Many artists late in the last century were in search of a means to express their individuality. Modern dance was one of the ways some of these people sought to free their creative spirit. The beginnings of modem dance were happening before Isadora Duncan, but she was the first person to bring the new dance to general audiences and see it accepted and acclaimed.
Her search for a natural movement form sent her to nature. She believed movement should be as natural as the swaying of the trees and the rolling waves of the sea. Her great contributions are in three areas.
First, she began the expansion of the kinds of movements that could be used in dance. Before Duncan danced, ballet was the only type of dance performed in concerts. In the ballet the feet and legs were emphasized, with virtuosity (技巧高超) shown by complicated, codified positions and movements. Duncan performed dance by using all her body in the freest possible way. Her dance stemmed from (源自) her soul and spirit. She was one of the pioneers who broke tradition so others might be able to develop the art.
Her second contribution lies in dance costumes (服装). She discarded corset, ballet shoes, and stiff costumes. These were replaced with flowing clothes, bare feet, and unlimited hair. She believed in the natural body being allowed to move freely, and her dress displayed this ideal.
Her third contribution was in the use of music. In her performances she used the symphonies (交响乐) of great masters, including Beethoven and Wagner, which was not the usual custom.
She was as exciting and eccentric in her personal life as in her dance.
小题1:. The best title for the passage would be“_________”.
A．Dance in the Twentieth Century
B．Artists of the Last Century
C．Natural Movement in Dance
D．A Pioneer in Modern Dance小题2: According to the passage, nature meant_________ to Duncan.
A．something to conquer
B．a model for movement
C．a place to find peace
D．a symbol of disorder小题3: The paragraph following the passage most probably discusses_________.
A．Duncan’s further contribution to modern dance
B．The music customarily used in ballet
C．other aspects of Duncan’s life
D．audience acceptance of the new form of dance
