| A．He wants to be different. |
| B．He wants to be like his friends. |
| C．He thinks it is cool to play the guitar. |
2 . Amazing Benefits of Listening to Music during Meditation (冥想)
There are many benefits of listening to music during meditation. If you haven’t tried it yet, you should! It is not only relaxing but also beneficial for your mental health.
Reduce Stress
One of its benefits is a reduction in the levels of stress and anxiety.
Balance Your Emotions
Inspire You
When you listen to music while meditating, you feel inspired. This brings about a good feeling, and you can relax and enjoy yourself. You will also feel great about yourself. This is a great inspiration to someone who has lost hope in life.
Wonderful, wasn’t it? The journey through music and meditation is something we should all try. Your body, mind, and soul will connect with each other.
| A．Your health will be harmed. |
| B．Here are some of the benefits. |
| C．Not only that, your quality of life will improve too. |
| D．Meditation can help you live a life free of anxiety. |
| E．Stress is one of the most common issues in today’s world. |
| F．Maintaining an emotional balance is very important. |
| G．You can recommend it to someone who is struggling with hopelessness. |
3 . Can you imagine a world without music? Studies show that public schools across the country are cutting back on music classes to save money. Worse, some schools have never had music classes to begin with. But without them,students’ academic growth and emotional health could suffer. In fact, music classes are necessary for all students in schools.
Recent studies by Brown University have shown that students who received music education classes were better in maths and reading skills than those without music classes. Another study by the College Board found that students taking music and art classes got higher points. Students' academic success seems to depend on their taking part in music education.
Music programmes in public schools also help to add to a students sense of pride and self-confidence. Teens today have too many learning tasks. Besides, they have family problems, self-confidence problems, relationship troubles, and other troubles. All of these can stop academic success, but music education can help. A study by the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse found that students who took part in school music programmes were less likely to turn to drugs. Music programmes encourage students to work together to produce an excellent performance.
Music crosses language, class, cultural and political boundaries. Music allows students from different countries to connect. For example, at a school talent show, a new Japanese student played a piano duet with an American classmate. Although they could not communicate verbally, they were able to read the music in order to play the duet. Two students from different cultures worked as a team with self-confidence and common purpose through music.
The gift of music is priceless. We need to be sure to have necessary music classes for all students. The world is losing its music, and putting music into schools is the first step to get it back.
1. What can we learn about education with music classes?| A．It allows schools to make more profits. |
| B．It leads to a lot of emotional problems easily. |
| C．It helps students to improve their schoolwork. |
| D．It has a great influence on the culture of the country. |
| A．Not all students take part in music lessons. |
| B．Students with great success like to attend music lessons. |
| C．Music plays an important role in students’ success. |
| D．Students having music classes are better in all lessons. |
| A．different cultures have different styles of music |
| B．music makes cross-country communication possible |
| C．Japan has a good international relationship with America |
| D．Japanese and American students are good at playing the piano |
| A．How to Get Music Back | B．Music Education in Schools |
| C．Music—a Bridge to Understanding | D．The Importance of Listening to Music |
4 . Who made the ABC song? Some people say a man named Charles Bradlee made the song. He was the first person to say he owned it. That was in 1834. Bradlee called the song “The Schoolmaster”. A schoolmaster is an old name for a teacher. No one knows where it came from. But we do have some clues.
Sounds Like Another Song
The ABC song sounds the same as “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. It has the same tune, or music. It sounds like “Baa Baa Black Sheep”, too. Try singing each song. Sing them in a row. You can hear for yourself! The tune was first printed in 1761. It didn’t have any words. No one knows who wrote it. Later, a woman wrote the words for “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”. Her name was Jane Taylor. She lived in England. She wrote the words in 1806. Mozart was a very famous composer. He wrote a piece of music in 1785. It sounds a lot like the ABC song!
We Learn Better From Songs
When the ABC song first became popular, few children went to school. Most people did not learn how to read. They did not learn how to write, either. As time went on, this changed. More people needed to know how to read and write. More children started learning the ABC song. It helped them remember the letters.
Why do we sing the ABC song? We could just read it quietly. Or we could say it without singing. Why is the song partly important? The answer is related to how we learn. Children have always leaned from grown-ups. But 200 year ago, most people couldn’t read or write. Children had to remember things. They could not write down what they learned. They could not read about it later. So it was important to remember. Songs helped people remember. People sang songs that told stories. They taught their children what they knew through songs.
So, no none really knows who made the ABC song. We do know that this song is popular today. Most children who learn to speak English will sing it. Then they will remember their letters!
1. How is the passage mainly developed?| A．By comparing. | B．By listing facts. |
| C．By telling a story. | D．By examining differences. |
| A．Charles Bradlee | B．Jane Taylor. |
| C．Mozart. | D．No one knows the answer exactly. |
| A．Songs help children remember the letters. |
| B．Songs told stories. |
| C．People can teach what they know to children through songs. |
| D．Songs help people have a happy life. |
| A．To test the readers. | B．To show the song is important. |
| C．To introduce the topic. | D．To analyze the cause and effect. |
5 . The word “music” is easier to use in practice than to explain. Music is a reminder (提醒物) of how things once were, a symbol of how things are and a view of where society is headed. Music can bring us back to memories we wish to never forget, or bring us hope when we feel that all is lost. According to Nietzsche, “Nothing is worth living for without music.” And Albert Einstein once said, “Without the music education in my childhood, I would succeed in nothing.”
