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

The Unexplained Mystery of Pyramid

The Pyramids in Egypt are really something special. We still don’t really know how the Egyptians built the largest pyramid at all, known as the Great Pyramid of Cheops (or Khufu), some 5,000 years ago. Remember, this was even before the invention of the wheel.

The most famous pyramids are the Egyptian pyramids — huge structures built of brick or stone, some of which are among the world’s largest constructions. The age of the pyramids reached its top at Giza in 2575-2150 B.C. In 2008, some 138 pyramids have been discovered in Egypt. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the largest in Egypt and one of the largest in the world. Until Lincoln Cathedral in England was finished in AD 1311, it was the tallest building in the world. The base is over 52,600 square meters in area. While pyramids are associated(关联的) with Egypt, the nation of Sudan has 220 extant pyramids, the most numerous in the world.

In the 1940s, a radio engineer named Karel Drbal claimed(声称) that small pyramids of a 1:1,000 scale as the Great Pyramid could sharpen knives. His explanation was that the pyramid shape focuses energy when precisely aligned (精确对齐) on the north-south axis (轴), which can renew steel.

Though the claims of Drbal and others, there is no scientific evidence that Pyramids have power. It is a cut and dry myth, probably driven by the nature of pyramids and their ancient, unexplained mysteries.

As the neurologist (神经学家) Terence Hines wrote: “People became quite crazy about Pyramid Power in the world of pseudoscience for a time in the mid-1970s. Actually, the idea was that the pyramidal shape itself was magical and filled with a mysterious energy and power.”

1.When did the pyramids develop the best?

A.in 2575-2150 B.C B.In 2008 C.in AD 1311

2.Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the passage?

A.The Great Pyramid of Giza is the tallest building in the world before AD 1311.

B.Sudan has the more extant pyramids than any other country in the world.

C.Lincoln Cathedral was built earlier than The Great Pyramid of Giza.

3.What does the underline word evidence mean in the passage?

A.方法 B.证据 C.痕迹

4.According to Karel Drbal __________.

A.the small pyramids of a 1:1,000 scale as the Great Pyramid are very sharp. ‘

B.the small pyramids of a 1:1,000 scale as the Great Pyramid can renew steel.

C.the Great Pyramid of a 1:1,000 scale as the small Pyramid could sharpen knives.

5.__________ can be inferred (推断) from the passage.

A.Pyramids have magic

B.Pyramids are mysteries

C.Pyramids belong to Egypt

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