Question

    For some people,music is no fun at all. About four percent of the population is what scientists call “amusic.” People who are amusic are born without the ability to recognize or reproduce musical notes(音调). Amusic people often cannot tell the difference between two songs. Amusics can only hear the difference between two notes if they are very far apart on the musical scale.

As a result, songs sound like noise to an amusic. Many amusics compare the sound of music to pieces of metal hitting each other. Life can be hard for amusics. Their inability to enjoy music sets them apart from others. It can be difficult for other people to identify with their condition. In fact, most people cannot begin to grasp what it feels like to be amusic. Just going to a restaurant or a shopping mall can be uncomfortable or even painful. That is why many amusics intentionally stay away from places where there is music. However, this can result in withdrawal and social isolation. “I used to hate parties,” says Margaret,a seventy-year-old woman who only recently discovered that she was amusic. By studying people like Margaret, scientists are finally learning how to identify this unusual condition.

Scientists say that the brains of amusics are different from the brains of people who can appreciate music. The difference is complex, and it doesn't involve defective hearing. Amusics can understand other nonmusical sounds well. They also have no problems understanding ordinary speech. Scientists compare amusics to people who just can't see. certain colors.

Many amusics are happy when their condition is finally diagnosed(诊断). For years, Margaret felt embarrassed about her problem with music. Now she knows that she is not alone. There is a name for her condition. That makes it easier for her to explain. “When people invite me to a concert, I just say,” No thanks, I'm amusic,'“says Margaret. “I just wish I had learned to say that when I was seventeen and not seventy.”

1.Which of the following is true of amusic?

A.Listening to music is far from enjoyable for them.

B.They love places where they are likely to hear music.

C.They can easily tell two different songs apart.

D.Their situation is well understood by musicians.

2.According to Paragraph 3, a person with “defective hearing” is probably one who ___________.

A.dislikes listening to speeches

B.can hear anything nonmusical

C.has a hearing problem

D.lacks a complex hearing system

3.In the last paragraph, Margaret expressed her wish that __________.

A.her problem with music had been diagnosed earlier

B.she were seventeen years old rather than seventy

C.her problem could be easily explained

D.she were able to meet other amusics

4.What is the passage mainly concerned with?

A.Amusics' strange behaviours.

B.Some people's inability to enjoy music.

C.Musical talent and brain structure.

D.Identification and treatment of amusics.

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.A

4.B

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。讲述了一群特殊的人——“音盲”（没有乐感的人），对他们而言，音乐如同噪音一般，没有任何乐趣。没有欣赏音乐的能力给他们的生活带来了诸多不便，不过，令人高兴的是，他们的这种状况目前已得到诊断，他们的大脑与能够欣赏音乐的人的大脑有所不同，而且这种差异很复杂。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段中For some people, music is no fun at all. About four percent of the population is what scientists call “amusic.”可知对有些人来说，音乐对他们说没有任何乐趣而言。大约4%的人口是科学家所说的“音盲”。由此可知，A项“听音乐对他们来说远非享受”符合对音盲的描述，故选A。

2.推理判断题。根据第三段中The difference is complex, and it doesn't involve defective hearing. Amusics can understand other nonmusical sounds well.可知两者的区别很复杂，并不涉及听力缺陷。音盲可以很好地理解其他非音乐的声音。由此可推知，“听力有缺陷”的人可能是指一个听力有障碍的人。故选C。

3.细节理解题。根据最后一段中“I just wish I had learned to say that when I was seventeen and not seventy.”可知“我真希望我是在十七岁而不是七十岁的时候学会这么说的。”由此可知，Margaret表达了她的愿望，希望自己在音乐方面的问题能早点得到诊断。故选A。

4.主旨大意题。文章的第一段告诉读者大约4%的人音乐对于他们而言，没有任何乐趣可言，他们没有辨别与再现音调的能力；第二段讲述歌曲对于没有乐感的人来说听起来像噪音，以及由此给他们的生活带来的不便；第三段分析了原因，是因为他们的大脑与能欣赏音乐的人的大脑不同造成的，但这又不同于有听力障碍的人；最后一段以Margaret为例，说明他们的这种状况最终得以诊断。可知这篇文章主要讲的是有些人不能欣赏音乐。故选B。