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If you ever have the desire to break out into song—in the shower, in the car, maybe at your neighbor's karaoke night—you should embrace it whole­heartedly. This ancient art can not only make you feel good, it can also improve your well­being, reduce your feelings of pain, and even extend your life.

Using your voice to sing, rather than simply carry out a conversation, offers unique benefits because singing affects our bodies. Also, studies link singing with a lower heart rate, decreased blood pressure and reduced stress according to Patricia Preston Roberts, a music therapist (ÖÎÁÆר¼Ò)£®(__1__)

Singing, particularly in a group, seems to benefit the elderly particularly well. As part of a three­year study examining how singing affects the health of those aged fifty­five and older, a Senior Singers Chorus was formed by the Levine School of Music in Washington.D.C. The seniors involved in the chorus, as well as seniors in two separate arts groups about writing and painting, showed significant health improvements compared to those in the control groups (¶ÔÕÕ×é). Obviously, the arts groups reported thirty fewer doctors' visit, fewer eyesight problems, less depression, and less need for medication. (__2__)

Even lead researcher Dr. Gene D. Coben, director of the Center on Aging at George Washington University, was surprised at how big an effect the seniors' arts participation had on their health. Coben said£¬“The average age of all the subjects was eighty. This is higher than life expectancy. So, if an effect were to be achieved, one would ordinarily expect to see less decline compared to the control group. The fact that there was so much improvement in many areas was the surprising factor.” (__3__) The seniors also noticed health improvements and they reported feeling better both in daily life and while singing.

The part of the brain that works with speech is different from the part that processes music. “People seem to enjoy doing something jointly with other people. There are a lot of facts that being socially involved is good for people with dementia (ÀÏÄê³Õ´ô)£¬” Ballard said.

The arts are showing up as a treatment tool in hospitals across the country. (__4__) If you are thinking of volunteering, singing at a hospital may be a good choice—not only for the patients, but also for yourself.

1£®Why was Coben surprised at the result of the study?

A£®The study was not expensive as expected.

B£®Arts acted as a treatment tool in hospitals.

C£®People's health in the arts group improved greatly.

D£®The seniors themselves noticed health improvements.

2£®What is the author's attitude towards arts?

A£®Doubtful.  B£®Positive.

C£®Negative.  D£®Worried.

3£®Where should the following sentence be put?

“She uses songs to help patients who suffer from a variety of problems.”

A£®(1)  B£®(2)

C£®(3)  D£®(4)

4£®What would be the best title for the passage?

A£®How to Avoid Getting Dementia

B£®How Seniors Live a Healthy Life

C£®How to Keep Our Brains Healthy

D£®How Singing Improves Your Health