在備考托福閱讀考試時,，掌握相關背景知識將大大提升你的閱讀速度和答題效率。本文將為大家介紹“托福閱讀考試背景知識學習之The roots of jazz”,，希望能幫助你在考試中取得好成績,。

The Complete History of Jazz

The Roots of Jazz

The folk songs and plantation dance music of African Americans played a significant role in the development of early jazz music, which was prevalent in the Southern United States during the late 19th century.

Ragtime emerged in the late 1890s from the St. Louis area and quickly became the most popular music genre across the United States. Characterized by its energetic and syncopated rhythms, ragtime primarily featured piano compositions that emphasized formal structure.

The blues has always been an integral part of jazz music, particularly in the American South. Its somber scale and simple, repetitive harmonies have greatly influenced the essence of jazz. Jazz musicians have long utilized the blues as a foundation for improvisation.

Early Jazz

Jazz as we know it likely originated in New Orleans around the early 1900s. The unique New Orleans jazz style evolved from local musical traditions, including band music for black funeral processions and street parades. This style is often referred to as classic jazz, traditional jazz, or Dixieland jazz today. Notable early jazz figures included cornetists Buddy Bolden and King Oliver, trumpeter Louis Armstrong, saxophonist Sidney Bechet, and pianist Jelly Roll Morton.

Jazz spread rapidly from New Orleans to other regions. Fate Marable led a band that performed on riverboats along the Mississippi River, while King Oliver moved to Chicago, and Jelly Roll Morton toured the nation. A group of white musicians formed the Original Dixieland Jazz Band in New Orleans, later playing in Chicago and traveling to New York City. They made the first jazz phonograph recordings in 1917. Mamie Smith's recording of "Crazy Blues" in 1920 further popularized various jazz styles among a broad audience.

The 1920s

The 1920s are often referred to as the golden age of jazz or the jazz age. The advent of commercial radio stations during this decade allowed live performances by an increasing number of jazz musicians to reach a wider audience. Key cities for jazz included New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, Detroit, and New York City.

A group of young musicians from Chicago's Austin High School developed a unique improvisational style known as "Chicago style" jazz. This group included trumpeters Jimmy McPartland and Muggsy Spanier, cornetist Bix Beiderbecke, clarinetists Frank Teschemacher and Benny Goodman, and many others. Their music showcased harmonic innovation and technical prowess, particularly in the case of Goodman.

In New York City, James P. Johnson popularized stride piano, a new style derived from ragtime. In stride piano, the left hand alternates between single notes and chords while the right hand plays melodies and rhythms. Johnson's influence extended to renowned jazz pianists like Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

Fletcher Henderson was a pioneering figure in big band jazz. In 1923, he organized a jazz band into sections of brass, reeds, and rhythm instruments. His arranger, Don Redman, mastered the scoring techniques for big bands. Various Henderson bands throughout the 1920s and 1930s featured legendary jazz musicians, including Louis Armstrong and saxophonists Benny Carter and Coleman Hawkins.

通過積累這些背景知識，托?？忌粌H可以提高閱讀理解能力,，還能在考試中更自信地應對相關內容。希望大家在備考過程中多加練習,，提升自己的英語水平,，最終在托福考試中取得理想的成績,。

The Historical Background of Jazz Music ??

Jazz music, a genre that has captivated audiences worldwide, has a rich history that is deeply intertwined with the cultural fabric of the United States. Originating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, jazz emerged from African American communities in New Orleans, Louisiana. This vibrant city, known for its diverse cultural influences, played a crucial role in shaping the sound and style of jazz.

Roots of Jazz ??

The roots of jazz can be traced back to a combination of African musical traditions, blues, and ragtime. African rhythms and improvisational styles were blended with European musical elements, creating a unique sound. The blues, characterized by its expressive melodies and themes of sorrow and resilience, provided a significant influence on jazz. Additionally, ragtime, with its syncopated rhythms, contributed to the development of jazz's distinctive beat.

Key Figures in the Development of Jazz ??

Several key figures played pivotal roles in the evolution of jazz. Louis Armstrong, often referred to as "Satchmo," was a groundbreaking trumpeter and vocalist whose innovative approach to improvisation transformed the genre. His charismatic performances and unique vocal style left an indelible mark on jazz music. Another influential figure was Duke Ellington, a composer and bandleader who elevated jazz to new artistic heights with his sophisticated arrangements and orchestral compositions.

