閱讀理解

A

Most students in America like popular music. Students carry small radios with earphones and listen to the music before class， after class， and at lunch. Students with cars buy large speakers and play the music loudly as they drive on the street.

Adult drivers listen to the music on the car radio as they drive to work. They also listen to the news about the sports， the weather and the life of American people. Most of the radio programs are music.

Popular music singers make much money. They make a CD or tape which radio stations use in many places. Once the popular singer is heard all over the country， young people will buy his or her tape. Some of the money from these tapes goes to the singer. Wherever the singer goes to， most of the young people want to meet him or her. Now the singer has become a national star.

There are other kinds of music that are important to Americans. One is called folk music which tells stories about the common life of Americans. Another is called western or country music. It was started by cowboys who would sing at night to the cows which they were watching. Today， any music about country life and the love between a country boy and his girl is called western or country music.

1. How many kinds of music are mentioned in the passage？

A. Two. B. Three.

C. Four. D. Five.

2. How do popular music singers become national stars？

A. By making a CD or tape.

B. By earning a lot of money.

C. By going to other countries to perform.

D. By getting popular of the young people.

3. From the passage we learn that nowadays country music is about the ___ .

A. life of cowboys

B. country life and love

C. school life in the country

D. common life of Americans

4. Which of the following is the best title for this passage？

A. Popular Music B. American Music

C. Classic Music D. Folk Music

B

Music died here last spring， or rather， it was killed by members of the school committee who ignored the importance of music and drama as part of the high?school curriculum （課程）.

The committee decided that teaching students how to take a standardized test is more important than a curriculum in which students can explore their interests in the arts as well as academics （文化）. Because the school system is running out of funding （資金）， it needs to make sure that students pass the mastery test or even more money will be lost. If students fail the state standardized test， it is not the fault of drama and music classes—they are failing because the “academic” classes are not sufficient.

It is painful to think of how many students will be discouraged from singing， acting， and playing instruments because school programs are no longer offered. Many families cannot afford private music lessons， and many potential musicians and artists may not find their calling if they are not exposed to it in school. The fact that the school committee thinks the arts are not worth the investment （投資） will certainly make some students believe the arts are not worth their time or support and the cycle will continue.

Teaching for a test does not shape students into complete， well-rounded （全面發(fā)展的） people. It blocks the natural sense to create and express feelings through art—there is more to life than the analytical thinking that math and English provide. What happens after a test？ Sure， a student might graduate， but they will have limited knowledge—certainly not a good preparation for the real world.

5. Why are music and drama not included in the highschool curricalum？

A. The school committee pays no attention to them.

B. The school is afraid of losing financial support.

C. The students are interested in neither of them.

D. The state standardized test is more important.

6. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage？

A. Students can be musicians and artists if they can afford private music lessons.

B. The school committee completely influences students attitude towards arts.

C. Quite a few students are discouraged from learning music and art in todays school system.

D. The sufficiency of the classes determines students performance in the mastery test.

7. What can we learn about music and art？

A. They can provide students with analytical thinking.

B. They can make students round-shaped people in future.

C. They can motivate students in creativity and expression.

D. They can help students graduate from high school easily.

8. What should be the best title of the passage？

A. Why Is Music so Important？

B. Who Killed Music and Drama？

C. How to Prepare for the Real World？

D. Can Curriculum Go Without Music？