Luis國際資訊事務所

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 (唸成 two-four) or 4/4 (唸成 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

1. From there, it hit Europe and the US and gained in popularity and complexity.
理由:
a. 空格前有過去式動詞 hit 與對等連接詞 and，得知應置入過去式動詞或動詞片語以形成對等。
b. 選項中符合上述條件的有 (D) gained in（增加）與 (I) described（描述），但由空格後的名詞 popularity（流行）得知，應置入 gained in，以形成下列固定用法：
gain in popularity　　開始流行∕受歡迎
例: Disco dancing may someday gain in popularity once again.
（迪斯可舞蹈或許有一天會再度流行起來。）
c. 根據上述，故選 (D)。

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2. ...today tango is as popular and alluring as ever.
理由:
a. 本空格測試下列固定用法：
as + adj./adv. + as ever　　與往常一樣……
例: John is trying to be nicer, but he's still as sarcastic as ever.
（約翰試著好好待人，但還是如往常一樣愛挖苦人。）
b. 空格前有副詞 as（一樣地）及形容詞 popular and alluring（受歡迎和吸引人的），得知應選 (G)。

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3. The word "tango" is said to originate from the Nigerian language Ibibio word tamgu, which means "to dance."
理由:
a. 空格前有不定詞的 to，得知應置入原形動詞（片語）。
b. (J) originate from（起源於）為原形動詞片語，置入後亦符合語意，故為正選。
c. originate from...　　起源於……
例:The rhythms of jazz music originate from African tribal music.
（爵士樂的節奏起源於非洲的部落音樂。）

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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. 空格前有不定冠詞 a 及形容詞 2/4 or 4/4（二四拍或四四拍的），得知應置入名詞。
b. 選項中為名詞的有 (A) rhythm（節奏）與 (B) image（形象），但此處指的應是二四拍或四四拍的『節奏』，故選 (A)。

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5. However, true tango was still being developed in Argentina as was the music that goes along with the dance.
理由:
a. 空格前為不及物動詞 goes，其後有名詞 the dance（舞蹈），得知此處應置入介詞，方能接受詞 the dance。
b. 選項 (C) along with 為介詞片語，且置入後形成下列固定用法：
go along with...　　伴隨……；附和……
例: Red wine always goes along with steak the best.
（紅酒向來是搭配牛排的最佳酒類。）
例:Everyone went along with the boss' idea, even though they didn't agree with it.
（每個人都附和老闆的想法，儘管他們心裡並不贊同。）
c. 根據上述，故選 (C)。

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6. It was often considered too lively at the time the dance first became popular.
理由:
a. 空格前有 was considered（被視為）及副詞 too（太過於），得知空格應置入形容詞，以符合下列固定用法：
be considered (to be) + too + adj.　　被視為太過於……
例: The punishment was considered too light by the victim.
（受害者認為對罪犯的懲罰太輕了。）
b. 選項 (F) lively（活潑的）為形容詞，置入後亦符合語意，故選之。

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7. After millions of European immigrants came to Argentina after the turn of the century, tango spread like wildfire.
理由:
a. 本空格測試下列固定片語：
spread like wildfire　　迅速地傳開
例:The flu spread like wildfire in my school, and all my friends got sick.
（流感在學校裡快速蔓延，我的朋友全都生病了。）
b. 根據上述，故選 (E)。

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8. ...but when it reached Europe, its popularity changed its image.
理由:
a. 空格前有所有格 its，得知本空格應置入名詞。
b. 選項中為名詞的僅剩 (B) image（形象），置入後亦符合語意，故為正選。

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9. By 1913, tango was described in England as "the most graceful and beautiful dance."
理由:
a. 空格前有主詞 tango（探戈）及 be 動詞 was，得知空格可置入名詞、形容詞、現在分詞或過去分詞。
b. 選項中僅剩 (I) described（被描述）為過去分詞，且置入後與其後的 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.
（納森被描述成新一代貓王。）
c. 根據上述，故選 (I)。

