When most people are asked to name their favorite flavor of ice cream, the decision often comes down to chocolate or vanilla. In the world of rock and roll, the question is as equally basic for guitar players choosing an electric instrument: Gibson Les Paul or Fender Stratocaster?
The debate over which guitar is superior has raged since the very beginnings of rock and roll. Famous guitarists who have chosen the Les Paul, or "Paul" for short, include Taiwan's legendary rock star, Wu Bai, as well as the guitarist for Linkin Park. Those who prefer the Stratocaster, or "Strat," include Sting and the late Jimi Hendrix. Even teenagers practicing alone in their bedrooms are prepared to argue in favor of the Strat or the Paul, regardless of whether they can afford to buy either instrument.
The Les Paul is the instrument of choice for guitarists who prefer a sound that's thick, heavy, or fat. The Strat, on the other hand, appeals to players who want a sound that's bluesy or "spacey." When the first Strat was produced in 1954, it became an instant classic. The earliest Strats now command up to US$25,000 when placed on the market. Vintage Pauls are even more collectable, occasionally fetching up to a quarter of a million dollars. Also, still in demand is Les Paul himself, the man whose design was the basis for the Paul, and who still plays in public every week at the age of 90.
——by Lucien Crowder
1. In rock and roll, people argue about _____.
(A) which ice cream is cooler
(B) who has the best haircut
(C) which electric guitar is the best
(D) why guitars are so expensive
2. What do teenagers that are into guitars and famous guitarists have in common?
(A) They will all become fairly wealthy.
(B) They are dedicated to becoming the best.
(C) They will stop at nothing to get the guitar of their choice.
(D) They enjoy debating the superiority of the guitars they like or want.
3. Which answer is closest in meaning to the fifth sentence in the last paragraph?
(A) Vintage Pauls are no longer produced and they are hard to come by.
(B) Vintage Pauls are desired by many and can be pricey.
(C) Vintage Pauls are known for their sound that can be hard to put a price on.
(D) Vintage Pauls are demanding to care for because of their high price tags.
1. debate n. 辯論（常與介詞 over 並用）
例: The debate over independence divided the country.
（關於獨立的爭論分化了那個國家。）
2. come down to N/V-ing 歸結為……
例: The man's decision came down to being rich or being happy.
（那男人的選擇總歸在於他要富有或是快樂。）
3. rage vi. 激烈進行；肆虐
例: In Paris, fires raged as many youths took to the streets to riot.
（在巴黎，許多年輕人走上街頭暴動而引發大火肆虐。）
4. for short 簡稱
例: My name is Marcus, but you can call me Marc for short.
（我的名字是馬克斯，但你可以簡稱我馬克。）
5. in favor of... 贊成／支持……
例: George's daughters were in favor of eating hamburgers for dinner.
（喬治的女兒們贊成晚餐吃漢堡。）
6. N + of choice 首選的／精選的……
例: This is the restaurant of choice for movie stars and pop singers.
（這是電影明星和流行歌手偏好的餐廳。）
7. appeal to sb 吸引某人
例: Why does this movie appeal to you?
（為什麼這部電影會吸引你？）
8. command vt. 值得……價錢
例: The diamond ring should command a higher price than we expected.
（那只鑽戒應該比我們想像中更值錢。）
9. fetch vt. 售得（若干價錢）
例: Queen Elizabeth's diamonds are expected to fetch over one million dollars at the auction.
（依莉莎白女王的鑽石在拍賣場的價格預估會超過一百萬元。）
10. in demand 需要的；受歡迎
例: Mr. Lai was in demand now that his face was all over the news.
（賴先生現在很受歡迎，所有的新聞裡都能看到他。）
11. be into sth 對……（極）有興趣
例: Last year, Catherine was really into her Barbie dolls.
（去年凱薩琳瘋狂迷上芭比娃娃。）
12. be dedicated to N/V-ing 致力於（做）……
例: The fire fighters were dedicated to rescuing the people from the burning building.
（消防隊員們盡全力搶救身陷失火大樓的人們。）
13. stop at nothing to V 任何事都阻擋不了（某人）做……
例: Doris would stop at nothing to gain the love of her co-worker, Aaron.
（任何事都阻擋不了桃樂絲贏得她同事亞倫的愛。）
14. come by... 得到／獲得……
例: With politicians, sometimes the truth is very hard to come by.
（因為有政客，有時我們難以得知真相。）
1. vanilla n. 香草
2. legendary a. 傳說中的，傳奇的
3. late a. 已故的
4. bluesy a. 憂鬱的；藍調的
5. spacey a. 迷濛的
6. classic n. 經典（的事物）
7. vintage a. 上等的；典型的
8. collectable a. 適合收集的
9. occasionally adv. 偶爾
10. fairly adv. 相當地
11. superiority n. 優等；優勢
12. price tag n. 價格標籤；標價
1. be superior/inferior to... 優於／劣於……
2. be prepared to V 準備好（做）……
= be ready to V
3. regardless of... 不管……
4. on the other hand 另一方面
5. up to... 高達……
6. a quarter of... 四分之一的……
7. in public 在公開場合
8. have...in common 有……共通點
1. 那對夫妻買那輛車時，是以顏色和價格來選擇的。
When the couple bought the car, their decision _____ _____ _____ color and price.
2. 在藝術展中，這幅畫的價格可能飆升到五萬美金。
This painting may _____ _____ _____ $50,000 at the art show.
答案: 1. came, down, to 2. fetch, up, to
大部分人被問到最愛的冰淇淋口味時，答案通常是巧克力或香草。在搖滾樂界，吉他手選擇電子樂器時，問題也是一樣簡單：吉布森•萊斯•保羅或是芬達•史崔特卡斯特？
關於哪個牌子的吉他較好的爭論，早在搖滾樂發展初期就已甚囂塵上。選擇萊斯•保羅（簡稱保羅）的著名吉他手包括台灣的傳奇搖滾歌手伍佰，及聯合公園的吉他手。而偏愛史崔特卡斯特（簡稱史崔特）的則有史汀和已故的吉米•罕崔克斯。就連在自己房間裡練習彈吉他的青少年，也都準備要選邊站支持史崔特或保羅，不管他們買不買得起。
萊斯•保羅對偏好厚重渾圓音質的吉他手來說是箇中精選。而史崔特則吸引想要呈現藍調風味或迷濛音色的樂手。第一把史崔特吉他在1954年問世後，立刻成為經典。早期生產的史崔特吉他，目前在市面上要價高達兩萬五千美元。上等的保羅吉他則更有收藏價值，價格偶爾會飆漲到二十五萬美元。設計保羅吉他基本款的萊斯•保羅本人則依舊受歡迎，他以九十歲高齡每週持續在公開場合演奏。
標準答案: 1. (C) 2. (D) 3. (B)
from 常春藤解析英語雜誌
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