 4/4 (念成 four-four) _(4)_, even if it didn't include actual tango steps.However, true tango was still being developed in Argentina as was the music that goes _(5)_ the dance. Its unique, dramatic sound was created over the years from American, European, and African styles. It was often considered too _(6)_ at the time the dance first became popular. Yet, it matched the intimate moves of the dance well.
After millions of European immigrants came to Argentina after the turn of the century, tango spread _(7)_. Many of these immigrants brought the dance to Europe on their return. In Argentina, tango had been enjoyed mostly by people in the lower and working classesz, but when it reached Europe, its popularity changed its _(8)_. The first tango craze was in Paris as Argentinean orchestras and dancers traveled through Europe. By 1913, tango was _(9)_ in England as "the most graceful and beautiful dance."
The Great Depression caused a decline of tango in Argentina, but it was _(10)_
revived as a source of national pride. Despite its many ups and downs, tango has survived as an art form and as one of Argentina's major cultural gifts to the world.
(A) rhythm (B) image (C) along with (D) gained in (E) like wildfire
(F) lively (G) as ever (H) later (I) described (J) originate from
原来如此
1. From there, it hit Europe and the US and gained in popularity and complexity.
理由:
a. 空格前有过去式动词 hit 与对等连接词 and，得知应置入过去式动词或动词词组以形成对等。
b. 选项中符合上述条件的有 (D) gained in（增加）与 (I) described（描述），但由空格后的名词 popularity（流行）得知，应置入 gained in，以形成下列固定用法：
gain in popularity 开始流行∕受欢迎
例: Disco dancing may someday gain in popularity once again.
（迪斯科舞蹈或许有一天会再度流行起来。）
c. 根据上述，故选 (D)。
2. ...today tango is as popular and alluring as ever.
理由:
a. 本空格测试下列固定用法：
as + adj./adv. + as ever 与往常一样……
例: John is trying to be nicer, but he's still as sarcastic as ever.
（约翰试着好好待人，但还是如往常一样爱挖苦人。）
b. 空格前有副词 as（一样地）及形容词 popular and alluring（受欢迎和吸引人的），得知应选 (G)。
3. The word "tango" is said to originate from the Nigerian language Ibibio word tamgu, which means "to dance."
理由:
a. 空格前有不定词的 to，得知应置入原形动词（词组）。
b. (J) originate from（起源于）为原形动词词组，置入后亦符合语意，故为正选。
c. originate from... 起源于……
例:The rhythms of jazz music originate from African tribal music.
（爵士乐的节奏起源于非洲的部落音乐。）
4. By 1911, "tango" was used in the US for any dance with a 2/4 or 4/4 rhythm, even if it didn't include actual tango steps.
理由:
a. 空格前有不定冠词 a 及形容词 2/4 or 4/4（二四拍或四四拍的），得知应置入名词。
b. 选项中为名词的有 (A) rhythm（节奏）与 (B) image（形象），但此处指的应是二四拍或四四拍的『节奏』，故选 (A)。
5. However, true tango was still being developed in Argentina as was the music that goes along with the dance.
理由:
a. 空格前为不及物动词 goes，其后有名词 the dance（舞蹈），得知此处应置入介词，方能接受词 the dance。
b. 选项 (C) along with 为介词词组，且置入后形成下列固定用法：
go along with... 伴随……；附和……
例: Red wine always goes along with steak the best.
（红酒向来是搭配牛排的最佳酒类。）
例:Everyone went along with the boss' idea, even though they didn't agree with it.
（每个人都附和老板的想法，尽管他们心里并不赞同。）
c. 根据上述，故选 (C)。
6. It was often considered too lively at the time the dance first became popular.
理由:
a. 空格前有 was considered（被视为）及副词 too（太过于），得知空格应置入形容词，以符合下列固定用法：
be considered (to be) + too + adj. 被视为太过于……
例: The punishment was considered too light by the victim.
（受害者认为对罪犯的惩罚太轻了。）
b. 选项 (F) lively（活泼的）为形容词，置入后亦符合语意，故选之。
7. After millions of European immigrants came to Argentina after the turn of the century, tango spread like wildfire.
理由:
a. 本空格测试下列固定词组：
spread like wildfire 迅速地传开
例:The flu spread like wildfire in my school, and all my friends got sick.
（流感在学校里快速蔓延，我的朋友全都生病了。）
b. 根据上述，故选 (E)。
8. ...but when it reached Europe, its popularity changed its image.
理由:
a. 空格前有所有格 its，得知本空格应置入名词。
b. 选项中为名词的仅剩 (B) image（形象），置入后亦符合语意，故为正选。
9. By 1913, tango was described in England as "the most graceful and beautiful dance."
理由:
a. 空格前有主词 tango（探戈）及 be 动词 was，得知空格可置入名词、形容词、现在分词或过去分词。
b. 选项中仅剩 (I) described（被描述）为过去分词，且置入后与其后的 as 形成下列固定用法：
be described as... 被描述成……
= be depicted as...
