1 . Chinese singer Gong Linna released her new song, titled Return Home, which describes the overseas Chinese people’s longing for their homeland.
Performed in Chaoshan dialect, the song is part of Gong’s music project, which has the singer perform songs in different Chinese dialects. “It is very challenging to sing in Chaoshan dialect, which is a new language to me, and thanks to the songwriter Danny Sim and the song’s producer Wesley Tan, who speak the dialect, I received intensive training and practised very hard,” says Gong. “The beauty of dialects lies in telling stories of different places. It’s like a music al map, allowing me to explore different places through dialects.”
The idea of the song came from Qiaopi, a unique form of mail that served as both a letter and a remittance (汇款) sent by overseas Chinese people to their families in provinces of Guangdong and Fujian in the 19th and 20th centuries. At that time, many of those emigrants, particularly from Guangdong and Fujian, sent money back home to support their families, as well as communicating with their beloved ones and expressing their longing to be reunited.
“Dialects are a source of knowledge, traditions and the country’s cultural heritage. When I listen to a song performed in a dialect, I feel the local culture instantly even though I never go there and know nothing about the place,” says Sim, who wrote lyrics for the song, adding that there are a growing number of musicians in China performing in dialects, which allow listeners to get an emotional touch.
“Chaoshan dialect links people from the region. However, like many languages, it’s dying. Many young people, especially children, rarely speak the dialect, which is a sad thing.” Sim says, explaining why he is keen on writing songs by using the dialect, “I love my hometown and by writing songs in the dialect, I feel close to my home. Maybe that is, culture identity.”
1. What difficulty did Gong face when performing the song?| A．She had the language barrier. | B．The culture was unfamiliar to her. |
| C．The song had to fit in with the whole project. | D．There were many unknown stories in the song. |
| A．Its history. | B．Its influence. | C．Its inspiration. | D．Its significance. |
| A．They are dropping in numbers. | B．They are seldom sung by young singers. |
| C．They can stimulate affective bond. | D．They help us know many unknown places. |
| A．A sense of duty as a song writer. | B．A sense of belonging to his hometown. |
| C．His eagerness to revive Chaoshan culture. | D．His addiction to the charm of the dialect. |
2 . 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. |
3 . 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. |
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. |
| 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. |
| A．The reception on the ceremony. | B．Importance of music education. |
| C．Challenges for music educators. | D．Plans to obtain resources. |
| A．Winning a scholarship. | B．Developing interest in music. |
| C．Making musical achievements. | D．Transforming dreams into reality. |
5 . What are two things that make humans different from animals? One is language and the other is music. It’s true that some animals can sing. However, the songs of animals like birds are very limited. It’s also true that humans, not animals, have developed musical instruments.
Music is a strange thing. It’s clearly different from language. However, people can use music to communicate things—especially their emotions. When music is used with speech in a song, it’s a very powerful form of communication.
If music is truly different from speech, then we should process music and language in different parts of the brain. The scientific study suggests this is true. For example, Vissarion Shebalin, a Russian composer, had a stroke (中风) in 1953. It injured the left side of his brain. He could no longer speak or understand speech. He could, however, still compose music until his death ten years later. On the other hand, sometimes strokes cause people to lose their musical ability, but they can still speak and understand speech.
Why does music have such a strong effect on us physically and emotionally? That’s a harder question to answer. Geoffrey Miller, a researcher at University College, London, thinks that music and love have a strong connection. Music requires special talent, practice and physical ability. That’s some-one’s mate. For example, playing a musical instrument requires fine muscular control. You also need a good memory to remember the notes. And playing those notes correctly suggests that your hearing is in excellent condition. Finally, when a man sings to the woman he loves, it may be a way of showing off.
However, Miller’s theory still doesn’t explain why certain combinations of sounds influence our emotions so deeply. For scientists, this is clearly an area that needs further research.
