2 . 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.

3 . Getting older means greater maturity and wisdom.     1     In a society that is aging fast, it has become crucial to find ways to prevent related mental and emotional disorders. Music emerges as a promising tool for promoting well-being of the elderly.

Music has a great power to cause strong emotions and intense pleasure.     2     singing and dancing to music with others is not only fun but also improves mood. Musical activities are great ways to reduce stress because they take our minds off problems. They also help us feel less lonely and more connected with other people.

    3     A song may become a soundtrack for a particular time, such as a delightful party with friends that you had along time ago. Listening to that song allows you to remember all the happy memories from that time.

Finally, music contributes to keeping our thinking skills sharp. It makes our brains work hard in unique ways to understand the rhythm and melody.     4     For example, exposure to background music, particularly classical music, during cognitive (认知的) tasks is shown to improve older people’s cognitive processes, such as processing speed and working memory.

In conclusion, music is a powerful tool to fight against aging-related emotional and cognitive problems. It is an enjoyable and social activity, available to anyone regardless of their background or previous musical experience.     5    

A．Music can also open forgotten doors to our memories.

B．Recalling happy memories can lift our mood on a bad day.

C．Even passive music listening can help elderly adults think better.

D．This helps people feel better when they are depressed or anxious.

E．However, it often involves a series of physical and mental challenges.

F．The ability to form new memories is essential for processing information.

G．Thus, this accessible intervention should become a major policy priority for healthy aging.

4 . The Music Educator Award, this year, went to Annie Ray, an orchestra(管弦乐队)director at Annandale High School.She was recognized for her efforts to make music accessible to all students, particularly those with disabilities.Ray got to attend the awards ceremony in Los Angeles and bring home a $10,000 prize.

Ray created the Crescendo Orchestra for students with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as a parent orchestra that teaches nearly 200 caregivers a year to play the same instrument as their child.Ray also works with a local charity to give damaged instruments a second life in her classroom.

The orchestra is about much more than just making music.The most important is to give students a chance to develop their cooperation skills, make mistakes and learn the art of refining something.Ray pushes her students to be brave, go outside their comfort zone and realize they have to learn how to make bad sounds before learning how to make good sounds.And they teach her a lot in return.” They changed my educational philosophy.I understand what it truly means to meet a student where they’re at and apply that elsewhere,” she said.

The warm reception on the ceremony was meaningful.Actually, not many people understand what exactly music educators do or how much their work matters.While her administration is supportive, that lack of understanding is a problem facing the profession in general.Another is resources.She says her school “desperately” needs new instruments.She will use some of her prize money to buy more.

Ray also plans to put some of the money towards an ongoing scholarship for students who want to pursue music when they graduate.She knows of several, those particularly interested in music, and aims to offer financial support needed to realize their musical dreams” It is hard but truly satisfying,” Ray said.“And there’s nothing else like it for them.”

1. What can we learn about Ray from the first two paragraphs?

A．She hosted the award ceremony.	B．She brought music to more people.
C．She gave away instruments to the poor.	D．She founded a local charity for children.

2. What do students benefit most from the orchestra?

A．They acquire in-depth musical knowledge.	B．They make friends with the like-minded.
C．They gain personal growth from playing music.	D．They improve their connections with educators.

3. What is paragraph 4 of the text mainly about?

A．The reception on the ceremony.	B．Importance of music education.
C．Challenges for music educators.	D．Plans to obtain resources.

4. What does Ray find satisfying according to the last paragraph?

A．Winning a scholarship.	B．Developing interest in music.
C．Making musical achievements.	D．Transforming dreams into reality.

5 . 听下面一段对话，回答以下小题。
1. What can Leo play?

A．The piano.

B．The guitar.

C．The violin.

2. What is the purpose of the music group?

A．To help students relax.

B．To celebrate National Day.

C．To prepare for a competition.

3. Why does Leo hesitate to join the music group at first?

A．He is too busy with his study.

B．He is afraid of meeting new people.

C．He doesn’t think he is good enough.

6 . Guy Noble, one of Australia’s most famous conductors, who conducted the touring concert “East Meets West”, said he’d like to learn more about Chinese music. “I’m impressed by the history and the beauty Chinese music has,” he’s said in an interview recently.

“East Meets West” concert tour in Australia was resumed this year after being postponed twice due to the pandemic. It was hosted in Canberra last Saturday, bringing audiences some well-known Chinese and Western pieces such as Jasmine Flower, Carmen, Romeo and Juliet, and The Yellow River.

While it was called “East Meets West”, music from China and the West with the same themes was brought together. Chinese singer Ya Fen and Australian singer Victoria Lambourn performed a duet (二重唱) Hope Betrayed, which was inspired by the Chinese classic novel A Dream of Red Mansions. Noble said he loved the duet as it showed completely different singing styles: traditional Chinese opera style and Western opera style. “They’re not exactly the same, but they came together,” he said.

Having been a professional conductor for more than 20 years, Noble called music an international language. He noted that most music at the concert was about love, which was also an international language. He also spoke highly of some Chinese musicians, such as pianist Lang Lang who he thought has inspired many kids in China to learn music.

Noble admitted his knowledge of Chinese culture was limited. He said that conducting the Canberra concert was “an experience that I’ve enjoyed”, which made him more interested in discovering the background and history of the music, as well as the stories behind it. Noble is ready to create more things that can involve dance or calligraphy or some of the other aspects of Chinese culture, and put them together with music.

