1 . 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.

2 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。

1. What does August mean for the American football lovers?

A．It’s time to enjoy football games.

B．It is a time when players begin training.

C．It is a time when the names of the players are released.

2. How many songs are there about baseball?

A．More than one hundred.

B．About two thousand.

C．Over one thousand.

3. When was the most popular song about baseball written?

A．In 1809.

B．In 1908.

C．In 1918.

4. What do people still do near the end of the baseball game?

A．Stand up and join hands.

B．Dance to popular music together.

C．Sing the song by Jack Norworth.

3 . How music boosts brain

Many people believe that learning an instrument contributes to better educational attainment, cognition (thinking) and intelligence scores in children. But does this musicality translate to better cognition later in life?

    1    

A recent study investigated this question by asking middle-aged and older people to complete a questionnaire on their musical experience and complete cognitive tests. The results showed musical people had better memory and executive function (the ability to stay focused on tasks and control oneself). A good memory, important for playing a musical instrument, translates to people’s cognitive performance.     2    .

Continuing to play

    3    . Currently, amateur musicians show the highest cognitive performance of participants. That’s because continuing to play an instrument brings continued brain health benefits. By contrast, having played an instrument for three years during childhood might not have that big an impact on our cognitive performance later in life.

The “Mozart effect”

The famous “Mozart effect” was based on a study published in 1993.     4    . Sadly, the current study found no association between listening to music and cognitive performance. Cognitive stimulation depends on being actively engaged in activities. Thus passively listening to music doesn’t seem to provide any cognitive benefits.

Study conclusions

Playing an instrument or singing seems to have benefits to our brain health in ageing, according to the study.     5    . The study provides no evidence for this yet and it is also not clear how the findings apply to the general population, since most people in the study were female, well-educated and well-off.

A．Better memory and musical people

B．Improving cognitive performance

C．Continued engagement in playing an instrument helps cognitive function

D．It showed that when played Mozart, students scored higher on intelligence tests

E．Similarly, executive function required when playing an instrument also improves it

F．Being musical without playing an instrument could also improve cognitive performance

G．What is yet to be established is whether this would also help prevent cognitive decline as we age

5 . Different from regular concerts, roadside concerts in Guiyang, capital city of southwest China’s Guizhou Province, allow people to immerse themselves in music. Without tickets or fences, young people held hands together, singing and dancing. Videos showing their relaxing and cheerful performances went viral after being posted on social media.

From common people to stars, music brings people together. “Whether they are ordinary people or stars, when stepping onto the small stage by the road, they can enjoy the joy of music together,” said Zhou Wenjia, deputy head of the publicity department of Yunyan District.

Sun Guang, head of Nanming District’s cultural and tourism bureau in Guiyang, became a hit for the roadside concert.

“I have a music dream,” said Sun, who once took part in national competitions and performed on stage in Beijing. But for being busy with his work, he saw his guitar covered in dust. While seeing the flowing crowds, Sun signed up in secret, put on his leather jacket and sunglasses, and stood on his beloved stage.

But perhaps because of his wonderful performance, some audience recognized him. When singing on the stage for the third time, a short video showing his performance became a hit online and received nearly 1 million views, which put him at a loss for a time.

Qingyun Market, one of the venues of roadside concerts, is a famous tourist attraction in Guiyang which sells night snacks and local cultural and creative products. With the popularity of concerts, the market has become an important engine to boost the city’s economy.

“Roadside concerts now have become an important economic booster, and I could be a promoter. This is a good combination of my hobbies and duties,” said Sun.

As roadside concerts continue to gain steam, music has become a driving force for consumption. Guiyang has made it clear that roadside concerts will continue to require zero tickets, zero business, and zero distance from the people, with an aim to build a city with warmth and hospitality.

1. What does the underlined expression “went viral” in paragraph 1 mean?

A．Caught a virus.	B．Became popular.
C．Piled up.	D．Got blocked.

2. What is the feature of the roadside concert?

A．People enjoy the music together for free by the road.

B．Many superstars and bands enjoy street performances.

C．Audience immerse themselves in music inside the fences.

D．Roadside concerts gain little support from the government.

3. Why did Sun Guang sign up in secret?

A．Because he is too busy with his work.

B．Because he can’t stand public attention.

C．Because he wants to mask his real identity.

D．Because he lacks confidence in his performance.

4. What can we infer from the last paragraph?

A．Roadside concerts will attract sponsorship to earn profit.

B．Roadside concerts will charge the audience in the future.

C．Roadside concerts are aimed to improve the urban infrastructure.

D．Roadside concerts can boost the economic development in Guiyang.

6 . On March 18, 2018, I was alone at home in San José, Costa Rica, drinking a cup of tea, unaware that my life was about to change. I ______ an e-mail with the subject “scholarship selection result”.

My heartbeat ______ as I read through it. I had been chosen to receive a full scholarship for a master’s degree in ______ at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Finally, I would be able to ______ the ancient tales of dragons and the old legends (传说) of China, which had always ______ me.

Five months later, I arrived in Shanghai, ______ an entirely new world. At the airport, two of my Costa Rican friends were waiting for me and ______ me to the dormitory.

I remember ______ when I approached the dorm building, I was drawn by the sweet melody (旋律) of a dizi (Chinese flute), which was totally ______ from all that I used to hear in my country.

In Costa Rica, I learned the conducting ______ well. However, it was my Chinese professor, Cao Tongyi, who guided me in ______ my skills. Studying in China and immersing (使浸入) myself in its music has been a wonderful ______ , introducing me to diverse sounds produced by Chinese musical ______ .

My mission is to ______ this amazing musical experience worldwide. I hope to spread the ______ of music far and wide.

1.

A．wrote

B．received

C．noticed

D．sent

2.

A．ceased

B．continued

C．quickened

D．steadied

3.

A．conducting

B．composing

C．singing

D．dancing

4.

A．create

B．adapt

C．tell

D．explore

5.

A．surprised

B．confused

C．attracted

D．disappointed

6.

A．passing through

B．stepping into

C．setting up

D．carrying on

7.

A．limited

B．invited

C．accompanied

D．adjusted

8.

A．clearly

B．easily

C．gradually

D．finally

9.

A．available

B．free

C．absent

D．different

10.

A．concept

B．technique

C．material

D．history

11.

A．improving

B．changing

C．evaluating

D．describing

12.

A．course

B．tale

C．legend

D．journey

13.

A．styles

B．works

C．instruments

D．talents

14.

A．devote

B．share

C．gain

D．provide

15.

A．taste

B．joy

C．subject

D．form

7 . 听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1. What is Daniel’s problem?

A．He can’t understand the music well.

B．He can’t afford the concert ticket.

C．He can’t repay Nancy’s 20 dollars.

2. What does the woman advise Daniel to do?

A．Turn to his father.

B．Give up video games.

C．Sell some of his things.

10 . 听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。

1. When did the students begin to run the music society?

A．Ten years ago.

B．Forty years ago.

C．Fifty years ago.

2. What is the talk about this evening?

A．Pianos.

B．Drums.

C．Violins.

3. Who might be the listeners?

A．College freshmen.

B．Young composers.

C．University staff.

4. What is the theme of this year’s competition?

A．Nature.

B．Dance.

C．Poetry.