1 . Today, at 28, the young German Violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter is at the top. “She gives radiance (光芒) to the music,” wrote Geoffrey Norris in The Daily Telegraph, London.
Born in Rheinfelden on June 29, 1963, Anne-Sophie grew up in Wehr, a small town just five kilometers from the Swiss border. Her father, Karl Wilhelm Mutter, and her mother, Gerlinde, considered music lessons part of a good education. It came as no surprise when Anne-Sophie said she wanted a violin for her fifth birthday.
Her parents thought she was too young for the violin, and persuaded her to start on the piano. But Anne-Sophie has always had a mind of her own. “I longed to play the violin,” she says, “It seemed to me a much more interesting instrument.” After six months, her parents gave in.
The famous violin teacher Erna Honigberfer, who lived nearby, became Annie-Sophie’s teacher. After only nine months of lessons, she entered the six-year-old in a nationwide competition for young musicians. With Christoph accompanying her on the piano, Anne-Sophie won first prize.
In 1974, Erna Honigberger died. Anne-Sophie’s new teacher was Aida Stucki. She taught Anne-Sophie to develop her own ideas on how a piece should be played, not just to imitate (模仿) others. This is one of the violinist’s strongest, most distinctive characteristics today.
Though the Mutters were short of money at times, they limited their daughter’s performances to one or two a year. “We are glad we went the family road,” says her father. “No outsider can ever have an effect on our daughter’s career or push her into playing more concerts than she wants to.” Later she was allowed to give six to eight concerts a year and make some recordings.
1. Anne-Sophie’s concerts are _________.| A．limited to one or two a year | B．thought highly of |
| C．accompanied on the piano by Christoph | D．appreciated by professors in London |
| A．She wanted a violin for her fifth birthday. |
| B．She has always had a mind of her own. |
| C．Violin seemed to her a much more interesting instrument. |
| D．She had two famous violin teachers. |
| A．money is not everything |
| B．children should learn music |
| C．Anne-Sophie was too young to give concerts |
| D．parents have a great effect upon their children |
| A．Anne-Sophie got her first prize with the help of Aida Stucki. |
| B．Mutter’s family had an effect on her. |
| C．Anne-Sophie liked to imitate others. |
| D．Anne-Sophie liked all the instruments. |
2 . Music is fun. Most of us come across music pretty much every day, whether that be on the radio, TV or on the street.
Music brings people together. It creates social relationship, it speaks to all when words can fail, and wherever you go in the world, it is understood. Music is a universal gift and its power to connect people is without question.
Music improves your health and wellbeing. It stimulates the brain which in turn helps with pain relief, reducing stress and memory. A study from Harvard has shown that relaxing music may lower blood pressure and heart rate after physical effort.
Music can improve confidence and toughness. In a digital age where many services and products are instantly available with the click of a button, learning a musical instrument provides a platform for people to achieve discipline and willpower. There are many skills required in order to learn how to play a musical instrument: technique; reading music; expression; listening.
| A．Music is a creative outlet. |
| B．But why is it so important? |
| C．Music can help lift your spirits. |
| D．It can also improve mood and reduce anxiety. |
| E．Most importantly, you have to listen to live music. |
| F．It is an art form with human interaction at its centre. |
| G．As you continue to perfect these skills, you build toughness. |
3 . I devote myself to music because of my grandmother. My mum and I lived with my grandparents from the time I was two until I was eight. And even then, I was at their house before and after school every day while my mother was
Grandma loved music. It was she that first
Grandma played the piano and
Last month when I came home to visit grandma in the hospital, I brought along my guitar with me. She was in great pain, but the music seemed to
My grandma passed away two days ago. In my opinion, part of her will live on through every
| A．at home | B．at school | C．at work | D．in hospital |
| A．sent | B．inspired | C．introduced | D．remembered |
| A．debate | B．love | C．agreement | D．doubt |
| A．wave | B．sleep | C．dance | D．play |
| A．funny | B．balanced | C．good | D．interesting |
| A．forced | B．prepared | C．taught | D．enabled |
| A．hotel | B．apartment | C．neighbourhood | D．hospital |
| A．school | B．hospital | C．street | D．office |
| A．only | B．exactly | C．completely | D．seldom |
| A．comfort | B．spot | C．fascinate | D．terrify |
| A．joined | B．poured | C．mixed | D．combined |
| A．worthwhile | B．impressive | C．puzzling | D．unbelievable |
| A．horrible | B．thrilled | C．open | D．calm |
| A．refused | B．continued | C．expected | D．intended |
| A．song | B．poem | C．article | D．story |
No matter where you usually hear today’s top hits—the radio, Spotify, a mixtape on your Sony Walkman — you’ve probably noticed that they tend
As VOX — a classic record company — explains, the custom
The late 1940s
5 . Music for Life
Learning music is important for the educational and personal development of young people!
