A
Is there a connection between music and language? According to recent studies, the answer is yes: Music improves certain language abilities in the brain. Here are two examples:
Music and hearing
A study from Northwestern University shows that playing a musical instrument can improve a person's hearing ability. As a part of the study, two groups of people listened to a person talking in a noisy 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 more clearly.
Musicians hear better, says study leader Nina Kraus, because 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 others, too. But the violinists must listen closely to what they are playing, and ignore the other sounds. In this way, musicians arc able to concentrate on certain sounds, even in a room with lots of noise.
Music and Speech
Gottfried Schlaug, a doctor at Harvard Medical School, works with stroke patients. Because of their illness, these people cannot say their names, addresses, or other information normally. However, they can still sing. Dr. Schlaug was surprised to find that singing words helped his patients to eventually speak. Why does this work? Schlaug isn't sure. Music seems to activate different parts of the brain, including the damaged parts. This somehow helps patients use those parts of the brain again.
Understanding the results
Music improves concentration, memory, listening skills, and our overall language abilities.
It can even help sick people get better. Playing an instrument or singing, says Nina Kraus, can help us do better in school and keep our brains sharp as we get older. Music, therefore, is not only enjoyable; it's also good for us in many other ways.
1. What two groups did Nina Kraus study?
A. Musicians and non-musicians.
B. Violinists and other musicians.
C. Noisy people and quiet people.
D. Hearing people and deaf people.
2 What is true about Nina Kraus and Gottfried Schlaug?
A They both work at Harvard Medical School.
B. They both play an instrument in an orchestra.
C. They both study how music and the brain are connected.
D. They both help sick people get better.
3. How does Gottfried Schlaug help stroke patients speak?
A. By playing music for them.
B. By getting them to sing words.
C. By teaching them to play instruments.
D. By helping them know their names.
【答案】1. A 2. C 3. B
【解析】
【分析】本文是一篇说明文。文章介绍了音乐和语言的关系，并通过研究论证了这一观点。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据文章第二段“The people in the first group were musicians, while those in the second group has no musical training. （第一组的人是音乐家，第二组的人没有音乐方面的训练）”可知，Nina Kraus研究的是音乐人和非音乐人，故选择A项。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段“The musicians were able to hear the talking person more clearly.（音乐家们能更清楚地听到说话的人）根据第三段“Musicians hear better, says study leader Nina Kraus, because they learn to pay attention to certain sounds. ”（研究负责人尼娜·克劳斯说，音乐家的听力更好，因为他们学会了注意某些声音）和第四段“Music seems to activate different parts of the brain, including the damaged parts. This somehow helps patients use those parts of the brain again（音乐似乎激活了大脑的不同部位，包括受损部位。这在某种程度上帮助患者再次使用大脑的这些部分）”可知，他们都在研究音乐和脑部的关系，故选择C项。
【3题详解】
细节理解题。根据第四段“singing words helped his patients to eventually speak（唱歌帮助他的病人最终说话）”可知，Gottfried Schlaug利用歌曲让中风的患者说话，故选择B项。
