Do You Really Know About Musical Humorist Victor Borge?

1.

The son of a violinist in the Danish Symphony Orchestra, Victor Borge became a child prodigy soon after he began playing the piano at the age of three. "A child prodigy" means ____________ .

A child who makes progress

A child who has a great natural ability in a subject or skill

A child who promotes products

A child prodigy refers to a child who has a great natural ability in a subject or skill. In the given context, Victor Borge became a child prodigy in playing the piano at the age of three, showcasing his exceptional talent and skill in music.

Explanation

A child prodigy refers to a child who has a great natural ability in a subject or skill. In the given context, Victor Borge became a child prodigy in playing the piano at the age of three, showcasing his exceptional talent and skill in music.

2.

He taught himself English by listening intently to the dialogues in films. "Intently" means _____________ .

Eagerly, showing strong desire

Intend

Plan to

"Intently" means to do something with great focus and concentration. In this context, the person taught himself English by listening eagerly and with a strong desire to learn, paying close attention to the dialogues in films.

Explanation

"Intently" means to do something with great focus and concentration. In this context, the person taught himself English by listening eagerly and with a strong desire to learn, paying close attention to the dialogues in films.

3.

From 1953 through 1956, Victor Borge's one-man show "Comedy in Music" chalked up 849 performances—the longest solo run in Broadway history. "Chalk up" means ______________ .

To succeed in winning or getting something

To use chalk to write

His name was on the chalkboard

"Chalk up" is an idiomatic expression that means to achieve or accomplish something. In this context, it means that Victor Borge's one-man show "Comedy in Music" was able to achieve a record-breaking 849 performances, making it the longest solo run in Broadway history.

Explanation

"Chalk up" is an idiomatic expression that means to achieve or accomplish something. In this context, it means that Victor Borge's one-man show "Comedy in Music" was able to achieve a record-breaking 849 performances, making it the longest solo run in Broadway history.

4.

Victor Borge's incredible wit combined with his amazing musical ability created the unique performances that cracked up people around the world. "Crack up" means ______________ .

Break up people

Make people jump

Make people laugh a lot

"Crack up" means to make people laugh a lot. In the context of the sentence, it is referring to how Victor Borge's performances were able to make people around the world laugh a lot due to his incredible wit and musical ability.

Explanation

"Crack up" means to make people laugh a lot. In the context of the sentence, it is referring to how Victor Borge's performances were able to make people around the world laugh a lot due to his incredible wit and musical ability.

5.

He performed skits such as falling off his seatbelt-equipped piano bench, telling jokes about musicians, playing music upside down or playing piano duets by using his fingers to invade his partner's keyboard territory. "Skit" means __________________ .

A sudden sliding movement

A short funny play

Skill

The word "skit" refers to a short funny play. In the given context, the person mentioned is performing various comedic acts such as falling off a piano bench, telling jokes, and invading his partner's keyboard territory. These actions indicate that he is engaging in a humorous performance, which aligns with the definition of a skit as a short funny play. Therefore, the correct answer is "a short funny play."

Explanation

The word "skit" refers to a short funny play. In the given context, the person mentioned is performing various comedic acts such as falling off a piano bench, telling jokes, and invading his partner's keyboard territory. These actions indicate that he is engaging in a humorous performance, which aligns with the definition of a skit as a short funny play. Therefore, the correct answer is "a short funny play."

6.

1. Musical humorist Victor Borge, a talented pianist and a comedian, was born in ____________ on January 3, 1909.

Oslo, Norway

Stockholm, Sweden

Copenhagen, Denmark

Victor Borge, a musical humorist who was known for his skills as both a pianist and a comedian, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on January 3, 1909.

Explanation

Victor Borge, a musical humorist who was known for his skills as both a pianist and a comedian, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on January 3, 1909.

7.

After studying at the Copenhagen Music Conservatory as well as in Vienna and Berlin, Victor Borge soon found his way into acting, too. He became a one-of-a-kind leading film and stage actor in Scandinavia. "One of a kind" means ______________ .