Learning an instrument: how do pupils choose?
All our teachers are highly qualified and experienced musicians, and pupils can learn to play a wide range of instruments, from the keyboard to the drums (鼓). We have open days when new pupils who are unsure which instrument to choose can come to the centre. They are able to speak to teachers about which instrument might be best for them, and they can also see and hear classes in action.
Who is responsible for buying the instruments?
Parents usually have to provide instruments. But parents of beginners are advised not to buy an instrument until they are told that a place is available. They should also find out from the teacher the most suitable type of instrument to get.
When and where do lessons take place?
Lessons are available in many schools, usually during the day. If there is no lesson available for a particular instrument in a particular school, other arrangements can be made at one of our music centres for lessons on Saturday afternoons or weekday evenings.
How are pupils taught?
Pupils can learn in small groups, in classes or individually, depending on their needs. Small groups of three pupils have lessons that last thirty minutes. Class lessons last forty-five minutes and have at least ten pupils. Individual lessons are offered only to pupils who have some experience.
Starting young: when can pupils begin?
Children are never too young to become interested in music. We have special “Musical Youth” classes for children from the age of 3 to 8. These are designed to encourage young children to enjoy music through a variety of activities including singing, musical games, listening and movement. “Musical Youth” classes take place on Saturday mornings with groups of about 18 children. A parent or other adult must attend each session, and they are encouraged to sit with their children and help them with the activities.
1. What can we learn from the text?| A．Pupils are advised to learn special instruments on Sunday afternoons. |
| B．Teachers at the centre should prepare the right instruments for pupils. |
| C．Pupils are offered open days by the centre to choose a right instrument. |
| D．Parents are required to stay with their kids during the learning process. |
| A．Individual lessons. | B．Class lessons for more than ten. |
| C．“Musical Youth” classes. | D．Small groups lessons for three. |
| A．Teachers. | B．Pupils. | C．Musicians. | D．Parents. |
6 . Canadian Music Festivals to Let Your Hair Down at
Osheaga-Quebec
This 3-day local favorite is one of Canada’s biggest festivals, having a line-up of indie, rap and pop moguls. The festival is divided into six main stages: Mountain, River, Tree, Green, Valley and Zone Piknic Electronik-each featuring a different type of music.
Ottawa Bluesfest-Ontario
This music festival will celebrate its 25th birthday with hundreds of world-class shows. Taking place in the LeBreton Flats along, the Ottawa River, the festival will run across five stages over 10 exciting days. The star-studded line-up is full of local and international talents. Household names include alt-J, Alexisonfire, Chvrches, Jessie Reyez, Kygo, Logic, Shakey Graves, and many, many, many more.
Montreal Jazz Festival-Quebec
Founded in 1979, this Jazz festival will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year by hosting more than 600 concerts across 20 stages. Held in the heart of downtown and kicking off at the end of June, this year’s line-up is a mix of artists from around the world. This festival attracts more than 2.5 million music fans during 10 days, and is world famous in the jazz community. Most shows are free but some can cost up to $40 per person.
Festival d’été-Quebec
Established in 1908, the Festival d’été is an all-out 11-day musical feast that takes place in downtown Quebec City annually. Its main stage is one of the biggest in North America and is found in the historic Plains of Abraham. There are also hundreds of smaller performances spread across a dozen venues in the city. The best part is tickets are super cheap!
1. Where will the Montreal Jazz festival be held?| A．On the Ottawa river. | B．In a village. |
| C．In the city center. | D．On a plain. |
| A．Thrill-seekers. | B．Foodies. |
| C．Party-planners. | D．Concert-goers. |
| A．All of them are held in Quebec. | B．All of them are multi-stage festivals. |
| C．All of their performers are from Canada. | D．All of their shows are ticketed. |
7 . Anthony Madu, a boy from Nigeria, is getting the opportunity of a lifetime.
