1 . Seba Stephens is only 10 years old, but he’s a very talented musician. Before he turned three, his parents asked him what he wanted for his birthday. “Drums!” (鼓) he answered. His parents weren’t sure, but after seeing him play the drums at a local music store, they decided he was serious. They bought him a set of junior drums. It was a huge step. “He didn’t stop playing-ever”, says his dad, Everett.

But soon Seba grew unhappy, he couldn’t get his junior drums to make the sounds that the famous drummer Copeland made. Therefore, his parents bought him a set of professional drums and sent him to a drum teacher. Just a few months later, his teacher reported that Seba was learning extremely quickly and needed a higher level of training. He was still four.

His father encouraged him to explore music in other ways. In 2020, Seba got special permission to join a summer guitar online program at Berklee College of Music as an 8-year-old. To keep up, he had to practice 36 hours a week. After the busy summer, Everett thought Seba might want a break. However, Seba asked his parents to home-school him so that he could continue the program during the school year. Seba did school work in the morning. In the afternoon he worked on music. And at night, he still worked on music.

Recently, Seba earned a professional certificate (证书) in music through the Berklee Online program.

1. What did Seba want for his birthday?

A．Drums.	B．Music lessons.
C．A guitar.	D．A music book.

2. Who does the underlined word “his” refer to in Paragraph 2?

A．Seba’s.	B．Copeland’s.
C．Seba’s parent’s.	D．Seba’s teacher’s.

3. Seba needed a higher level of training because

A．he grew very worried	B．he failed to hear the sounds
C．he bought a new drum	D．he was learning extremely quickly

4. What is Paragraph 3 mainly about?

A．Seba joined a summer camp.	B．Seba worked hard on music.
C．Seba did school work at home.	D．Seba graduated from a college.

5. How did Seba earn a professional certificate in music?

A．By going to a famous college.	B．By getting special permission.
C．Through the Berklee Online program.	D．Through the lessons given by his parents.

2 . MUSICAL HERITAGES FROM ANCIENT CHINA

Since remote antiquity, Chinese people have used music to record their lives and describe the ideals in their hearts. Catchy tunes are not only played on precious instruments, but also visualized in carvings, paintings, and buildings. Feel free to explore here!

Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220)

This period marked the significant development of the manufacturing of gugin and its music. The example unearthed from the Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tomb in Changsha, Hunan province, proves that gugin had developed into the form known today during that period. It shows 7 strings and 13 markers indicating the pressing positions of overtone series.

Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534)

Buddhism and its musical culture spread extensively during this period. Buddhist temples provided places for musical activities, which were recorded in many of the existing stone carvings. Located in Gongyi, Henan province, the Grotlo Temple is famous for its reliefs representing musical events. They are precious historical materials reflecting the music characteristics of the dynasty.

Song Dynasty (960-1279)

With economic development, a variety of musical cultures emerged to meet the entertainment needs of different social classes. Part of the painting Life along the Bian River al the Pure Brightness Festival vividly reveals a storytelling performance. The painter adopted delicate techniques to truly record a street performer, whose superb skills are reflected by each listener’s show of appreciation.

Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)

At this time, traditional Chinese operas developed rapidly, promoting the formation of many singing styles. People began to enjoy operas and drama stages were built. Covering a construction area of more than 160 square meters, the Fancun village drama stage in Shanxi province provides rich materials for the study of the local folk culture.

1. Which heritage would a fan of classical instruments explore?

A．The Ming Dynasty drama stage.	B．The Song Dynasty painting.
C．The Northern Wei Dynasty temple.	D．The Han Dynasty tomb.

2. What contributed to the diversity of Song Dynasty musical cultures?

A．Economy.

B．Politics.

C．Religion.

D．Technology.

3. Which period witnessed the boom of Chinese operas?

A．Han Dynasty.	B．Northern Wei Dynasty.
C．Song Dynasty.	D．Ming Dynasty.

