“Without music, life would be a mistake,” famous German philosopher(哲学家)Friendrich Nietzsche said over a century ago. Music is a big part of our lives. But in recent years, some US schools have cut music classes to control budgets(预算).

For example, Chicago public schools hurt arts education when it fired over 1,000 teachers. Among them, 10 percent of the teachers taught art or music, according to The Washington Times. In fact, this is not just a problem in the US. In other countries, such as China and the UK, music classes are not thought to be as important as ones like science, math and history. That’s partly because music is not seen as a very important life skill, and it isn’t tested. Many students are busy with schoolwork, so parents and students choose to focus on subjects that are tested more often.

However, learning music is beneficial(有益的)in many ways.

When playing music, you need different abilities to work together. It is not as simple as it looks, according to Kenneth Guilmartin of Music Together, an early childhood music development program. For example, when playing the piano, people see music notes and decode(解码)them in their brains. They also use their fingers to make sounds. You need to deal with all these things at the same time.

Music has a special connection with science as well. You can see that many scientists are good at playing music: Einstein played the violin, and German physicist Max Planck was talented in playing the piano.

1.Some schools in the US cut music classes, because ______.

A.they were too difficult to learn B.students in the US weren’t interested in music

C.the schools wanted to control budgets D.there weren’t enough music teachers in the US

2.In Paragraph 2, what does the underlined word “them” refer to(指代)?

A.Students in Chicago. B.Public schools. C.Parents in Chicago. D.Fired teachers.

3.What’s the main idea of Paragraph 4?

A.Different abilities are needed to work together while we are playing music.

B.Playing the piano needs people to use fingers to make sounds.

C.Decoding music notes is needed while we are playing music.

D.Playing the piano needs people to see music notes.

4.How many scientists who are good at playing music are mentioned in this passage?

A.One. B.Two. C.Three. D.Four.

5.What’s the writer’s opinion according to this passage?

A.Music is as simple as it looks. B.Music classes should be cut in some schools.

C.Music is a big part of our lives. D.Music isn’t a very important life skill for us.

A little boy selling magazines(杂志)walked up to an old man's house. The old man seldom(很少)came out and never said hello to neighbors. The boy knocked on the door and waited. Slowly, the door opened. "What do you want?" the old man said. "Uh. sir. I am selling _____________ and, uh, would you like to_____________one?

The old man just looked at the boy, saying nothing. The boy could see inside the house and saw that he had dog figurines(小雕像)above the fireplace. "Do you collect____________? " the little boy asked. "Yes, they are my family here. "The old man was ready to close the door on the boy and said, "No, boy, I don't need any magazines."

The little boy felt _____________ for the old man because he was alone. Then he thought_____________ a little dog figurine that he had. The boy returned to the old man's house with it. He knocked on the door again and the old man came right to the door. "Boy, I thought I told you no magazine.

"No, sir, I know that, I wanted to____________ you a gift. "The boy handed him the figurine and the old man's face lit up. The old man was _____________and said. "Boy, you have a big heart, Why are you doing this?" The boy smiled at the old man and said, "_____________ you like dogs. "

From that story on, the old man started coming out and greeting people. He and the_____________became friends. This simple nice gesture(举动)changed_____________their lives forever(永远).

1.A.magazines B.books C.milk D.newspapers

2.A.watch B.eat C.catch D.buy

3.A.cats B.rabbits C.dogs D.pigs

4.A.sad B.angry C.happy D.bored

5.A.over B.out C.of D.up

6.A.hold B.carry C.take D.give

7.A.bored B.worried C.surprised D.relaxed

8.A.Though B.Because C.Unless D.Until

9.A.girl B.boy C.woman D.cat

10.A.all B.both C.either D.neither

There are many kinds of places for you to stay in Britain if you visit there. Whatever your plan is, the choice — from basic barn to small hotel, from tiny cottage to grand castle — is all part of fun.

Hostels(招待所)

Cheap, good-value hostels are aimed at all types of like-minded travelers, who prefer value over luxury and you don’t have to be young or single to use them. Britain’s independent hostels and backpackers hostels also offer a great welcome. Facilities(设备) and prices vary, especially in rural(偏远的) areas, where some hostels are a little more than a bunkhouse(临时住房) while others are remarkably comfortable — almost like cheap hotels.

Youth hotels

Founded many years ago to “help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside”, the Youth Hotels Association is still going strong in the 21st century. The network of 230 hotels is a perfect gateway for exploring Britain’s towns and countryside.

B&Bs

The B&B (bed and breakfast) is a great British institution(机构). Sometimes you get a room in somebody’s house, and small B&Bs may only have one guest room, so you’ll really feel like part of the family. Larger B&Bs may have four or five rooms and more facilities, but just as warm as a welcome.

In country areas your B&B might be in a village or a farm surrounded by fields. Prices reflect facilities: and usually run from around £12 to £20 per person. City B&Bs charge about £25 to £30 per person, although they’re often cheaper as you go further out to the suburbs(郊区).

Pubs & Inns(小酒馆)

As well as selling drinks and meals, Britain’s pubs and inns sometimes offer B&B, particularly in country areas. Staying a night or two can be great fun and puts you at the heart of the local community.

Rates range from around £15 to £25 per person. Pubs are more likely to have single rooms.

1.In this passage the author mainly ________.

A.tells us where to stay while visiting Britain

B.advises readers to pay a visit to Britain

C.introduces the wonderful public services in Britain

D.gives us some information about British life

2.If you travel alone and want to know better about family life in Britain, you’d better stay in ________.

A.Pubs & Inns B.Youth Hotels C.Hostels D.B&Bs

3.Which of the following is NOT true according to the last part of the passage?

A.Pubs and inns sometimes provide visitors bed and breakfast.

B.All pubs and inns offer visitors bed and breakfast.

C.Pubs and inns charge a visitor £25 at the most.

D.If you want a single room, you are more likely to get one in pubs.

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