After a video of Madu
Madu developed his
Learning his video became a real hit made Madu very
| A．running | B．playing | C．dancing | D．hiking |
| A．grasped | B．landed | C．applied for | D．referred to |
| A．advocates | B．features | C．comments | D．denies |
| A．impressed | B．stuffed | C．disappointed | D．delighted |
| A．hardly | B．sincerely | C．eventually | D．literally |
| A．involved | B．occupied | C．stuck | D．associated |
| A．confidence | B．interest | C．expectation | D．fluency |
| A．dilemmas | B．choices | C．surroundings | D．calories |
| A．turns down | B．focuses on | C．disapproves of | D．leaves behind |
| A．Instead | B．Anyway | C．In contrast | D．On the contrary |
| A．depressed | B．puzzled | C．optimistic | D．astonished |
| A．praised | B．recognized | C．comforted | D．rewarded |
| A．if | B．though | C．because | D．once |
| A．anxious | B．qualified | C．exceptional | D．proud |
| A．remain | B．anticipate | C．return | D．flower |
8 . The Kyiv City Ballet danced to a full theater in Paris for the company’s last show of its French tour. The tour has left the dancers without a place to go after the war started in Ukraine. In other times, performing at the Théatre du Chatelet would be a dream come true for the dancers. But with the ongoing war in their country, the dancers feel only a deep sadness.
“We are both physically and emotionally exhausted.” Ekaterina Kozlova said. She is the company’s assistant director. “Everyone in the ballet is worried about their families, loved ones, friends, colleagues at home. It’s been very difficult.”
The Théatre du Chatelet, in the center of Paris, offered them the stage on Tuesday for the group’s final show of a French tour. The dance director of the Paris Opera and some members of her company joined the Ukrainians for a class before performing several ballet classics together. They danced parts of Russian composer Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and The Nutcrackery.
For many of the dancers, the chance to train and dance was a way to think about “something other than the conflict in Ukraine,” Kozlova said. One of the dancers will be going to the Ukrainian border in the coming days to pick up her young daughter who was taken out of the country. Only some members of the company were traveling around France. Many of the ballet’s best dancers stayed behind, waiting to join their friends after they reached Paris.
“Most of our artists are detained in Paris.” Director Ivan Kozlova told the Paris crowd. The city of Paris and the ballet community have helped find temporary housing for the Ukrainian dancers who say they hope to continue dancing in France and elsewhere. The Chatelet theater offered the whole group a residency. But for now, Tuesday’s last-minute performance was their last. All sales from their performances will go to nongovernmental organizations collecting and sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine and neighboring countries.
1. What would the dancers feel about performing at the Théatre du Chatelet before the war?| A．Pleased. | B．Indifferent. |
| C．Sorrowful. | D．Sympathetic. |
| A．They would leave Paris soon. |
| B．They would prevent the conflict. |
| C．Many best dancers stayed in Paris. |
| D．Some would go to the Ukrainian border. |
| A．Arrested. | B．Stuck. | C．Promoted. | D．Educated. |
| A．Enthusiastic and kind. | B．Generous and professional. |
| C．Cooperative and ambitious. | D．Courageous and calm. |
| A．She isn’t interested in it. |
| B．She wants to rest at home. |
| C．She hasn’t finished her homework. |
10 . I was 11 years old when I asked my mom for piano lessons in 2010. We were in the economic crisis. She said a polite “ no ”.
That didn’t stop me. I googled the measurements for a keyboard, drew the keys on a piece of paper and stuck it on my desk. I would click notes on an online keyboard and “ play” them back on my paper one—keeping the sound they made on the computer in my head. I spent six months playing without touching a real piano. Once my mom saw that I was serious, she borrowed money and bought me 10 lessons.
I still remember the first one. I was struck by how real the sound of the piano was. I sat my grade one after eight lessons. Once I started secondary school, we couldn’t afford lessons again. I passed grade three, and then grade five, practicing only on my piece of paper.
One evening, when I was about 13, my mom said she had a surprise for me; it was an electronic keyboard, bought with more borrowed money. It was the first time I’d played for her. She was in shock.
My school didn’t offer music A-level. I found the Purcell School for young musicians. But I had to pass a difficult test. Some of the questions involved an evaluation of the composer or when some piece was written. I felt stressed. To my amazement, I was offered a place.
At Purcell, I spent two years working as hard as I could. I performed to raise money and save enough to buy my first piano. When I left Purcell, I was awarded the senior piano prize and senior academic music prize. I am now at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London. I feel proud: it’s been 10 years since I drew my paper piano, and I’m at one of the world’s leading music schools.
The irony is that I continue to do a lot of my practice away from the piano---what we call mental practice. The paper piano helped arouse my curiosity about how music works, the building blocks that form the pieces.
1. Why did the author’s mom buy him 10 lessons at last?| A．She was shocked by his first performance. |
| B．She had no doubt about his talent for piano. |
| C．She realized that he meant what he said. |
| D．She suddenly made a fortune. |
| A．Honest. | B．Determined. | C．Humorous. | D．Optimistic. |
| A．surprised | B．proud | C．satisfied | D．disappointed |
| A．Mental Practice Matters |
| B．A Surprise from Mum |
| C．Learning An Instrument Costs Too Much |
| D．Stick to Your Dreams |
