Bob Dylan, the 75-year-old rock legend received the Nobel Prize for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition. Sara Danius, permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy, said Dylan had been chosen because he was a great poet in the English speaking tradition．
Dylan, born on May 24, 1941 is an American songwriter, singer, artist and writer. He has been influential in popular music and culture for more than five decades. Many of his most celebrated works date from the 1960s. Early songs such as Tangled up in Blue, Blowing in the Wind and The Times They Are a-Changing became anthems for the American civil fights and anti-war movements. Leaving behind his initial base in the American folk music reviva1(复兴), his six-minute single Like a Rolling Stone, recorded in 1965, enlarged the range of popular music.
Dylan’s lyrics incorporate a wide range of political, social, philosophical and literary features. His recording career, spanning more than 50 years, has explored the traditions in American song—from folk, blues and country to rock and roll, and rockabilly to English, Scottish and Irish folk music, embracing even jazz and the Great American Songbook. Dylan performs with guitar, keyboards and harmonica. Backed by a changing lineup of musicians, he has toured steadily since the late 1980s on what has been called the Never Ending Tour. His accomplishments as a recording artist and performer have been central to his career, but his songwriting is considered his greatest contribution．
Since 1994, Dylan has published six books of drawings and paintings, and his work has been exhibited in major art galleries. As a musician, Dylan has sold more than 100 million records, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He has also received numerous awards including eleven Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award. In May 2012, Dylan received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama.
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1.Why was Bob Dylan awarded the Nobel Prize?
A He invented many music expressions.
B His lyrics in his songs rhyme like poems.
C The characteristics of his works.
D He changed the English speaking tradition.
解析：选B。细节理解题。由第一段“… new poetic expressions … a great poet ...”可知给迪伦颁奖的理由是他在伟大的美国歌曲传统内创造了新的诗歌表达，故选B。
2.Which of Dylan's works expanded the area of popular music?
A Like a Rolling Stone.
B Blowing in the Wind.
C Tangled up in Blue.
D The Times Are a-Changing.
解析：选A。细节理解题。由第二段最后一句“Like a Rolling Stone… enlarged the range of popular music.” 可知，Bob Dylan1965年录制的Like a Rolling Stone 扩大了流行音乐的范围，故选A。
3.During Dylan’s life, what contributes most to his career?
A Composing poems.
B Giving performances.
C Making records.
D Writing songs.
解析：选D。D 细节理解题。 根据第三段最后一句可得出答案，在他的职业生涯成就中，舞台演出是核心，但是歌曲创作占最大的分量，故选D。
4.Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
A Dylan’s lyrics cover various features.
B Dylan worked over 50 years as a musician.
C Dylan could play the piano well.
D Dylan received a lot of awards for his works.
解析：选C。C 细节理解题。根据第三段第一句可知A项正确；根据第三段第二句可知B项正确；C项内容文章未提到；根据第四段最后一句可知Dylan获得了很多奖项，D项正确。故选C。
