Music is the art of thinking with sounds. — Jules Combarieu
Music produces significant and lasting changes in the brain. Schools should add music classes, not cut them. Nearly 20 years ago, a small study advanced the __1__ that listening to Mozart’s Sonata(奏鸣曲)could boost mental functioning. It was not long __2__ trademarked “Mozart effect” products began to __3_ anxious parents aiming to put toddlers(刚学步的孩子)on the fast track to top-ranking universities like Harvard and Yale. Georgia’s governor even __4__ giving every newborn there a classical CD or cassette.
The __5__ for Mozart therapy turned out to be weak, perhaps nonexistent, although the __6__ study never claimed anything more than a temporary and limited effect. In recent years, __7__, scientists have examined the benefits of a continuous __8__ to study and practice music, in contrast to playing a Mozart CD or a computer-based “brain fitness” game __9__.
Advanced monitoring __10__ have/has enabled scientists to see what happens inside your head when you listen to your mother and actually practice the violin for an hour every afternoon. And they have found that music __11__ can produce significant and lasting changes that __12__ the general ability to learn. These results should __13__ public officials that music classes are not a mere decoration, ready for being given up in the budget crises that constantly __14__ public schools.
Studies have shown that __15__ instrument training from an early age can help the brain to __16__ sounds better, making it __17__ to stay focused when absorbing other subjects, from literature to mathematics. The musically experienced are better able to __18__ a biology lesson despite the noise in the classroom __19__, a few years later, to finish a call with a client when a colleague in the next office starts screaming a subordinate(下属). They can be engaged in several things at once, which is a(n) __20__ skill in this era of multitasking.
1.A. note B. notice C. idea D. impression
2.A. until B. that C. since D. before
3.A. apply for B. appeal to C. interfere with D. get across
4.A. proposed B. pushed C. submitted D. permitted
5.A. context B. evidence C. symptom D. witness
6.A. advanced B. recent C. original D. latest
7.A. however B. moreover C. somehow D. therefore
8.A. potential B. attention C. research D. effort
9.A. frequently B. occasionally C. additionally D. optionally
10.A. principles B. techniques C. information D. management
11.A. subjects B. models C. causes D. lessons
12.A. improve B. introduce C. Ensure D. accelerate
13.A. convey B. convince C. contact D. conclude
14.A. disappoint B. distribute C. transform D. trouble
15.A. urgent B. casual C. hardworking D. outstanding
16.A. promote B. processs C. prefer D. predict
17.A. easier B. harder C. tougher D. faster
18.A. hold on B. concentrate on C. insist on D. count on
19.A. but B. so C. or D. for
20.A. elegant B. specific C. essential D. unique
CDBAB CADBB DABDC BABCC