Most of us enjoy different kinds of music just to entertain (娱乐). Are there other reasons for us to listen to music? Some types of music can make us feel relaxed. After a long workday, classical music or certain types of jazz can physically relax our bodies and take our attention away from the cares of the day—at least for a while. On the other hand, loud, fast music with a strong beat can excite us. In fact, sometimes we may prefer one kind of music, but at other times, that’s the last thing we want to listen to.
Music also affects our feelings. Movie music can most clearly show this. If you close your eyes in an action movie or a disaster movie, you can pretty much tell what’s happening on the screen by the music alone. The same is true for a love story. Film composers (作曲家) such as John Williams get paid big money for their ability to change your feelings from moment to moment. So what’s going on between you and music? Clearly, music and feelings are closely connected in some non-physical way.
1. Why are Nietzsche and Albert Einstein mentioned in Paragraph 1?| A．To show music helps people succeed. | B．To show the development of music. |
| C．To show the importance of music. | D．To show music is everywhere. |
| A．Classical music is more popular than jazz. |
| B．Entertainment is the whole story of music. |
| C．An artist’s character decides his music style. |
| D．People need different music at different times. |
| A．They can introduce different music to people. |
| B．They can produce an effect on people’s feelings. |
| C．They can connect with people non-physically. |
| D．They can help people become confident. |
| A．The Power of Music | B．Different Kinds of music |
| C．The True Meaning of Music | D．The Entertainment Value of music |
Music technology
Because music technology is a mixture of music and technology, those
7 . In 1947 a group of famous people from the art world headed by an Austrian conductor decided to hold an international festival of music, dance and theatre in Edinburgh. The idea was to reunite Europe after the Second World War.
It quickly attracted famous names such as Alec Guinness, Richard Burton, Dame Margot Fonteyn and Marlene Dietrich as well as the big symphony orchestras(交响乐团). It became a fixed event every August and now attracts 400,000 people yearly.
At the same time, the “Fringe” appeared as a challenge(挑战) to the official festival. Eight theatre groups turned up uninvited in 1947, in the belief that everyone should have the right to perform, and they did so in a public house disused for years.
Soon, groups of students firstly from Edinburgh University, and later from the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Durham and Birmingham were making the journey to the Scottish capital each summer to perform theatre by little -- known writers of plays in small church halls to the people of Edinburgh.
Today the “Fringe”, once less recognized, has far outgrown the festival with around 1,500 performances of theatre, music and dance on every one of the 21 days it lasts. And yet as early as 1959,with only 19 theatre groups performing, some said it was getting too big.
A paid administrator(行政人员) was first employed only in 1971, and today there are eight administrators working all year round and the number rises to 150 during August itself. In 2004 there were 200 places housing 1,695 shows by over 600 different groups from 50 different countries. More than 1.25 million tickets were sold.
1. What was the purpose of Edinburgh Festival at the beginning?| A．To bring Europe together again. | B．To honor heroes of World War II. |
| C．To introduce young theatre groups. | D．To attract great artists from Europe. |
| A．They owned a public house there. | B．They came to take up a challenge. |
| C．They thought they were also famous. | D．They wanted to take part in the festival. |
| A．unpopular groups | B．non-official groups |
| C．foreign groups | D．local groups |
| A．has become a non-official event | B．has gone beyond an art festival |
| C．gives shows all year round | D．keeps growing rapidly |
8 . Music festivals in Europe
Visiting a festival abroad can be a great reason to travel and a way to experience different cultures. These days there is such a number of choices that it’s possible to spend the whole summer watching live music in exciting places. Of course, it’s also a chance to meet people from across the world.
Melt! Festival, Germany
This festival takes place on the site of an open air museum for industrial machinery. There’s also a lake which can be used for swimming when it’s hot. This year’s line-up has over 120 different bands (乐队). Around 90% of the people attending the festival are German providing a perfect chance to practise speaking the language.
Exit Festival, Serbia
Set on the banks of the Danube in an old fortress (城堡), the festival began as a way to show people’s dissatisfaction with the government. These days it’s less political (政治的) but still worries about people who are poor, ill, old, etc and tries to help them. This year’s festival will host many famous bands. From electronic music and dance music to hard rock, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Open’er Festival, Poland
Held in an airfield near the northern city of Gdansk, each year Open’er has a seriously good selection of bands. This year is no exception, with many famous bands set to play. Not only are there amazing artists, but both Poland and the festival itself also provide very excellent value for money.
Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Scotland
Set on a Scottish estate (庄园) near Inverness, this year Belladrum will welcome artists from around the world. The most enjoyable part of the weekend is the ceilidh (traditional Scottish dance and party) which is always a lively event. It doesn’t even matter if you’re a beginner because the band teaches you each dance.