3 . Nick Rose-Stamey is a lot like Jack Black’s character in School of Rock- a guitarist who discovers a passion for making music accessible to children. Working in the nonprofit arts education sector over the last 10 years raised his awareness of the lack of music programs in public schools, and later inspired his nonprofit, Band in a Bus. “The original idea was to take an old school bus and turn it into the best band class on wheels,” he says.

In fact, activities of Band in a Bus don’t actually happen on a bus. It provides instruments, courses, and staffing to students. Kids 18 and under can also participate in enriching summer programs through Band in a Bus, such as Bucket Brigade, five weekly classes where grades K-4 learn rhythm (节奏) and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) principles through contemporary music. There are also teen bands for grades 7-12 where kids learn to play pop music and develop social and team work skills.

When schools went virtual during the COVID-19 period, Rose-Stamey thought it was a shame that instruments were left sitting on shelves instead of in the hands of kids. So he created and distributed more than 1,000 “Band in a Box” DIY kits. Each kit contains small noise makers like kazoos, drumsticks, and shakers, with the intention of introducing a modernized music class experience that meets kids where they are.

“It is reported that if a kid has 30 minutes of a performing arts or creative elective every singleday, then that’ll help them develop their social, emotional and leadership skills, because there’s a lot of team work when it comes to making music. You have to learn how to work well with others,” Rose-Stamey says.

In the last year, Band in a Bus has worked directly with more than 500 students. “Music is a win-win for everybody,” Rose-Stamey says. “I just hope that someday we can stop making it the first kid out in the dodge ball (躲避球) game.”

1. What motivated Rose-Stamey to establish Band in a Bus?

A．The movie School of Rock.	B．The band classes in public schools.
C．His music learning experiences.	D．Insufficient music education.

2. What can we say about Bucket Brigade classes?

A．They mainly focus on pop music.	B．They are usually organized on a bus.
C．They encourage team-building activities.	D．They combine music with other subjects.

3. What is the purpose of “Band in a Box”?

A．To promote noise making instrumental kits.

B．To help students gain access to music at home.

C．To lift students’ mood during the COVID-19 period.

D．To enable students to take creative electives every day.

4. What can we infer from Rose-Stamey’s words in the last paragraph?

A．We should treat every student equally.

B．We should give music enough importance.

C．We should reconsider the rules of the dodge ball game.

D．We should encourage fair competition in various activities.

4 . As the clocks strike midnight one by one on New Year’s Eve, one song will ring out more than any other from the world’s crowds — “Auld Lang Syne”, the Scots-language ode (颂歌) to friendship and good times past, which was first set to paper by the Scottish poet Robert Burns, though he claimed he was not its original author, only a documentarian of one part of an old oral folk tradition. According to historian Dr. Morag Grant, the concept of   “auld lang syne” was once a Jacobite tradition.

Burns’ version quickly became popular in Scotland after it was published in 1799, and thanks to that Scottish diaspora—which carried its folk traditions to places like the States, Canada and New Zealand — snatches (音乐片段) of   “Auld Lang Syne” are productive throughout history.

It was in 19th-century England that the New Year’s Eve tradition emerged. At St Paul’s in London, Scotts who went abroad would gather together and belt out the words to “Auld Lang Syne”. “To miss it in the eyes of some Scots would amount to little less than a crime,” the Edinburgh Evening Courant wrote at the time.

An increasingly connected world helped to promote the song’s spread. The inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, sang it down the mouthpiece to demonstrate the new telecommunications equipment. Later, another scientist called Emile Berliner chose it as one of the first songs to be recorded on the gramophone. In 1929, the bandleader Guy Lombardo began the tradition of playing “Auld Lang Syne” from Times Square, first on radio and then on television.

From its folkloric beginnings, “Auld Lang Syne” has travelled far, shapeshifting and acquiring new meaning as it passes between people and cultures. Today, it symbolises friendship and fond memory for communities across the globe, and it becomes the second most sung song in the English language, beaten only by “Happy Birthday”. It’s quite a success for a poem written in a Scottish minority language.