1. Music is considered powerful when it ________.| A．is translated into a language. | B．is combined with language in a song. |
| C．is sung by some famous musicians. | D．is mixed with the cry of an animal. |
| A．The left brain is responsible for musical ability. |
| B．Injury to brain has no influence on speaking. |
| C．Music and language involve different parts of the brain. |
| D．Suffering from stroke results in the loss of musical ability. |
| A．Music is closely linked with friendship. | B．Learning music requires an excellent sight. |
| C．Various abilities are trained in music learning. | D．Playing a musical instrument helps emotion control. |
| A．Culture. | B．Health. | C．Education. | D．History. |
Welcome to School Dance Club
Are you tired of sitting too long? Do you want to be healthier? Join the School Dance Club and move your body! Choice of dances: folk, modern, pop, etc. Level of difficulty: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Teachers: Helen White — 13 years of teaching experience — Graduated from International Master Dance School John Smith — First prize winner of “Dancers on Stage” for 4 years starting from 2016 Ken Power — Skilled in different kinds of dance, especially in “fusion (融合)” dance Who to join: Aged 12~15 If you would like to be one of us, please kindly fill in the form and send it to Maria Cooper’s office before 18th March. |
| A．1. | B．2. | C．3. | D．4. |
| A．Teachers with rich experience. | B．Teachers good at dancing. |
| C．Students aged 10. | D．Students aged 13. |
| A．poster | B．diary | C．poem | D．report |
7 . If you’re hoping to follow your ears to your next vacation destination, but haven’t yet found a festival that calls your name, we’ve got a list of some of our favorites to help you plan your escape.
Guẻa Trumpe t Festival
The trumpet is a part of daily life in Serbia—present at births, celebrations, and burials. And the annual event has been going strong for more than 50 years to celebrate the instrument and its cultural significance in this country.
Positiv us Festival
Positivus is the largest music festival in Latvia, attracting big-name stars across all major genres and giving new artists a chance to shine. It’s also one of the most accessible music festivals in the world, even for families with small children. Other pluses? Ticket prices are reasonable and the beautiful coastal location means you can swim in the water or hang in the cool shade of the forest on the same day, all while listening to live music.
Alfa Future People
Held in the Russian countryside, six hours east of Moscow by car, Alfa Future People is more than a massive electronic dance music(EDM) festival, with exhibitions on the latest related technology and athletic opportunities like a volleyball tournament and gymnastics classes.
Mysteryland
If you’re into EDM, you won’t want to miss Mysteryland. Not only is this Dutch festival a bellwether(风向标) of EDM, its grand stage setups will blow your mind. What’s more, this is also one of the most sustainability-focused festivals in the world. In addition to readily available recycling stations and organic eats, attendees can plant trees to reduce their carbon footprint.
1. Which festival should visitors attend if they are mainly interested in local culture?| A．Alfa Future People. | B．Mysteryland. |
| C．Guěa Trumpet Festival. | D．Positiv us Festival. |
| A．It is usually held indoors. | B．It is affordable and family-friendly. |
| C．It is the largest music festival in Europe. | D．It is also well-known for its athletic events. |
| A．They provide EDM classes. | B．They have related exhibitions. |
| C．They are sustainability-focused festivals. | D．They are famous for electronic dance music. |
8 . Festivals in 2023
Roskilde Festival
With some of the biggest names in music, the Roskilde Festival in Denmark is preparing to bring fans an experience of a lifetime. Besides rock, electronic, and pop music, fans will also be treated to comedy, poetry, a carnival, and much more at this week-long festival. You can even rent a bike to get around the festival quickly.
Boomtown Fair
Boomtown is considered to be one of the wildest independent festivals in the world. Set up in 2009, in Winchester, United Kingdom, the fair takes place every summer in the city, offering entertainment for visitors of all ages. Additionally, it specially conducts arts and crafts workshops for kids. Tracing its origin (起源) to its “underground” roots, Boomtown offers every type of music, from folk and jazz to disco and punk.
Impact Festival
The festival stays true to its name and truly affect you through the experience you have while you attend the festival. You will spend your day meeting beautiful people, listening to some fantastic live music, seeing an combination (结合) of fashionable costumes and clothing, freeing your mind and spirit refreshed and dancing the night away with a bunch of other people. You will be staying in Lodz, the third largest city in Poland, a beautiful city.
Wilderness Festival
The combination of some kinds of attractive music, amazing food, and a lovely atmosphere come together to give you the Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire, UK. Other than live music performances, the Oxfordshire Wilderness Festival also offers an environment for camping and enjoying the quiet backdrop of countryside.
1. Where should people go if they want their children to attend workshops?| A．Lodz. | B．Oxfordshire. | C．Roskilde. | D．Winchester. |
| A．Impact Festival. | B．Boomtown Fair. | C．Roskilde Festival. | D．Wilderness Festival. |
| A．Appreciate comedy and poetry. | B．Watch fashion shows. |
| C．Taste free foods. | D．Learn some crafts. |
9 . Evelyn Glennie is a unique musician. She is a percussionist (打击乐手) who plays with classical orchestras. When she performs, she hits the gongs, snare drums, vibraphones, timbales, cymbals, conga drums, bells, and bass drums that are in front of her. Although classical musicians usually wear formal clothes in concert, Glennie performs in bare feet. What really sets her apart, though, is that she is a musician who can not hear. Glennie has been almost totally deaf since she was 12 years old. Despite being deaf, she has become the first solo star to play her type of percussion instruments in classical music.
