1 . Music plays an important role in our lives.
Unlike food, music isn’t necessary for our survival.
Studies have shown that certain pieces of classical music will have the same effect on everyone.
Neuroscientists conducted research using PET scans to detect the release of dopamine in the brain when subjects listened to their favorite songs. They later used MRI to view the pleasure center of the brain where dopamine is released and then mapped out its connection with other areas of the brain.
The pleasure center of the brain predicts what kind of music we will enjoy based on the connection it makes to other parts of our brain.
New music fits into patterns already mapped out in the brain by our past musical tastes. It is pleasurable not only because it is familiar, but it is different just enough to feel new and exciting.
| A．Enjoying music is unique to humans. |
| B．They cause the same changes in the brain. |
| C．However, it is extremely rewarding and pleasurable. |
| D．It was these connections that were the most interesting revelation. |
| E．Music, therefore, can be used as a mood enhancer or as a motivator. |
| F．We can recall vivid memories and emotions when listening to music. |
| G．There is a lot of research about music and its relationship to intelligence. |
2 . Linda, a sixteen-year-old girl, was a “violinist” of average level, who had basic violin playing skills but was neither particularly outstanding nor bad. She just learned to play the violin at the request of her father.
This year, the school music festival came on time. As usual, Linda accompanied the lead singer with her violin, and the rehearsals (彩排) went well. During a break, noticing Linda always play her violin, a teacher asked Linda if she would sing a song. But Linda refused, saying that she had never sung in public places because she was not good at it. The teacher told her, “Each of us seems to have something that we are not good at, but as long as we are brave enough to try, there may be surprises.” Linda still didn’t have the courage, and the teacher encouraged her again, “You are a brave girl, and I believe you can try your best.”
Thrilled and nervous, Linda finally chose to sing Mystery of Life. Everyone was surprised by her voice. She had such a talent for singing! All the students cheered for her! Without such an unexpected opportunity and that teacher, she might have never found her gift. Now she has become one of the best known singers in her city.
Everyone has some talent. If you think you have no talent, you either haven’t discovered yours yet or don’t consider it a talent because it’s not all that useful. You may be able to build a huge house of cards but you don’t think it’s a talent. With confidence and effort, some skills can be unlocked and improved. In your life, you should be brave and confident enough to try doing different things and find out what talents you really have.
1. Linda chose to sing because ______| A．the teacher encouraged her to sing. | B．she got lots of applause that night. |
| C．she wanted to show everyone her talent. | D．she didn’t want to play the violin that night. |
| A．Strict and sensitive. | B．Kind and patient. |
| C．Rude and unfriendly. | D．Honest and humorous. |
| A．Building a huge house of cards isn’t a talent. | B．Confidence and effort help find out talent. |
| C．All skills can be unlocked and improved. | D．Not everyone in the world has a talent. |
| A．It’s important to encourage others. | B．The story of a song Mystery of Life. |
| C．A violinist became a famous singer. | D．We should find out our real talent. |
3 . 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 guqin and its music. The example unearthed from the Mawangdui Han Dynasty Tomb in Changsha, Hunan province, proves that guqin had developed into the form known today during that period.
Northern Wei Dynasty (386 — 534)
Buddhism (佛教) 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 Grotto Temple is famous for its reliefs (浮雕) 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 “Riverside Scene at Qingming 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. |
| A．Religion. | B．Economy. | C．Politics. | D．Technology. |
| A．Ming Dynasty witnessed the boom of traditional Chinese operas. |
| B．Most of the drama stages were built during the Northern Wei Dynasty. |
| C．The musical culture of Buddhism was developed during the Han Dynasty. |
| D．Buddhist temples were the main places for music al activities in the Song Dynasty. |
Alexis and Zoe were sitting at the kitchen table doing homework. They were having a hard time concentrating on their homework because the radio station was playing music from their favourite band, the Shape Shifters.
“I can’t believe the Shifters are going to be playing here and we can’t go!” Alexis sighed.
“I know,” Zoe said angrily. “Tickets were sold out in five minutes, and even if we could get some, they are so-o-o expensive!”
“It’s totally unfair,” said Alexis. “They should give the tickets to their biggest fans first!”
“You mean us, right?”
“Obviously,” laughed Alexis. “Everyone knows we’re their number one fans.”
