听力原文： The word "salon" first appeared in an English text in 1699. A salon was describe

d as the great hall or reception room in a castle or palace.

English writers continued to use the French spelling of the word until in 1728 the English spelling "saloon" was used in describing the reception hall of great country houses.

"Salon" continued to be used in more sophisticated literary works in English (since French was considered a more cultured language by the English upper classes) until in the 19th century it came to signify the reception rooms and galleries in a rich person's home, the same as the 18th and 19th century French usage of the word. In literature, the word salon developed a more specific meaning as the room in a great house over which the "lady of the house" presided at gatherings of friends. From about 1815 (after the Napoleonic Wars) the "salon" became a literary cultural institution in which its main significance was "a room in a wealthy lady's home where discussions of art, music, literature and other cultural affairs were held."

The word "saloon" first appeared in American usage in 1841 as a "place where intoxicating liquor is sold and consumed." In the 1880's, the "saloon" was a rather disreputable meeting place where rough and definitely uncultured men met and talked about politics, war, sports and women. Mark Twain, Jack London and other realist writers popularized the "saloon".

Thus, in English, "salon" is usually associated with very high cultural connotations and "saloon" is definitely a low-culture establishment.

Questions:

9.What did the word "salon" originally refer to？

10.When did the English spelling "salon" come into existence？

11.What did the word "salon" develop as after the Napoleonic Wars？

12.Which of the following is true according to the talk？

(29)

A．The reception hall of great country house.

B．A rich person's home.

C．The great hall or reception room in a caste or palace.

D．A disreputable meeting place.