principal
a. periphery b. major
c. precursor d. forebear
bulky
a. tiny b. compact
c. large d. small
enthusiast
a. opponent b. fan
c. friend d. critic
III. Reading Passage
Musical Instruments (1)
he great majority of musical instruments fall readily into one of six
major categories: bowed strings, percussion, woodwind, brass,
keyboard, and the guitar family, the first four of which form the
basis of the modern symphony orchestra.
Bowed Strings
The four principal orchestral string instruments are (in
descending order of overall pitch) the violins (usually divided
into two sections, playing individual parts), the violas, the
cellos and the double basses. They each have four strings
arranged in order of pitch, can be played by means of a bow
(arco) or plucked (pizzicato), but whereas the violin and viola
are played with the instrument resting between the shoulder
and the chin, the larger cello (or, to give it its full title,
violoncello) is placed facing outwards between and slightly
behind the knees, and the bulky double bass is played
standing up or seated on a high stool.
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