Zoe turned the radio up a little louder. Their favourite song was on, and the girls had an impromptu (即兴的) dance party right there in the kitchen. Using a pencil and a banana as microphones, they sang the lyrics loudly they knew so well.
As it ended, they fall out of the chairs again. The radio disc jockey (电台的音乐节目主持人) started talking about the concert.
“That was ‘Fake It Til You Make It,’ by the Shape Shifters,” the D.J. announced loudly.
“They are playing in town this weekend, and we’re giving away two tickets to Saturday’s sold-out show, right now! We’re looking for the 10th caller who can correctly answer this question: Who is the oldest member of the Shape Shifters, Georgie or Natasha?”
注意：1.续写词数应为150左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
Alexis and Zoe looked at each other confusedly.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Having reached an agreement, Zoe dialed the numbers as fast as her fingers could fly.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________5 . A broken heart. A sad ending to a love affair. That’s something most of us have experienced, or probably will. After all, it’s part of human life. But no question, the experience can be hard to get over.
But research shows there are pathways through the heartache. Listening to sad music is a major one. It can help you begin to feel joy and hopefulness about your life again. It can arouse (激发，唤醒) the desire (渴望) to connect with others.
Sad music can help heal and uplift you from your broken heart. A recent study from Germany found the emotional influence of listening to sad music is an arousal of feelings of empathy (共情), and a desire for positive connection with others. That, itself, is psychologically healing. It draws you away from concentration on yourself, and possibly towards helping others in need of comfort.
Another experiment, from the University of Kent, found that when people were experiencing sadness, listening to music that was “beautiful but sad” improved their mood. In fact, it did so when the person first consciously accept the situation causing their sadness, and then began listening to the sad music. That is, when they intended that the sad music might help, they found that it did.
These findings link with other studies that show accepting your sad situation emotionally leads to healing and growth beyond it. It seems unbelievable but it does make sense. For example, research from Cornell University, published in Psychological Science, found that accepting discomfort about a life experience or new situation, and viewing it as a step towards growth and change, encourages people to find a pathway through it, beyond it. As Churchill famously said, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” That discomfort points you towards creating a plan, a new action. It fuels hope.
1. What can we learn from paragraph 3 and paragraph 4?| A．Sad music can make people help others. |
| B．Sad music can make sad people feel better. |
| C．Sad music can make people believe in themselves. |
| D．Sad music can make people concentrate on themselves. |
| A．Listen to a sad song. | B．Avoid unwise actions. |
| C．Find support from others. | D．Face the discomfort directly. |
| A．By listing figures. |
| B．By giving directions. |
| C．By comparing examples. |
| D．By presenting research findings. |
| A．How to Find Pathways through Heartaches |
| B．How We React to A Broken Heart Matters a Lot |
| C．What We Can Do to Overcome Discomfort in Life |
| D．Why Listening to Sad Music Heals Your Broken Heart |
6 . Music
Opera at Music Hall: 1243 Elm Street. The season runs June through August, with additional performances in March and September. The Opera honors Enjoy the Arts membership discounts. Phone: 241-2742. http://www.cityopera.com.
Chamber Orchestra: The Orchestra plays at Memorial Hall at 1406 Elm Street, which offers several concerts from March through June. Call 723-1182 for more information. http: //www.chamberorch. com.
Symphony Orchestra: At Music Hall and Riverbend. For ticket sales, call 381-3300. Regular season runs September through May at Music Hall in summer at Riverbend. http://www. symphony.org/ home.asp.
College Conservatory of Music (CCM): Performances are on the main campus of the university, usually at Patricia Cobbett Theater. CCM organizes a variety of events, including performances by the well-known LaSalle Quartet, CCM’s Philharmonic Orchestra, and various groups of musicians presenting Baroque through modern music. Students with I.D. cards can attend the events for free. A free schedule of events for each term is available by calling the box office at 556-4183. http://www.ccm.uc.edu/events/calendar.
Riverbend Music Theater: 6295 Kellogg Ave. Large outdoor theater with the closest seats under cover (price difference). Big name shows all summer long! Phone: 232-6220. http://www. Riverbend music.com.
1. Which number should you call if you want to see an opera?| A．241-2742. | B．723-1182. | C．381-3300. | D．232-6220. |
| A．February. | B．May. | C．August. | D．November. |
| A．It has seats in the open air. | B．It gives shows all year round. |
| C．It offers membership discounts. | D．It presents famous musical works. |
