Question

    Schools are under constant pressure to make budget cuts, and music programs are often first on the chopping block. However, a recent study from the University of British Columbia in Canada has shown that students who took music lessons in high school performed better in subjects such as English, science, and math.

The researchers collected data from over 100,000 students at public high schools across the province of British Columbia. Some of them took music lessons during high school while others never attended them. Checking the test scores of students who took music classes with those of their peers, the study found that the musicians got higher grades in a range of different school subjects.

Research like this has been done before, but as for the number of respondents, this study is much larger, and it took into account other factors that may have affected the results. For example, perhaps students who took music classes were encouraged to do so because they already had good grades. This UBC study rules out a number of other factors that could explain why music students performed better academically, and the researchers still find a clear effect of music lessons on academic performance.

Not only did music students perform better than non-musicians, but students who played an instrument did even better than those who sang. “Learning to play a musical instrument and playing in an ensemble(乐团) is very rewarding,” says Martin Guhn, one of the researchers, “A student can learn to read music notes, achieve eye-hand-mind coordination, develop keen listening skills and establish interpersonal relationships.”

What this study doesn't tell us, though, is why music makes these students perform better academically, but the research paper mentions a few possible explanations. Music practice is linked with neurological(神经系统的) changes that improves certain brain functions, affecting memory and planning skills. Besides, there is a possible motivational factor. Students who take music lessons see a tangible result from practice—they get better—and they might apply that to their other work. And the non-competitive team aspect of making music together could strengthen students' social development, which would also help them in other alias.

1.How did the researchers find the result of the research?

A.By conducting tests. B.By analyzing causes.

C.By making comparisons. D.By building models.

2.How is the recent study different from previous ones?

A.It covered more school subjects.

B.It allowed for students who sang.

C.It was carried out nationwide.

D.It produced a more convincing result.

3.Why did the author mention Martin Guhn's words in Paragraph 4?

A.To speak highly of music students.

B.To explain why music helps students perform better.

C.To present the benefits of playing instruments.

D.To encourage students to join an ensemble.

4.What can be inferred from the last paragraph?

A.Music practice can make an overall improvement in students’ brain.

B.Progress made in music may motivate students to work harder in math.

C.Singing can't make any difference in improving students' memory.

D.Playing in an orchestra could make students less competitive in other fields.

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.C

4.B

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。最新的科学研究发现，上音乐课能帮助学生提高学习成绩。研究人员对此做出了一些可能的解释。

1.推理判断题。由第二段中“The researchers collected data from over 100,000 students at public high schools across the province of British Columbia. Some of them took music lessons during high school while others never attended them. Checking the test scores of students who took music classes with those of their peers, the study found that the musicians got higher grades in a range of different school subjects.”可知，研究人员收集了不列颠哥伦比亚省公立中学100,000名学生的数据。其中一些学生中学时期参加了音乐课而其他学生从来没有上过音乐课。研究人员将这两类孩子的学习成绩做了比较，发现学过音乐的孩子各学科成绩都更优异。由此判断出研究人员采用的是一种对比方法得出结果的。故选C项。

2.细节理解题。由第三段“Research like this has been done before, but as for the number of respondents, this study is much larger, and it took into account other factors that may have affected the results.”可知，人们之前也做过类似的研究。但是此次研究的调查对象涉及人数更多，而且此次研究把可能影响研究结果的其他因素也考虑到了。随后提到“This UBC study rules out a number of other factors that could explain why music students performed better academically, and the researchers still find a clear effect of music lessons on academic performance.”此次研究排除了影响成绩的其他因素之后，最终还是发现上音乐课对成绩有显著效果。由此可以得出，此次研究过程更加严谨，结果更加令人信服。故选D项。

3.推理判断题。第四段中Martin Guhn说“Learning to play a musical instrument and playing in an ensemble(乐团) is very rewarding,” says Martin Guhn, one of the researchers, “A student can learn to read music notes, achieve eye-hand-mind coordination, develop keen listening skills and establish interpersonal relationships.”学习一门乐器或者参加乐团是很有价值的一件事情。通过学习乐器，学生可以学会识别乐谱，促进手眼脑协调性，还能锻炼敏锐的听觉，建立良好的人际关系。印证了本段第一句话“Not only did music students perform better than non-musicians, but students who played an instrument did even better than those who sang.” 学音乐要比不学音乐好，而学乐器要比学唱歌好。由判断出为什么作者在第4段提到Martin Guhn的话是在讲学习乐器是一件有益的事。故选C项。

4.推理判断题。最后一段对音乐可以促进学习成绩提高做出了三点可能的解释。其中提到了“Besides, there is a possible motivational factor. Students who take music lessons see a tangible result from practice—they get better—and they might apply that to their other work.”学生在音乐课上通过不断练习可以获得显著的成果，这种在音乐课上获得的成就也为他们学习其他学科带来了动力。由此判断出音乐课上的成就可以激励孩子更努力学习数学。故选B项。