1. What might be the origin of the song?

A．A Jacobite concept.	B．Oral Scott folk music.
C．A poem by Robert Burns.	D．Works of Dr. Morag Grant.

2. What does the underlined word “diaspora” in Paragraph 2 mean?

A．Folk tradition.

B．Famous poets.

C．Settling abroad.

D．Singing fever.

3. What sped up the song spread?

A．The Scotts’ living style.	B．The excellent performance of a band.
C．World connection via new inventions.	D．New Year’s Eve tradition in England.

4. What does the song mainly convey to people?

A．The charm of friendship and memory.	B．The importance of Scottish culture.
C．The beauty of Scottish language.	D．The impact of folk tradition.

5 . Why does the man choose the guitar?

A．He wants to be different.

B．He wants to be like his friends.

C．He thinks it is cool to play the guitar.

6 . An orchestra is attempting to bring people living with dementia (痴呆) back into the present. The work being done by Manchester Camerata has never been more important, given that there are about 900,000 people with the condition in the UK, a number that is predicted to nearly double by 2040.

People with dementia often find listening to music can reignite old memories from long ago. Much more overlooked, though, is the impact that making music can have on the present. While some with dementia can often feel trapped in the past, some researchers believe the act of creating music—as well as listening to it—can help to reconnect then to the here and now.

A new BBC documentary—Dementia, Music and Us—follows the work of Manchester Camerata and its principal flautist (长笛手) Amina Hussain. who, also a professional music therapist, leads classes across the north-west of England that have been described as life-changing. Classes for the community consist of improvisation (即兴创作), singing, and writing their own music.

Keith, 62, was diagnosed with dementia when he was 53. Like many, he really struggled to come to terms with his new reality. He found the sessions to be genuinely life-changing. “I think the thing that saved us was the first ever music group we went to because from that group it opened other groups up for us.” he said. “The workshops make you smile, enjoy life and it just brings the best out of you.”

Researcher Dr Dowlen is seeking to better understand the “in the moment” benefits of music-making for people with dementia. She believes the improvisational music workshop experience allows people to “create something that is held now in the moment.” She added, “Improvisational music-making is particularly important for people with dementia, especially when it comes to building their confidence and their self-esteem.”

1. Why is the work being done by Manchester Camerata important?

A．Music is an important part of daily life.	B．Music is an effective cure for dementia.
C．More people are pursuing a musical career.	D．A growing number of people live with denentia.

2. What does the underlined word “reignite” mean in Paragraph 2?

A．Keep alive.

B．Bring back.

C．Push away.

D．Take up.

3. How have the workshops affected Keith?

A．He has become more socially active.	B．He has adapted to life with dementia.
C．He has demonstrated his music talent.	D．He has recovered his long-lost memory.

4. What can we learn about the workshops from Dr Dowlen?

A．They bring mixed results,	B．They enjoy great popularity.
C．They promote people’s welfare.	D．They need to focus on the moment.

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. In what language is the opera usually sung?

A．Chinese or English.

B．Italian or French.

C．German or French.

2. How many languages can the man speak?

A．Three.

B．Four.

C．Five.

3. What will the two speakers probably do next?

A．Watch an opera.

B．Talk about the performers.

C．Learn a new language.

8 . I missed the clear blue skies of home in Colorado over my grandparents’ farm. Some of my earliest memories were of sitting on my grandfather’s knee while he played his violin. When I was old enough, I went to college on a music scholarship. But when I came to New York City, I left my violin behind.

“As long as you’ve got music, you’ve got good company, Jane,” my grandfather always said. I didn’t have either in my life these days. Looking at the gray sky, I was wondering whether I could get auditions- to give a short performance to be in a film.

The winter sky was starting to turn purple when I heard something unexpected. An orchestra was practicing. I followed the sounds to the park and saw the musicians practicing. I approached the director during a break. “This is a community orchestra,” he said. “One you’re welcome to join. All you need is an instrument.” But I couldn’t afford to buy one and it wasn’t the kind of thing my parents could just ship from Colorado.

