Any foreigner who has tried to learn Chinese can tell how hard it is to master the tones required to speak and understand. And anyone who has tried to learn to play the violin or other instruments can report similar challenges.
Now researchers have found that people with musical training have an easier time learning Chinese. Writing in the online edition of Nature Neuroscience,researchers from Northwestern University say that both skills draw on the same parts of the brain that help people discover changes in pitch(音调).
One of the study’s authors,Nina Kraus,said the findings suggested that studying music “actually tunes our sensory system”.This means that schools that want children to do well in languages should hesitate before cutting music programs,Dr.Kraus said. She said music training might also help children with language problems.
Mandarin(普通话)speakers have been shown to have a more complex encoding(编码) of pitch patterns in their brains than English speakers do. This is because in Mandarin and other Asian languages,pitch plays a central role. A single­syllable word can have several meanings depending on how it is intoned.
For this study,the researchers looked at 20 non­Chinese speaking volunteers,half with no musical background and half who have studied an instrument for at least six years.
As they were shown a movie,the volunteers also heard an audio tape of the Mandarin word “mi” in three of its meanings:squint,bewilder and rice. The researchers recorded activities in their brain stems to see how well they were processing the sounds. Those with a music background showed much more brain activities in response to the Chinese sounds.
The lead author of the study,Patrick C.M.Wong,said it might work both ways. It appears that native speakers of tonal languages may do better at learning instruments.
【小题1】When learning Chinese,a foreigner will find ________.

A.he has a difficult time learning music at the same time
B.he has an easier time learning music at the same time
C.it is hard to master the tones required to speak and understand
D.it is easy to use the brain to help him discover changes in pitch
【小题2】Why does Chinese learning have something to do with music training?
A.Because there is the same difficulty in learning Chinese and music.
B.Because skills to learn the two make use of the same parts of the brain.
C.Because music training might help people with language study.
D.Because people who do well in Chinese study do well in music.
【小题3】The underlined word “intoned” in the fourth paragraph can be replaced by the word “____”.
A.created B.spelled
C.seemed D.pronounced
【小题4】What would be the best title for this passage?
A.Mandarin Speakers Are Smarter than English Speakers
B.Skilled Ear for Music May Help Language Study
C.Pitch Plays a Central Role in Chinese Learning
D.Schools Need to Develop Music Programs

请认真阅读下列短文,并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入最恰当的单词。

When it comes to studying, some students may have different study habits, and some ways of studying may work for one and may not for another student. However, there are certain basic rules that can prove to be effective(有效的) in studying for an exam.

Make a plan for how to develop good study habits that last long. A plan should include a schedule(时间表) on when to study. It doesn’t have to be fixed(固定) and can be changed in case something more important and unexpected comes up. Start with a weekly schedule and determine which period of the day is filled with classes. Use some of the remaining time to study. When creating(制定) the schedule, one should include laboratory activities and extracurricular(课外的) work and take care of personal things and the job if there is one.

Study when one is fully awake and energetic(精力充沛); it is recommended. Study for no less than 30 to 90minutes after a meal or two hours every day. If one is tired from work and decides to study, it may not be effective, especially if one finds the subject too difficult. It will only give stress and that night might only be forgotten in the next morning when he wakes up. For some students, they can study anywhere if they want; it could be in the library, study rooms or private rooms. A place where one can to focus attention on one’s study is recommended.

Make friends with those that are also eager to learn and pass the exam or achieve good grades. However, one has to balance(平衡) the time to spend with friends. Have and keep a healthy relationship with them.

Take down notes during the class. The hints(暗示) of some questions teachers give will come out in the exam. Sometimes they repeat the topic more than twice, so pay more attention in class. If one does not understand the topic, don’t hesitate(犹豫) to ask questions. A failure in communicating is one of the most common mistakes among students.

Rewrite notes taken from the class. It will help remember the topics that have been discussed and will give one more new ideas. For some students, they find that rewriting notes is very effective.

Take a five-minute break or go out and get some fresh air once in a while when studying. It will relax the mind and help one think better. Do come back to study after taking a short break.

Title

How to be effective in studying for an exam

Theme

Although students’ study habits are 1.       , some basic rules can be helpful for them.

Creating a schedule

*The schedule should not be fixed because something important or that you weren’t 2.      may happen.

*Start with a weekly schedule and include all possible things.

(73)   and place

*Study during the time when you are fully awake and full of 3.     .

*Choose a suitable place where you can 4.   your attention  study.

The right friends

*Make friends with hard-working students.

*Balance the time or your relationship with them will be 5.     .

(77)    in class

*Take down the hints a something that is repeated many times during the class.

*Never hesitate to6.      with teacher.

Rewriting notes

Writing notes again is7.     in remembering well what you have learned.

Taking a break

A short break will make your mind8.       .

 

As she walked round the large shop, Edith realized how difficult it was to choose a suitable Christmas __1__for her father.

She __2__that he were as easy to please as her mother, who was __3__satisfied with perfume(香水). Besides, shopping at this time of the year was a most unhappy job. People stepped on your feet, pushed you with their shoulders and almost __4__ you over in their hurry in order to __5__ something cheap ahead of you.

Partly to have a rest, Edith paused in front of a counter, where some beautiful ties were on __6__. "They are __7__silk," the shop assistant told her with a smile trying to __8__her to buy one. But Edith knew from past __9__that her choice of ties hardly ever pleased her father.

She moved on slowly and then, quite by chance, stopped where a small crowd of men had gathered round a counter. She found some fine pipes(烟斗) on sale and the __10__were very beautiful. Edith did not hesitate(犹豫) for long, although her father __11__ smoked a pipe once in a while, she believed this was __12__ to please him.

When she got home, with her small but __13__present hidden in her handbag, it was time for supper and her parents were already at table. Her mother was in great __14__. "Your father has at last decided to stop smoking," she told her daughter happily. Edith was so __15__that she could not say a single word.

1.

A.suit

B.card

C.thing

D.gift

 

2.

A.believed

B.wished

C.thought

D.considered

 

3.

A.never

B.seldom

C.always

D.rarely

 

4.

A.turned

B.hit

C.brought

D.knocked

 

5.

A.watch

B.find

C.grasp

D.sell

 

6.

A.time

B.show

C.board

D.duty

 

7.

A.real

B.cheap

C.poor

D.exact

 

8.

A.hope

B.ask

C.force

D.persuade

 

9.

A.experience

B.things

C.books

D.school

 

10.

A.money

B.cigarette

C.shapes

D.shop

 

11.

A.always

B.nearly

C.only

D.never

 

12.

A.hardly

B.impossibly

C.possibly

D.certainly

 

13.

A.cheap

B.well-chosen

C.expensive

D.ready-made

 

14.

A.excitement

B.anger

C.sadness

D.disappointment

 

15.

A.glad

B.happy

C.surprised

D.excited

 

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