Question

Is there a connection between music and language? According to recent studies, the answer is ________: Music improves certain (某种) language abilities (能力) in the brain. Here, we look at two examples.

A recent study by researcher Kraus shows that playing a musical instrument can improve a person’s ________ ability. In his study, two groups of people listened to a person talking in a ________ room: The people in the first group were musicians, while those in the second group had no musical training. The musicians were able to hear the talking person ________.

Musicians hear better ________ they learn to pay attention to certain sounds. Think about violinists in an orchestra. When the violinists play with the group, they hear their own instrument and many other ________, too. But the violinists must listen closely to what they are playing, and pay ________ attention to the other sounds. ________, musicians are able to focus on (专注于) certain sounds, even in a room with lots of noise.

Schlaug, a ________ at Harvard Medical School, works with stroke (中风) patients (病人). ________ their illness, these people cannot say their names, addresses, or other information normally. However, they can ________ sing. Schlaug was surprised to ________ that singing words helped his patients to speak. Why does this work? Schlaug isn’t sure. Music ________ to make different parts of the brain work, and even the damaged (损坏的) parts. This might ________ patients to use that part of the brain again.

Music improves concentration (注意力), memory, listening skills, and our overall language abilities. It can even help sick people get better. Playing an instrument or singing can help us do better in school and keep our brain sharp (敏锐的) as we get ________. Music is not only enjoyable, it’s also good for us in many other ways.

1.A.yes B.unknown C.no D.possible

2.A.language B.speaking C.hearing D.singing

3.A.large B.dirty C.beautiful D.noisy

4.A.clearly B.more clearly C.quickly D.more quickly

5.A.so B.because C.when D.after

6.A.voices B.people C.noises D.instruments

7.A.no B.a lot of C./ D.a little

8.A.Anyway B.By the way C.On the way D.In this way

9.A.headmaster B.scientist C.doctor D.student

10.A.When B.Because of C.After D.Thanks to

11.A.hardly B.finally C.still D.only

12.A.find B.see C.know D.learn

13.A.trains B.starts C.gets D.seems

14.A.explain B.teach C.help D.stop

15.A.stronger B.older C.cleverer D.taller

Answer 1