2 . How similar are language and music?

Language is part of our daily lives, no matter where we live in the world.     1     Both language and music play a huge role in our culture and here are some of their similarities.

Both language and music have a writing system.

Both language and music have their own systems of notation. Language uses alphabets to represent sounds and create meaning.     2     By reading and writing in these systems, we can communicate and preserve ideas and compositions through time.

    3    

Listening to the language someone speaks can provide valuable clues about their geographical origin. In the same way, we know that styles of music are different around the world, giving us the opportunity to explore many different cultures through their music and providing us with music for every situation.

Both share emotion.

    4     While you may be able to perceive it through my facial expressions, you can judge it with certainty through my words. Similarly, music has the ability to convey emotions such as anger, sadness, or happiness through its sound. Music can show you exactly how the composer was or is feeling, and allows us to share that emotion. When you feel happy, you might want to sing and dance to a happy song to celebrate your happiness.     5     I think we have all used music to express or process our emotions, often combining it with language in the form of song lyrics (歌词).

A．Both are expressive.

B．Both vary with culture.

C．How do you know that I am annoyed?

D．Similarly, music is part of many people’s lives.

E．Equally, music uses notes to represent pitches and rhythms.

F．We use language to express our thoughts.

G．In contrast, you probably also listen to sad music when you are feeling down.

3 . An international group of electronic music composers is taking beats from the dance club to jungles and forests and back, all to help save nature’s greatest singers. A Guide to the Birdsong of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean is a new album that includes the sounds of endangered birds. The album will come out next month, whose proceeds will go directly towards efforts to save birds.

The whole project was born out of this idea of trying to combine birdsong, electronic music and conservation. A Guide to the Birdsong of Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean was organized by activist, music producer, Robin Perkins. He invited artists from each of the endangered birds ‘homelands to build their own songs around the birds’ songs. There are contributions from ten artists in eight different countries.

First single Black Catbird was created by The Garifuna Collective, from Belize. Al Obando, guitarist and producer of the group, always took in national parks and viewed birds when on the road with the band. “There are no trails, and there are no signs there to tell you about what you’re seeing,” Obando says. “So we’re trying to do something for the birds and nature tourism.”

Another musician who responded to Robin’s call is Tamara Montenegro, an artist from Nicaragua. She was shocked to hear of the serious situation of the Guardabarranco after being approached: “This beautiful creature I grew up adoring also faced the influence of the systematic human activities”. In response, she created a song inspired by this bird and the challenges it faces to live naturally.

The new album is the second edition, following on from A Guide to the Birdsong of South America, produced by Robin in 2015. That first album has raised, to date, over $15,000 benefitting conservation projects in South America. As with the first album, all of the money from the sales of the new album will support specific organizations, including Birds Caribbean.

1. What does the underlined word “proceeds” in Paragraph 1 refer to?

A．Profits.

B．Budgets.

C．Challenges.

D．Effects.

2. What do we know about Al Obando?

A．He created a hit single himself.

B．He was fond of observing birds.

C．He was the organizer of the new album.

D．He did a lot for birds in South America.

3. Why was Tamara astonished to learn of the Guardabarranco?

A．It was friendly to humans.

B．It was living in bad conditions.

C．It was beautiful in appearance.

D．It was facing challenges from other birds.

4. What is the author’s purpose in writing the text?

A．To collect money for a project.

B．To popularize electronic music.

C．To recommend some famous artists.

D．To introduce a new album of electronic music.

4 . Amazing Benefits of Listening to Music

If you love listening to music, you’re in good company. Recent research shows that listening to music improves our mental and physical health.     1    

Music lowers stress and improves health.

    2     This is an important finding since stress causes many illnesses. To stay calm and healthy during a stressful day, turn on the radio.

Music reduces depression.

More than 350 million people suffer from depression around the world. Music can benefit depressive patients, depending on the type of music.     3     But techno and heavy metal brings people down even more. When you feel low, put on some classical or relaxing music to increase positive moods.

    4    

Softening the lighting and music can lead people to eat fewer calories and enjoy their meals better. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your appetite (食欲), try dimming the lights and listening to soft music next time you sit down for a meal.

Music raises IQ and school performance.

Taking music lessons predicts higher school performance and IQ in young children. In one study, children who took singing lessons had learned better than children who took other lessons unrelated to music. If you want to help your children achieve excellence in their studies, you can let them take music lessons.     5    

A．Music helps you eat less.

B．Music gives you hope and confidence.

C．Classical and relaxing music lifts people up.

D．Listening to music you enjoy reduces the stress in your body.

E．Here are some amazing benefits of being attracted by music.

F．Or you can encourage them to sing or learn to play an instrument.

G．Musical training can help raise our IQs and even keep us sharp in young age.

5 . A music festival is a community event focusing on live performances of singing and instrument playing that is often presented with a theme. On the list are the music festivals for fans around the world. Find your favorite now!

