《2026年江苏13大市中考名卷优选38套英语》

D
“Click, click, click …” the drummer hit the drumsticks against each other to give a beat, and the band started to play. Kai played a guqin solo, and for most of the show, he played along with the rhythm of the drums. The band played faster and faster. Kai's classmates jumped to their feet, clapping and screaming. When the music ended, there was an awkward(尴尬的) silence. They all looked at the teachers.
Mr Li asked, “What were you trying to express?”
Kai murmured, “I wanted to do something different … to modernize the guqin's sound.”
“Well, it's a good try. But you know it has over 3,000 years of history. I don't think you've presented the characteristics well,” said Mr Li. “The music was … We could hardly hear the guqin,” added Miss Zhou. “I'm afraid I can't give you high marks.”
“Please, can I have another chance?” begged Kai.
They finally agreed.
Alone in the hall later, Kai sat in his chair, feeling a little sad. “I understand what you were trying,” Kai looked up and saw Miss Zhou by his side. “But before you can break the rules, you have to master them.”
Kai was puzzled. What did she mean?
“The guqin is connected to nature. The bottom board represents the ground and the rounded top board represents the sky. A wonderful guqin performance shows the harmony (和谐) between people and nature.”
“Miss Zhou, is it fine to play the guqin with other instruments?”
“Because it is so quiet,” replied Miss Zhou, “It's usually played alone. Sometimes, it can be played with the dizi or another guqin. Every note matters. And you know, there's Chinese philosophy (哲理) behind every form of art. That's what makes Chinese art special. We should try hard to keep the value of traditions and connect them with modern life.”
“Is it true that Confucius played the guqin?”
“Exactly. Confucius believed that music was necessary for a well - rounded education. It could help a person develop his inner self.”
“Can I make it modern?” Kai was wondering if he had asked a stupid question.
“Ancient musicians followed traditions to show respect. To modernize it, try to find the right way to keep the value. How will you change your piece?”
“I'm not sure yet,” said Kai. “But I'm going to do something different again.”
That night, Kai kept thinking about the next show. “How can I present the guqin and balance the traditional spirit with a modern touch?” he wondered.
Then, he had an idea …
37. In Kai's teachers' eyes, he didn't .
A. play the drums well
B. work well with others
C. express personal feelings
D. show the guqin's value
38. Which of the following is the CORRECT order of the story?
a. Miss Zhou gave her advice to Kai.
b. The classmates kept a short silence.
c. Kai asked for another chance to play.
d. The teachers pointed out Kai's problem.
e. Kai played the guqin with drum rhythms.
A. a—e—d—c—b
B. e—b—d—c—a
C. e—a—b—d—c
D. a—b—d—e—c
39. What lesson has Kai learned from his experience?
A. Strict rules will stop our creativity in music.
B. Traditional instruments should be modernized.
C. Creation requires us to understand the tradition first.
D. The guqin is necessary for a well - rounded education.
40. What might we hear in Kai's next show?
A. Pop music in a traditional style.
B. Folk music with local colour.
C. Country music in a Western style.
D. Rock music with drums and dizi.

答案： 37.D 细节理解。根据第四段中“But you know it has over 3,000 years of history. I don’t think you’ve presented the characteristics well”、“The music was ... We could hardly hear the guqin”以及“I’m afraid I can’t give you high marks”可知，老师们认为Kai没能很好地展现古琴的价值。
38.B 细节排序。根据第一段中“Kai played a guqin solo，and for most of the show，he played along the rhythm of the drums.”可知，Kai和着鼓的节奏弹奏古琴，e排在首位，排除A、D；根据第一段中“When the music ended，there was an awkward silence.”可知，同学们沉默了一会儿，b排在第二，排除C。
39.C 推理判断。根据第七段中“But before you can break the rules，you have to master them.”以及倒数第四段中“To modernize it，try to find the right way to keep the value.”可知，在打破规则之前，你必须先掌握它们，且在使其现代化的过程中，需要尝试找到正确的方法来保持价值，所以Kai从这次经历中学到的道理是：创新的前提是要理解传统。
40.A 推理判断。根据最后两段中“How can I present the guqin and balance the traditional spirit with a modern touch?”和“Then，he had an idea ...”可推断出，在Kai的下场演出中，我们可能会听到传统风格的流行音乐，将传统古琴与现代流行元素结合。
课外延伸
平衡传统与现代，关键在于“神形兼守”。传统精神是根，是现代创新的土壤。我们无需复刻古制，而应萃取其核心——如中庸之道、匠人精神、自然观，将其融入现代语境。譬如设计，可用现代极简线条，勾勒传统水墨意境；在生活方式上，以数字工具高效工作，但留出时间践行“晴耕雨读”的心境。它不是简单拼接，而是让传统的“神”穿上现代的“衣”，让传统智慧借现代形式焕发新生，让现代生活因传统的厚重而更显从容。最终达成一种和谐：既不失根本，又面向未来。