American country music, also known as country westem music, has a very long history. It comes from
the folk songs of immigrants (移民) from the Great Britain.
     Country music uses simple music and words to express everyday feelings such as loneliness, love, and
sadness. That is to say, country music describes life. It talks about friends and enemies, trucks and roads,
farms and crops. People in many parts of the world like country music because everyone can understand
what the music is about.
     It is believed that country westem music became popular first among cowboys in the American west
countryside. Cowboys had to take care of cows day and night. When they were alone with the cows, they
often sang beautiful and peaceful songs to calm the animals and to get over their own fear. They were not
well-educated and thus they sang about their daily life in very, simple words. They played guitars, violins,
and other instruments.
     In the American South, many people added instruments from their homes, like bottles and spoons. When
cowboys visited their friends and families on holidays like Thanksgiving, they usually sang and played country
western music.
     In recent years, many musicians have made country westem music a little different from the one in the
past. These changes make the songs sound even better. Today singers such as Carth Brooks, Reba McEntire,
Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, Eddie Rabbitt, LeAnn Rimes, Randy Travis, and a group called Alabama are
singing and playing in different styles. They have brought country western music more and more fans from
all over the world.

1. People like American country music because _____.

A. it has a long history
B. it comes from Europe
C. it is sung by cowboys
D. it is easy to understand

2. Which of the following is mentioned in the passage?

A. Early immigrants lived a very simple life.
B. Many country music singers are not well-educated.
C. For cowboys, life in those days was busy and difficult.
D. Cowboys sang to their animals when they were at work.

3. The best title for the passage is _____.

A. Singers and Fans of American Country Music
B. Americans Love American Country music
C. American Country music, Yesterday and Today
D. The History of Country Music and Western Music