The Jazz Age and Its Cultural Impact ??

The 1920s, often referred to as the "Jazz Age," marked a period of significant growth and popularity for jazz music. With the advent of radio and phonograph records, jazz reached a broader audience, transcending racial and geographical boundaries. The Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement celebrating African American art and literature, further propelled jazz into the spotlight. Jazz clubs sprang up across major cities, providing venues for musicians to showcase their talents and for audiences to experience live performances.

Evolution of Jazz Styles ??

As jazz continued to evolve, various styles emerged, each contributing to the genre's richness. Bebop, developed in the 1940s, emphasized complex melodies and harmonies, challenging musicians to push their creative boundaries. Cool jazz, characterized by its relaxed tempos and smooth tones, gained popularity in the 1950s. Later, jazz fusion combined elements of rock and funk, expanding the genre's appeal to new audiences.

Jazz Today ??

Today, jazz remains a dynamic and evolving genre, with artists continually experimenting and blending different musical influences. Festivals around the world celebrate jazz, attracting both established and emerging musicians. Educational institutions also play a vital role in preserving and promoting jazz, offering programs that teach the history and techniques of this influential genre.

Conclusion ?

Understanding the historical background of jazz music enriches our appreciation of its complexity and cultural significance. For TOEFL test-takers, this knowledge can enhance listening comprehension and provide valuable context for related reading passages. By exploring the roots, key figures, and evolving styles of jazz, students can engage more deeply with this captivating genre and develop a broader understanding of American music history.

托?？荚囀且豁椞魬?zhàn)，尤其是閱讀部分,。為了幫助考生更好地應對這一部分,，本文將分享一些有效的“托福閱讀技巧與策略”,。??

1. 理解題型

在開始復習之前,，首先要了解托福閱讀的題型,。常見的題型包括：

• 主旨大意題（Main Idea Questions）
• 細節(jié)理解題（Detail Questions）
• 推理題（Inference Questions）
• 詞匯題（Vocabulary Questions）

了解各類題型的特點，可以幫助你在答題時更加有針對性,。??

2. 提高閱讀速度

托福閱讀部分時間緊迫,，因此提高閱讀速度至關重要?？梢酝ㄟ^以下方法來提升你的閱讀速度：

• 每天定時閱讀英文文章,，逐漸增加難度。
• 嘗試使用“掃讀”（Skimming）和“略讀”（Scanning）技巧,，快速獲取文章的主旨和關鍵信息,。

例如,，在閱讀一篇關于“Climate Change”的文章時，先快速瀏覽每段的首句,，以把握整體內容,。??

3. 做好筆記

在閱讀過程中,，建議做簡短的筆記?？梢杂貌煌伾墓P來標記不同類型的信息,，例如：

• 藍色：重要細節(jié)
• 綠色：主要觀點
• 紅色：不懂的詞匯

這種方法能幫助你在回答問題時更快找到相關信息。??

4. 熟悉常見詞匯

托福閱讀中會出現大量學術詞匯,，因此積累詞匯量非常重要,。可以通過以下方式進行詞匯學習：

• 使用單詞卡片,，隨時隨地進行復習,。
• 閱讀各類英文書籍和文章，遇到不熟悉的單詞及時查閱,。

例如,，詞匯“inevitable”的意思是“不可避免的”，在閱讀時如果能迅速理解,，就能更好地把握文章內容,。??

5. 練習真題

做托福真題是提高閱讀能力的重要步驟。通過練習,，你可以：

• 熟悉考試形式和題目類型,。
• 找到自己的薄弱環(huán)節(jié)，進行針對性訓練,。

建議每周至少做兩套真題,，模擬考試環(huán)境，控制時間,。?

6. 分析錯題

每次做完題目后,，不僅要關注正確答案，也要分析錯誤的原因,?？梢杂涗浵洛e題,，并在之后的復習中重點關注。例如,，如果在題目“What is the main purpose of the passage?”中選擇了錯誤的選項,，回顧段落內容，找出理解上的偏差,，將有助于今后的進步,。??

7. 保持良好的心態(tài)

最后，保持積極的心態(tài)也非常重要,?？荚嚽翱梢赃M行適當的放松活動，如深呼吸,、聽音樂等,，幫助自己更好地應對考試壓力,。??

運用這些技巧和策略,，相信你能在托福閱讀部分取得更好的成績！祝你好運,！??