Kind-hearted

Kind of

Special because no one else is like him

"One of a kind" means that Victor Borge is unique and there is no one else like him. He stands out from others because of his exceptional qualities or characteristics.

Explanation

"One of a kind" means that Victor Borge is unique and there is no one else like him. He stands out from others because of his exceptional qualities or characteristics.

8.

In 1963, Borge helped to found the "Thanks to Scandinavia Foundation," which offers

scholarships to Scandinavian students and scientists to the U.S. universities. "Scholarship" means _________ .

School supplies with books and pens

Study schedule

Money for education and research

The word "scholarship" refers to financial support provided to students and researchers to fund their education and research endeavors. It does not refer to school supplies or study schedules, but specifically to monetary assistance for educational and research purposes.

Explanation

The word "scholarship" refers to financial support provided to students and researchers to fund their education and research endeavors. It does not refer to school supplies or study schedules, but specifically to monetary assistance for educational and research purposes.

9.

He was knighted by the kings of Norway, Denmark and Sweden and was honoured by both the US Congress and the United Nations. " was knighted" means ______________ .

Was given a high rank or title

Was given a sword and a horse

Was offered a job to serve the king

The phrase "was knighted" refers to the act of being granted a high rank or title. This is typically done by a monarch or other high-ranking official as a form of recognition or honor. In this context, the individual mentioned in the question was knighted by the kings of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, as well as being honored by the US Congress and the United Nations, indicating that he was given a high rank or title for his accomplishments or contributions.

Explanation

The phrase "was knighted" refers to the act of being granted a high rank or title. This is typically done by a monarch or other high-ranking official as a form of recognition or honor. In this context, the individual mentioned in the question was knighted by the kings of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, as well as being honored by the US Congress and the United Nations, indicating that he was given a high rank or title for his accomplishments or contributions.

10.

He kept up a busy career into his 80s. In addition to his heavy stage and television commitments, he became a much sought-after conductor of many of the world's most famous symphony and opera orchestras. "Sought-after" means ________________ .

Run after

Wanted by a lot of people, but difficult to get

Sort out

"Sought-after" means that someone or something is wanted by a lot of people, but difficult to get. In the given context, it indicates that the person mentioned in the passage was highly desired as a conductor by many of the world's most famous symphony and opera orchestras, but it was not easy to secure his services due to his busy career and commitments.

Explanation

"Sought-after" means that someone or something is wanted by a lot of people, but difficult to get. In the given context, it indicates that the person mentioned in the passage was highly desired as a conductor by many of the world's most famous symphony and opera orchestras, but it was not easy to secure his services due to his busy career and commitments.

11.

"Victor Borge is world-famous as the funniest pianist on Earth," stated The Washington Post. The beloved international humorist and musician, who began performing actively from the age of 17 until past his 90^th birthday, passed away on December 23, 2000, in Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S. "Pass away" means _____________ .

Pass by

In the past

Die

The phrase "pass away" is often used as a euphemism for "die". In this context, it means that Victor Borge died on December 23, 2000.

Explanation

The phrase "pass away" is often used as a euphemism for "die". In this context, it means that Victor Borge died on December 23, 2000.

12.

When the Germans invaded Denmark in 1940, Victor Borge had to escape to the U.S. He arrived almost penniless and unable to speak English. "Penniless" means __________________ .

Had no penny but other coins

Had no coins but bills

Had no money

The word "penniless" is used to describe someone who has no money. In this context, it means that Victor Borge arrived in the U.S. without any money.

Explanation

The word "penniless" is used to describe someone who has no money. In this context, it means that Victor Borge arrived in the U.S. without any money.

13.

He was invited to appear on famous radio shows. Then, he moved on to television and ________ .

The theatre

Hollywood

After being invited to appear on famous radio shows, the person in question transitioned to television and then moved on to the theatre. The answer "the theatre" completes the sentence and provides a logical progression of the person's career trajectory.

Explanation

After being invited to appear on famous radio shows, the person in question transitioned to television and then moved on to the theatre. The answer "the theatre" completes the sentence and provides a logical progression of the person's career trajectory.