Field Day

January 1, 2023, Sydney

Field Day means New Year’s Day for young people in Sydney. Seen as the city’s original multi-stage party, it’s a gathering of friends coming together for a great fun-filled first day of the year. There’s an air of hope and positive energy on a perfect summer’s day.

The Envision Festival

February 27—March 6, 2023, Uvita

The Envision Festival is an annual gathering in Costa Rica that aims to provide an opportunity for different cultures to work with one another to create a better community. The festival encourages people to practice art, music, dance performances, and education. Meanwhile, our connection with nature is expected to be strengthened.

The McDowell Mountain Music Festival

March 2—4, 2023, Phoenix

The McDowell Mountain Music Festival is Phoenix’s musical celebration of community culture. Since its foundation in 2004, it has been the only 100% non-profit music festival designed to support, entertain and educate the community. The festival attracts thousands of visitors each year from around the country, and it is an opportunity to experience true culture.

The Old Settler’s Music Festival

April 20—23, 2023, Dale

The Old Settler’s Music Festival is a nationally known music festival for American music. The festival is held in the country of Texas at the height of the wild flower season. The Old Settler’s Music Festival offers great music and activities for the whole family.

1. In which city can people enjoy a fun New Year’s Day?

A．Phoenix.

B．Uvita.

C．Sydney.

D．Dale.

2. What is special about the McDowell Mountain Music Festival?

A．It encourages people to receive education.	B．It is not aimed at making money.
C．It provides an opportunity for friend gathering.	D．It focuses on cultural exchanges.

3. Which festivals are connected with nature?

A．Field Day and the Envision Festival.

B．The Envision Festival and the McDowell Mountain Music Festival.

C．The Old Settler’s Music Festival and the McDowell Mountain Music Festival.

D．The Envision Festival and the Old Settler’s Music Festival.

6 . Most students in America like popular music. Students carry small radios with earphones and listen to the music before class, after class and at lunch. Students with cars buy large speakers and play the music loudly as they drive on the street.

Adult drivers listen to the music on the car radio as they drive to work. They also listen to the news about the sports, the weather and the life of American people. Most of the radio programmes are music.

Popular music singers make much money. They make a CD or tape which radio stations use in many places. Once the popular singer is heard all over the country, young people will buy his or her CDs or tapes. Some of the money from them goes to the singer. Wherever the singer goes, most of the young people want to meet him or her. Now the singer has become a national star.

There are other kinds of music that are important to Americans. One is called folk music which tells stories about the common life of Americans. Another is called western or country music. It was started by cowboys who would sing at night to the cows which they were watching. Today, any music about country life and the love between a country boy and his girl is called western or country music.

1. What can we learn from this text?

A．Adult drivers play the music with large speakers.

B．Most American students like popular music.

C．Most American students like country music.

D．Adult drivers listen to the world news.

2. How many kinds of music are mentioned in the text?

A．Two.

B．Three.

C．Four.

D．Five.

3. How can popular music singers become national stars?

A．By going to other places to perform.	B．By taking part in competitions.
C．By making lots of money.	D．By making a CD or tape.

4. What’s country music today about?

A．Life of western cowboys.	B．Common life of Americans.
C．Country life and love.	D．School life in the country.

9 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

Although Emily’s singing was very pleasant to hear, lacking of courage, she never dared to sing in front of strangers.

One summer, the neighborhood where she lived would hold a singing competition. Her best friend, Lucy, came to invite her to participate in the competition, but Emily said. “I’m afraid to take part in it.” Her mother said, “It’s okay, just do it bravely.” Emily followed her mama’s advice and decided to give herself a try. The day came. Emily and Lucy went to the competition site. But she was too frightened to walk onto the stage. She had been waiting until others finished singing. She shakily forced herself to stand on the stage. She started to sing, but her voice was so low. What’s worse, she was so nervous that she forgot the lyrics after singing a few words. Being laughed at by others, embarrassed and shy, she ran away from the stage.

Some naughty boys ran after her and said, “Emily, coward (胆小鬼)! Emily, coward!” Emily didn’t argue with them. What she wanted was to go back home as quickly as she could. Finally, she rushed into the house, hugged her mom and cried sadly.

“Well, my poor girl. Don’t cry. Tell me what happened to you,” asked her mom. Emily looked up at her mother and told her what she had experienced.

Listening to her, her mom cupped her face and said, “It doesn’t matter, girl. As long as you practice singing more in front of strangers, you will become braver little by little. So, my girl, don’t be beaten by a failure. You can go out to practice singing every day. No matter who is listening to you, go on singing and never stop. I believe there will be a harvest for you.”

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。
Paragraph 1

Emily followed her mom’s advice and walked into the park where many people were singing and dancing.

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Paragraph 2

The second year, the neighborhood held the singing competition again.

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