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10. ...but it was later revived as a source of national pride.
理由:
a. 空格前有主詞 it（= tango）及動詞的被動式 was revived（再度流行），為完整的句構，得知空格應置入副詞。
b. 選項中僅 (H) later（稍後、後來）為副詞，置入空格後，表探戈雖在阿根廷一度沒落，但『後來』便以國家驕傲來源的姿態東山再起，語意通順，故為正選。

1. go through...　　經歷……（= experience）
例: My grandma has gone through some hard times during her life.
（我奶奶一生中經歷過一些艱苦的日子。）

2.decline n. & vi. 下降；衰退 & vt. 婉拒
on the decline　　衰退中；減少中
例: Smoking is on the decline in most Western nations.
（大多數西方國家的抽煙人口正逐漸減少。）
例: Amy declined my invitation to the dance.
（愛咪拒絕了和我共赴舞會的邀約。）

3. dramatic a. 戲劇性的
例: Your screenplay is dramatic and filled with intriguing characters.
（你的電影劇本富有戲劇性，而且充滿了吸引人的角色。）
4.match vt. 符合，配合
例: The boy's dark clothes matched his depressed mood.
（那個男孩的深色衣服符合他沮喪的心情。）

5. the turn of the century　　世紀交接之時
例:This town was founded around the turn of the 18th century.
（這座城鎮建於 18 世紀交接之際。）

6. craze n. 一時的狂熱
例: America experienced a hula-hoop craze during the 1950s.
（1950 年代，美國曾掀起一股呼拉圈狂熱。）

7. eviver vt. 使復甦；使再流行
例: We must do something to revive our city's economy.
（為了振興本市的經濟，我們必須有所作為。）

8.Despite + N/V-ing , S + V　　儘管……，……
= In spite of + N/V-ing, S + V
例: Despite his good looks, Edward could not find a girlfriend.
（儘管愛德華長得很帥，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，有時歡喜，有時則不然。）

1. tango n. 探戈 & vi. 跳探戈舞
It takes two to tango.　　要兩個人才能跳探戈；（喻）一個巴掌拍不響。
2. popularity n. 普及，流行
3. complexity n. 複雜
4. revival n. 復興，再流行
5. alluring a. 迷人的，吸引人的
6. step n. 步伐，腳步
7. intimate a. 親密的
8. working class n. 勞動階級
9. orchestra n. 管弦樂隊
10. graceful a. 優美的
11. Great Depression　　（1930 年代的）經濟大蕭條
depression n. 經濟不景氣時期
12. source n. 來源

探戈是眾所周知的愛情與浪漫之舞，發源於阿根廷布宜諾斯艾利斯的非洲社區。從那裡為起點，探戈席捲歐洲與美國，越來越受歡迎，也越趨複雜化。雖然多年來經歷多次興衰，如今探戈就和往常一樣受歡迎又吸引人。

tango 一字據說是來自奈及利亞的伊比比奧語中的 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節奏的舞蹈在美國都被稱為探戈。不過，真正的探戈在阿根廷仍不斷地發展，連同探戈的襯樂也是如此。多年來，美國、歐洲與非洲風格融合成它獨特且戲劇化的音樂。在一開始流行的時候，探戈音樂通常被認為太過活潑。不過它卻與舞蹈中的親密動作巧妙配合。

數百萬名歐洲移民在二十世紀之交抵達阿根廷後，探戈便迅速流傳開來。許多移民回國時將探戈帶回歐洲。在阿根廷，大部分都是低下階層或勞動階層的人在跳探戈，但到了歐洲，其受歡迎的程度讓它的形象改頭換面。第一股探戈熱潮發生於巴黎，當時阿根廷管弦樂團與舞者在整個歐洲巡迴演出。到了 1913 年，探戈在英國被描述成『最優雅美麗的舞蹈』。

經濟大蕭條使探戈在阿根廷一度沒落，但後來便以國家驕傲來源的姿態東山再起。儘管經過許多起起伏伏，探戈以藝術形式流傳下來，也是阿根廷賦予世界的一項重要文化獻禮。

標準答案:　1. (D)　2. (G)　3. (J)　4. (A)　5. (C)　6. (F)　7. (E)　8. (B)　9. (I)　10. (H)