Individuality is the particular character, or aggregate (total) of qualities that distinguishes one person or thing from others. 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. At the beginning there was no exacting technique, no foundation from which to build. In later years, trial, error and genius founded the techniques and the principles of the movement. Eventually, innovators (改革者) even drew from what they considered the dread ballet, but first they had to get rid of all that was academic so that the new could be discovered. The beginnings of modern 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 (称赞).
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, and should be in harmony with the movements of the Earth. Her great contributions are in three areas.
First, she began the expansion of the kinds of movement that could be used in dance. Before Duncan danced, ballet was the only type of dance performed in concert. In the ballet the feet and legs were emphasized, with virtuosity (高超技巧) shown by complex, codified positions and movements. Duncan performed dance by using her body in the freest possible way. Her dance stemmed from 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 costume. She rejected ballet shoes and stiff costumes. These were replaced with flowing Grecian (希腊式的) tunes, bare feet, and unbound 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 of great masters including Beethoven and Wagner, which was not the usual custom.
She was as exciting and eccentric(怪异) in her personal life as in her dance.
46．According to the passage, what did nature represent to Isadora Duncan?
A．Something to conquer.    B．A model for movement.
C．A place to find peace.      D．A symbol of disorder.
47．Compared to those of the ballet, Isadora Duncan’s costumes were less _________.
A．costly       B．colorful    C．graceful    D．restrictive
48．Which of the following is not mentioned as an area of dance that Duncan worked to change?
A. The stage set.      B. The music. C. Costumes.          D. Movements.
49. We can infer from the passage that the author _________.
A. appreciates modern dance very much      B. dislikes Isadora Duncan’s dance
C. thinks highly of individuality   D. knows a lot about modern arts
50. Which of the following would be the best title for the passage?
A．Artists of the Last Century     B．Evolution of Dance in the 20th Century
C．Natural Movement in Dance   D．A Pioneer in Modern Dance