As I walked back with heavy steps, a sign made me stop short: Schumacher Violin Maker. From the window, I saw an old man wearing glasses adjusting the bridge on a violin. I stepped inside and told him my story. When I’d finished, he said,“So, you need a violin.” I nodded in embarrassment. He surveyed the rows of instruments and selected a violin with a bright color. “Take it,” he said. “Go and make your music.” I stood there, surprised, as he handed it to me.

Holding the violin, I felt like I’d just woken up from a dream. But it was real—as real as the strings I was touching. My heart pounding with excitement, I headed for the park. There was a chair in the orchestra waiting for me. Playing the violin, I immediately felt at home. I made a ton of friends there. Music had brought me good company, just as my grandfather had promised.

1. What might be the author’s dream job in New York City?

A．An actress.

B．An artist.

C．A violinist.

D．A composer.

2. How does the author express her mood at different times?

A．By creating dialogues.	B．By recording emotional conflicts.
C．By citing her grandfather’s words.	D．By describing the colors of the sky.

3. Who did the author turn to for a violin?

A．Her grandfather.	B．Her parents.
C．The shopkeeper.	D．The director.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph about the author?

A．She woke up from her dream.	B．She failed in her career attempts.
C．Her grandfather lived in her heart.	D．Music gave her a sense of belonging.

9 . There are hundreds of genres (流派) of music, so while some might like one kind, others might like something completely different. Why do people like different kinds of music?

    1     At the same time, music can also help us feel like part of a group or a culture, especially one that shares an interest in a certain kind of music.

Music can also be nostalgic, that is, it creates a kind of longing for the past. Musicians leave behind a footprint with their music.    2     Even long after the musicians are gone, people still find something in the musicians’ recordings that they can enjoy.

We may also find that the music we like is strongly tied to our memory. Maybe there was a song that someone sang to us when we were little that brings up good memories.     3    

When we listen to music that we like, a chemical called dopamine is sometimes released in the brain, which can make us feel good.     4     There are some algorithms (算法) today that can help pick up on the kind of music we like. When we are streaming music, some programs will let us like or dislike songs.

People’s taste in music can remain the same in their whole life or it can change many times. But the truth is, we don’t know all the exact answers to why people like different kinds of music — or sports, or food, or colors.     5     We are all different people who like different things.

A．It’s music to our ears.

B．Music can be a part of our identity.

C．It becomes a mirror that we are holding up.

D．They leave a permanent mark in people’s lives.

E．Therefore, we might want to listen to a song on repeat.

F．Other times, we might find music can bring up sad memories.

G．There are lots of different factors that can influence our preferences.

10 . 阅读下面短文，在空白处填入1个适当的单词或括号内单词的正确形式。

A Chinese song titled Yi Jian Mei entered the Viral 500 of Spotify, an overseas mainstream music platform     1     (indicate) popularity on social media platforms, on June 15. The song     2     (sing) by Chinese singer Fei Yu-ching 37 years ago. It was part of the soundtrack for a hit TV drama. It has become a classic pop song among     3     middle-aged.

The popularity of the song began with a hit TikTok video,     4     a Chinese man named Zhang Aiqin performed the song twirling in the snow. His unique     5     (appear) with an egg-like head caught the eye of TikTok users. Many foreign people were also attracted by his deep voice. They have posted their covered songs on TikTok and Twitter. Different     6     the original song, the current version has been adapted to music style, including hip-hop.

Another popular activity related to the song is     7     (ask) parents to read out the written lyrics.     8     (interesting), most parents can sing this melody directly as part of their memory of the 1980s.

Although the song and lyrics became a funny meme on the Internet, some still think that this is an unexpected opportunity for     9     (foreign) to understand Chinese music and culture. Some foreign web users say that they felt inner peace     10     appreciated the beauty of Mandarin listening to the song.