1. What is special about Melt! Festival?| A．It provides German lessons. | B．It is held by a local museum. |
| C．The bands are from 120 countries. | D．Most of the festival goers are German. |
| A．For political reasons. | B．For personal reasons. |
| C．To help stop a fight. | D．To offer help to the poor. |
| A．It falls in summer. |
| B．It is a live music festival. |
| C．It teaches people Scottish dances. |
| D．It invites the most famous bands. |
9 . Diana Ross, American pop singer and actress, achieved international popularity, first as the leader singer of the Supremes and later as a solo(独唱的) artist. Diana Ross was born on March 26, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan. She was the second of six children of Fred and Ernestine Ross, who lived in one of Detroit’s poor districts. Because her family were closely connected with each other,Ross almost didn't notice the difficult life as she grew up.
Ross professional career began in 1959, when she joined several neighborhood friends to form the Primettes. The group was renamed the Supremes after signing a recording contract (合同) with Motown late the following year. The group produced many number-one hit singles (热门单曲) on the US Billboard hot 100, including Baby Love, Stop! In The Name of Love and Someday We Will Be Together. In 1967, the group was renamed Diana Ross and the Supremes, foreshadowing（预示） Ross’solo career,which she started in 1970.
Beginning with Ain’t No Mountain High Enough from her first solo album, Ross enjoyed more than ten years of great success with her hit singles. Ross also developed a film-acting career in the 1970s, beginning with a starring role as blues singer Billie Holiday in Lady Sings the Blues and continuing with Mahogany, for which she also recorded the theme song Do You Know Where You’re Going To.
However, in the mid-1980s, Ross saw her career begin to wane. Most of her albums were re-recordings of earlier material. In 2006, she produced I Love Y ou, a collection of love songs by many artists, and she started an energetic concert tour the following year to make the album publicly known. Although you can’t find her songs on the US Billboard Hot 100 now, Ross remains popular as one of the leading musical performers of all time.
1. According to the passage, the Supremes ____.| A．had to break up in 1967 |
| B．used to be named the Primettes |
| C．was made up of Ross and her classmates |
| D．signed a contract with Motown in 1959 |
| A．Baby love. |
| B．Stop! In the name of love. |
| C．Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. |
| D．Someday We’ll Be Together. |
| A．It was the theme song of Mahogany. |
| B．It was one of Ross’No.1 hit singles. |
| C．It was sung by a blues singer. |
| D．It was from Ross’first film. |
| A．Develop faster. |
| B．End quickly. |
| C．Start again. |
| D．Become weaker. |
10 . Composer David Cope is the inventor of a computer program that writes original works of classical music. It took Cope 30 years to develop the software. Now most people can't tell the difference between music by the famous German composer J.S.Bach（1685-1750）and the Bach-like compositions from Cope's computer.
It all started in 1980 in the United States, when Cope was trying to write an opera. He was having trouble thinking of new melodies, so he wrote a computer program to create the melodies. At first this music was not easy to listen to. What did Cope do? He began to rethink how human beings compose music. He realized that composers' brains work like big databases. First, they take in all the music that they have ever heard. Then they take out the music that they dislike. Finally, they make new music from what is left. According to Cope, only the great composers are able to create the database accurately, remember it, and form new musical patterns from it.
Cope built a huge database of existing music. He began with hundreds of works by Bach. The software analyzed the data: it broke it down into smaller pieces and looked for patterns. It then combined the pieces into new patterns; Before long, the program could compose short Bach-like works. They weren't good, but it was a start.
Cope knew he had more work to do---he had a whole opera to write. He continued to improve the software. Soon it could analyze more.complex music. He also added many other composers, including his own work, to the database. A few years later, Cope's computer program, called “Emmy”, was ready to help him with his opera. The process required a lot of collaboration(合作) between the composer and Emmy. Cope listened to the computer's musical ideas and used the ones that he liked. With Emmy, the opera took only two weeks to finish. It was called Cradle Falling, and it was a great success! Cope received some of the best reviews of his career, but no one knew exactly how he had composed the work.
Since that first opera, Emmy has written thousands of compositions. Cope still gives Emmy feedback（反馈) on what he likes and doesn't like of her music, but she is doing most of the hard work of composing these days！
1. What led David Cope to invent software?| A．He had difficulties in writing an opera. |
| B．He dreamed of developing software. |
| C．He wanted to help composers. |
| D．He was fond of classical music. |
| A．His Cradle Falling wasn’t popular. |
| B．He had kept on improving his software. |
| C．He composed Bach-like works well at the beginning. |
| D．He has shifted his attention to invent different software. |
| A．Cope’s database includes Bach’s works only. |
| B．Bach’s music helped Cope a lot. |
| C．Cope is a computer programmer. |
| D．Emmy did much more work than Cope in composing. |
| A．The Invention of a Software for Creating Music |
| B．Ways to Create a Music Database |
| C．David Cope--a Music Genius |
| D．How to Start Creating Music |