1. What does the underlined word “resumed” in paragraph 2 mean?

A．Restarted.	B．Expanded.
C．Paused.	D．Concluded.

2. Why did Noble enjoy Hope Betrayed?

A．Because it impressed him with its history.

B．Because it was inspired by a classic novel.

C．Because it showed two performing styles.

D．Because it was performed by an Australian.

3. What can we learn about Noble from the text?

A．He is an amateur conductor.

B．He speaks highly of all Chinese musicians.

C．He has a wide knowledge of Chinese culture.

D．He intends to integrate more Chinese elements into music.

4. Which of the following could be the best title for the text?

A．Guy Noble: A Famous Australian Conductor

B．An Australian’s Passion for Chinese Culture

C．Music: A Bridge to Understanding Each Other

D．The Cooperation Between Foreign Musicians

7 . 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。

If New Year’s Eve had an official song, it would be Auld Lang Syne. Every year, just after the clock strikes midnight, many people around the world will sing this beloved song. Why is Auld Lang Syne a New Year’s tradition? From its beginning as an 18th-century Scottish poem     1     its popularity today, Auld Lang Syne always    2    （carry）the spirit of the holiday.

The song is actually a poem written by Robert Burns in 1788. Traditionally     3    （consider）Scotland’s national poet, Burns raised the country’s national awareness by writing it in the dying-out Scots language. In English, “auld lang syne”     4     （rough）means “times long past”. The song tells of old friends meeting after time apart.

Although Burns’ version is the only one we know today, there were also some earlier     5    （version）of the poem,     6     （include）Allan Ramsay’s from 1724. Burns’ version     7     (inspire) by an old man’s singing.

Burns was not satisfied with his version of the poem’s     8    （origin）tune and dismissed it. So between 1799 and 1801, George Thomson composed     9     different tune for the song. It’s the one we sing today.

With its emphasis on friendship and parting, Auld Lang Syne expresses the spirit of New Year’s Eve,     10     is saying goodbye to one year so that another can begin.

9 . 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，并将答案填写在答题卡上。

Huangmei opera (also Huangmei diao or Hubei opera),     1     dates back to the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty, is a traditional Chinese opera.     2     (establish) in the Huangmei region of Hubei Province, it has developed greatly over the years.

    3     (initial) performed by local folk artists in rural areas, Huangmei opera gained popularity during the 18th century. It featured lively music, singing, and dancing, often based on popular legends, historical events, and folk tales. As     4     unique art form, it provided amusement for the common people.

In the early 20th century, Huangmei opera     5     (experience) significant development when renowned Peking Opera artist Mei Lanfang incorporated (合并) Huangmei tunes into his performances. This exposure helped Huangmei opera gain     6     (recognize) beyond Hubei Province, introducing its distinctive musical style to a     7     (wide) audience.

Today, Huangmei opera continues to be one of the major regional opera genres in China. So far great changes and advancements     8     (make) by combining more refined singing techniques, intricate movements, and sophisticated stage design. Modern Huangmei opera performances combine traditional     9     (element) with contemporary adaptations, attracting many young people.

Despite facing challenges from modern entertainment forms, Huangmei opera remains an important cultural heritage that is actively preserved and promoted. Today, various organizations and societies are devoted     10     training new performers, organizing performances, and conducting research to ensure the preservation and development of this unique art form.

10 . National Public Radio (NPR) Music’s Tiny Desk Contest is back. Artists can submit an entry from this morning. This isn’t just another regular year of the Contest — it’s the 10th anniversary.

The panel (小组) of judges has doubled in size compared to previous years. The panel has a group of industry experts who are eager to see what this year’s participants can share. And there’s a great team of NPR’s Music station hosts on the panel: Amelia Mason, Novena Carmel and Stas THEE Boss.

Also new this year: Not only will the 2024 winner play a Tiny Desk concert, be interviewed on All Things Considered and go on tour with NPR Music — they’ll also be paired with a tutor in the industry who will help them navigate their music journey. Our judges are determined to give this year’s winner the support they’ll need to take their music to the next level. The winner will also be featured at two festivals this summer: Celebrate Brooklyn and the Millennium Park Summer Music series in Chicago.

And for the first time this year, the Contest is introducing a fan favorite vote. Later this spring, Contest judges will share their favorite entries as part of the annual Tiny Desk-Contest Top Shelf series on YouTube — and then artists and fans will be able to vote for their favorite among those selections.

Here’s how to enter: Record a video of you playing one original song — behind a desk, upload your video to YouTube, and submit the video on our Tiny Desk Contest website by Feb. 21 at 11: 59 p. m.   

A final reminder: Entry videos don’t need to be fancy. The Tiny Desk is where artists go to simplify their big productions. Contest judges are looking for artists to submit something that’s true to them and brand new to the Tiny Desk.

1. Who are most likely among the judges?

A．News station hosts.	B．Expert musicians.
C．Contest participants.	D．Famous industrialists.

2. What will the winner get as an award?

A．Sightseeing tours.	B．Festival souvenirs.
C．Unlimited support.	D．Professional guidance.

3. What is required of the contest entry?

A．It has to be a masterpiece.	B．It must convey positive feelings.
C．It must be recorded behind a desk.	D．It has to be submitted before Feb. 21.