例:Nathan has been described as the new Elvis.
（纳森被描述成新一代猫王。）
c. 根据上述，故选 (I)。
10. ...but it was later revived as a source of national pride.
理由:
a. 空格前有主词 it（= tango）及动词的被动式 was revived（再度流行），为完整的句构，得知空格应置入副词。
b. 选项中仅 (H) later（稍后、后来）为副词，置入空格后，表探戈虽在阿根廷一度没落，但『后来』便以国家骄傲来源的姿态东山再起，语意通顺，故为正选。
精解字词词组
1. go through... 经历……（= experience）
例: My grandma has gone through some hard times during her life.
（我奶奶一生中经历过一些艰苦的日子。）
2.decline n. & vi. 下降；衰退 & vt. 婉拒
on the decline 衰退中；减少中
例: Smoking is on the decline in most Western nations.
（大多数西方国家的抽烟人口正逐渐减少。）
例: Amy declined my invitation to the dance.
（爱咪拒绝了和我共赴舞会的邀约。）
3. dramatic a. 戏剧性的
例: Your screenplay is dramatic and filled with intriguing characters.
（你的电影剧本富有戏剧性，而且充满了吸引人的角色。）
4.match vt. 符合，配合
例: The boy's dark clothes matched his depressed mood.
（那个男孩的深色衣服符合他沮丧的心情。）
5. the turn of the century 世纪交接之时
例:This town was founded around the turn of the 18th century.
（这座城镇建于 18 世纪交接之际。）
6. craze n. 一时的狂热
例: America experienced a hula-hoop craze during the 1950s.
（1950 年代，美国曾掀起一股呼拉圈狂热。）
7. eviver vt. 使复苏；使再流行
例: We must do something to revive our city's economy.
（为了振兴本市的经济，我们必须有所作为。）
8.Despite + N/V-ing , S + V 尽管……，……
= In spite of + N/V-ing, S + V
例: Despite his good looks, Edward could not find a girlfriend.
（尽管爱德华长得很帅，他依然交不到女朋友。）
9.ups and downs 起起伏伏
例: Life involves a lot of ups and downs; sometimes we're happy, and sometimes we're not.
（人生有起有落，有时欢喜，有时则不然。）
单字小铺
1. tango n. 探戈 & vi. 跳探戈舞
It takes two to tango. 要两个人才能跳探戈；（喻）一个巴掌拍不响。
2. popularity n. 普及，流行
3. complexity n. 复杂
4. revival n. 复兴，再流行
5. alluring a. 迷人的，吸引人的
6. step n. 步伐，脚步
7. intimate a. 亲密的
8. working class n. 劳动阶级
9. orchestra n. 管弦乐队
10. graceful a. 优美的
11. Great Depression （1930 年代的）经济大萧条
depression n. 经济不景气时期
12. source n. 来源
中文翻译＆标准答案
探戈是众所周知的爱情与浪漫之舞，发源于阿根廷布宜诺斯艾利斯的非洲小区。从那里为起点，探戈席卷欧洲与美国，越来越受欢迎，也越趋复杂化。虽然多年来经历多次兴衰，如今探戈就和往常一样受欢迎又吸引人。
tango 一字据说是来自奈及利亚的伊比比奥语中的 tamgu，指的是『跳舞』。到了 1911 年，就算不含任何探戈舞步，任何具有二四拍或四四拍节奏的舞蹈在美国都被称为探戈。不过，真正的探戈在阿根廷仍不断地发展，连同探戈的衬乐也是如此。多年来，美国、欧洲与非洲风格融合成它独特且戏剧化的音乐。在一开始流行的时候，探戈音乐通常被认为太过活泼。不过它却与舞蹈中的亲密动作巧妙配合。
数百万名欧洲移民在二十世纪之交抵达阿根廷后，探戈便迅速流传开来。许多移民回国时将探戈带回欧洲。在阿根廷，大部分都是低下阶层或劳动阶层的人在跳探戈，但到了欧洲，其受欢迎的程度让它的形象改头换面。第一股探戈热潮发生于巴黎，当时阿根廷管弦乐团与舞者在整个欧洲巡回演出。到了 1913 年，探戈在英国被描述成『最优雅美丽的舞蹈』。
经济大萧条使探戈在阿根廷一度没落，但后来便以国家骄傲来源的姿态东山再起。尽管经过许多起起伏伏，探戈以艺术形式流传下来，也是阿根廷赋予世界的一项重要文化献礼。
标准答案: 1. (D) 2. (G) 3. (J) 4. (A) 5. (C) 6. (F) 7. (E) 8. (B) 9. (I) 10. (H)
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