1 . Directions: After reading the passage below, fill in the blanks to make the passages coherent and grammatically correct. For the blanks with a given word, fill in each blank with the proper form of the given word; for the other blanks, use one word that best fits each blank.

Why modern music should quieten down

Quietness may be underestimated values in pop music.     1     (look) up “the loudest band in the world” and you will be confronted with a large number of rock giants from Manowar who proudly achieved a sound pressure level of 139 dB to Motor-head. The pickings are slim     2     we substitute “quiet” for “loud”.

In a way, increasing the volume of a song makes biological sense, something the music industry       3     (exploit) since the jukebox era. There is an organ in the inner ear called sacculus that in linked to a region of the brain     4     (associate) with pleasure and react to low-frequency vibrations over 90 dB.

On the other hand,     5     (focus) sorely on loudness ignores the infinitely more subtle appeal of being quiet. A French band called “Air”,     6     twenty-years collection was released on June 10, are masters of the art. As any teacher knows, quietness can be more effective than shouting to make people pay attention. Air employed this gentle persuasion on Moon Safari, an album that attracts the listener       7     the peaceful sound of rain and muted drums. Even when Air do increase the volume, the vocalist's voice remains one of     8     (gentle) noises in pop. Given its warmth and peacefulness, it is no coincidence     9     the album was a favourite among clubbers after a night out. It is a time when the desire for kindness, companionship and warmth prevails.

So forget the “loudness war”. Manowar     10     be happy with their 139 dB, but they are comprehensively defeated by fireworks, which reach 145 to 150 dB when they explode, and the call of the blue whale, which goes all the way up to 188 dB. Now that' something to shout about.