Glennie was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. At the age of eight, she started taking piano lessons. She found that she preferred the drums, so she began to concentrate on other percussion instruments. Her doctors were never able to find out why she started to lose her hearing. By the time Glennie was 12, most of her hearing was gone. Glennie stayed in her school and learned to read lips. She also continued her music lessons. She learned how to play percussion instruments by using her sense of touch. She learned to feel the difference between high and low notes. She became very sensitive to the vibrations created by different sounds. Glennie took off her shoes to make it easier for her to feel the vibrations made by her instruments.
Glennie was very talented. At 16 she was accepted to the Royal Academy of Music in London, England. She was the music school’s first solo percussion student, graduating when she was 19. To build her career, she performed anywhere she could. There was very little solo music written for her instruments, so she asked for percussion music to be written for her. She then performed the new pieces in her solo concerts. Glennie attracted attention by performing in radio and television concerts. One 1988 concert was recorded live and made into a CD. This recording earned Glennie her first Grammy Award for a classical music performance.
Today Glennie performs all around the world. In addition to classical orchestras, she plays with folk musicians and rock stars. She has written music for movies, television shows, and commercials. Every year more new compositions are written for Glennie to perform. She has even taken up a new instrument: the bagpipes. Glennie considers herself a pioneer in music, not because she is deaf but because she has become a solo percussion star in classical music.
1. What can we infer from the passage?| A．Glennie wears formal clothes when she performs. |
| B．Glennie was talented in music. |
| C．Glennie entered the Royal Academy of Music when she was only 12 years old. |
| D．Glennie hates to play with other musicians. |
| A．She can performs kinds of musicial instruments |
| B．She liked taking off her shoes when she performed. |
| C．She is a musician who can’t hear. |
| D．She is a pioneer in music. |
| A．always perform with other musicians in concert | B．quit playing classical music in concert |
| C．learn to play other musical instruments | D．focus on studying the piano again |
| A．Deaf as she is, Evelyn Glennie is an award-winning solo percussionist who performs mainly classical music. |
| B．When Evelyn Glennie found that there was little music written for solo percussionists, she didn’t give up |
| C．Although classical musicians usually wear formal clothes in concert, Evelyn Glennie performs barefoot. |
| D．Evelyn Glennie lost her hearing at a young age, and doctors were never able to find out why. |
10 . Last Friday, a robot called EveR6 led an orchestra (管弦乐队) in a performance of Korean music at the National Theater of Korea. EveR 6 is about as tall as a person, and has a human-like face that can show emotions. Its joints (关节) allow it to move its arms quickly and smoothly in many different directions.
But EveR 6 doesn’t think on its own like some advanced Artificial Intelligence programs. Instead, it has a limited group of movements that it has been trained to perform. To make these movements as natural as possible, EveR 6’s movements are based on those captured from real human conductors.
In Friday’s performance, the National Orchestra of Korea presented a concert titled “Absence”. The concert included five different pieces of music. Two were conducted by EveR 6, and two were conducted by Soo-Yeoul Choi, who leads the Busan Philharmonic Orchestra. Both conductors worked together on the final piece.
Mr. Choi was impressed with the way EveR 6 moved. “The robot was able to present such detailed moves much better than I had imagined,” he said.
But Mr. Choi added that the robot’s biggest weakness is that it can’t hear. “Some people think that conducting is just a combination of hand waving and keeping the beat,” said Mr. Choi. “But a good conductor needs to listen to the orchestra, so that he or she can correct and encourage the orchestra as it plays.”
Mr. Choi and EveR 6 both conducted a piece of music called “Sense”. Instead of musical notes, EveR 6 had instructions for how to play the piece. The conductors and musicians had to work together to create the music. Mr. Choi communicated with the musicians while EveR 6 kept the beat. Mr. Choi said that once EveR 6 started, the musicians had “no choice but to follow its beats”.
Mr. Choi doesn’t think robots are likely to replace human conductors. But he believes robots could be helpful in situations like practice sessions where the same thing needs to be repeated many times.
1. What do we know about EveR 6 from the text?| A．It is an experienced conductor. | B．It has a lifelike appearance. |
| C．It is able to listen to music. | D．It is much shorter than a person. |
| A．Stolen. | B．Stopped. | C．Recorded. | D．Hidden. |
| A．Waving hands. | B．Keeping the beat. |
| C．Having instructions. | D．Communicating with musicians. |
| A．A robot conducting an orchestra. | B．An orchestra having performed in Korea. |
| C．Modern music combined with technology. | D．Two conductors getting worldwide recognition. |
