Exam Tips 13

Form 5 Level Lesson 13 會考試期已經迫近，同學是否已經開始作準備呢？ Paper 1A 這份卷對同學要求 不高，但若果在對文法沒有太大要求的情況下同學仍未能取得好成績，那不是 相當可惜嗎？今次特訓練習讓大家再複習一次幾種 Paper 1A 有機會出的題型吧！

A discography of the devoting piano songstress Tori Amos (born Myra Ellen Amos on August 22, 1963) is an American pianist and singer-songwriter. She was at the forefront of a number of female singersongwriters in the early 1990s and is noteworthy as one of the few modern pop music stars to use a piano as her primary instrument. A. Little Earthquakes When the album was released in the UK in January 1992, it reached #14 and remained on the top 75 charts for 16 weeks. A month later, it was released in the USA to breakthrough critical success and also announced itself as a chart mainstay, despite peaking outside the Top 50 on the Billboard 200. The accompanying singles (along with "Me and a Gun" and "Silent All These Years" released in October 1991) were "China" (January 1992 UK), "Winter" (March 1992 UK/November 1992 US) and "Crucify" (May 1992 US/June 1992 UK), the US EP version of which featured covers of songs by artists including The Rolling Stones and Nirvana. B. Under the Pink Upon its release in January 1994, the album debuted at #1 in the UK on the back of the hit single "Cornflake Girl" (based on the novel Possessing the Secret of Joy by Alice Walker), and #12 in the US charts. Four songs were then released as singles from Under the Pink: "God" (January 1994), "Cornflake Girl" (a #4 single in the UK in January 1994), "Pretty Good Year" (her second UK Top 10 hit in March 1994) and "Past the Mission" (May 1994), which featured the vocal contribution of Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. C. Boys for Pele Boys for Pele was released in January 1996. Being the first own thorough production of the artist, it is also Amos's most successful transatlantic chart release, reaching UK #2 and US #2 upon its release at the height of her fame. Several singles were released from the album: "Caught a Lite Sneeze" (January 1996), "Talula" (March 1996), "Hey Jupiter" (July 1996), and a dance club remix of "In the Springtime of His Voodoo" (September 1996). The Armand Van Helden remix of "Professional Widow" became a massive club hit internationally, reaching #1 on the US dance charts and #1 in the UK.

D.

From the choirgirl hotel

Following Amos and Hawley's marriage on February 22, 1998, Atlantic released Amos's fourth solo album, From the choirgirl hotel, in May 1998. Many of the songs on the album dealt with her recent miscarriage. A departure from earlier records, it was much more lavishly produced, and the glossier sound fared well with audiences. The album reached UK #6 and US #5. Reviews were mostly favourable and praising of Amos's continued artistic style, and the album was generally well-received by Amos fans. Amos herself lists the album as her favorite. E. To Venus and Back The double album was released in September 1999 under the title To Venus and Back. This album featured overt dance music and electronica influences and a relatively subdued piano sound. The closing track, "1000 Oceans", (released as a single September 1999) was much closer in spirit to her early songs and, along with the more experimental singles "Bliss" (August 1999), "Glory of the '80s" (November 1999), and "Concertina" (February 2000) became a radio and chart hit. The album itself, priced more highly than previous releases due to its two-disc format, reached UK #22 and US #12, breaking her run of three consecutive UK Top 10 albums. F. Scarlet's Walk Described as a "sonic novel", the 18-track album proved to be a landmark for a variety of reasons. Thematically, the album explored Amos's alter ego, Scarlet, and her cross-country trip in early 2001. Through the songs, Amos explores the politics and history of America. The first single, "A Sorta Fairytale", (released September 2002) was a Top 10 Adult Contemporary hit in the US. The second single, "Taxi Ride", was an homage to the late make-up artist Kevyn Aucoin, a friend of Amos who died in May 2002. The third single, "Strange", was remixed with a country and western feel and almost became a radio staple before a Timo Maas dance remix of "Don't Make Me Come to Vegas" continued Amos's fortunes on the dance charts.

Answer the following questions using information from the above passage. (7 marks) Which album(s) … 1. is / are a two-disc release? 2. is / are the most beloved of the singer herself? 3. has / have more than 3 singles excluding the remix ones? 4. was the first time Tori Amos being the producer? 5. has a song which is written in memory of another person?

6. You have a friend who are currently interested in foreign culture, like western music, literature and history. He wants you to recommend an album which explores

the singer’s own living country. Which album would you recommend? Give reason for your answer. (3 marks)

7. There’s an album which features another singer. Which album is it? What song is it? Who is that singer featuring? (3 marks)

Please complete the following chart using information from the above passage. If no answers could be found, write ‘NA’. (18 marks) Album Title

Album release date (UK)

1st release single

UK chart position of album

Little Earthquakes Under the Pink Boys for Pele From the choirgirl hotel To Venus and back Scarlet’s Walk

Answer Key 1. 2. 3.

E 該段第一行 ‘the double album’意思是雙大碟，亦即是有兩張唱碟 D 該段最後一行 ‘Amos herself lists the album as her favorite.’ A, B, E A 包 括 "Me and a Gun", "Silent All These Years", "China", "Winter" 和 "Crucify" ， B 包 括 "God", "Cornflake Girl", "Pretty Good Year"和 "Past the Mission"，E 包括"1000 Oceans", "Bliss", "Glory of the '80s"和 "Concertina"。 4. C 該段第一行 ‘Being the first own thorough production of the artist’ 5. F 該段第五行 ‘The second single, "Taxi Ride", was an homage to the late make-up artist Kevyn Aucoin’ 6. Scarlet’s Walk, because the album is a ‘sonic novel’, and it thematically explores politics and history of America.

7. "Past the Mission" from Under the Pink, which features the vocal contribution of Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. 　　 Album release date 1st release single UK chart position (UK) of album Little Earthquakes January 1992 ‘Me and a Gun’ and #14 ‘Silent All These Years’ Under the Pink January 1994 ‘Cornflake Girl’ #1 Boys for Pele January 1996 ‘Caught a Lite #2 Sneeze’ From the choirgirl May 1998 NA #6 hotel To Venus and back September 1999 ‘Bliss’ #22 Scarlet’s Walk NA ‘A Sorta Fairytale’ NA Album Title

2 月作文題目 Task 2 為鼓勵同學寫作，《下載特訓練習》每月均提供作文題目。 Write about 250 words on one of the topics below. 1. Some suggests that reading can enrich your knowledge and let you understand yourself more. Yet, others claim it is more effective to experience yourself. Which statement do you agree? Justify your view. 2. “Some people believe that teenagers trying to be trendy, like dying hair and wearing several ear-rings on one ear, means going astray (誤入歧途).” Do you agree with this statement? Give reasons and examples.