FILMS WERE ACCOMPANIED BY MUSIC AND SOUND EFFECTS. THESE WERE PR...

1896, films were accompanied by music and sound effects. These were produced by a single pianist, a

small band, or a full-scale orchestra; large movie theatres could buy- sound-effects machines. Research into

sound that was reproduced at exactly the same time as the pictures – called "synchronized sound" – began

soon after the very first films were shown. With synchronized sound, characters on the movie screen could

sing and speak. As early as 1896, the newly invented gramophone, which played a large disc carrying

music and dialogue, was used as a sound system. The biggest disadvantage was that the sound and pictures

could become unsynchronized if, for example, the gramophone needle jumped or if the speed of the

projector changed. This system was only effective for a single song or dialogue sequence. In the "sound-

on-film" system, sounds were recorded as a series of marks on celluloid which could be read by an optical

sensor. These signals would be placed on the film alongside the image, guaranteeing synchronization.

Short feature films were produced in this way as early as 1922. This system eventually brought us "talking

pictures".

Question 43: The passage is mainly about the______.

A. disadvantages of synchronized sound B. history of silent movies

C. development of sound with movies D. research into sound reproduction

Question 44: According to the passage, films using sound effects were screened______

A. as early as 1896 B. as early as 1922 C. before 1896 D. in 1927

Question 45: Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a producer of sound to accompany movies?

A. a jazz singer B. a small band C. a gramophone D. a single pianist

Question 46: It can be inferred that______ .

A. sound-effects machines were not common because they were expensive

B. gramophones were developed about the same time as moving pictures

C. orchestras couldn't synchronize sound with pictures

D. most movie theatres had a pianist

Question 47: The word "sequence" is closest in meaning to ______.

A. organization B. distribution C. interpretation D. progression

Question 48:The phrase "these signals" refers to______.

A. sensors B. marks C. sounds D. series

Question 49: According to the passage, sound-on-film guaranteed synchronization because the recording

was_____.

A. inserted beside the image on the film B. read by an optical sensor

C. made during the filming of the picture D. marked on the gramophone

Question 50: Short feature films produced as early as 1922 _____.

A. were only effective for dialogue sequences

B. were recorded by optical sensors

C. put musicians out of work

D. preceded talking pictures