1、阅读理解ABackground music may seem harmless, but it can have a powerful effect on those who hear it. Recorded background music first found its way into factories, shops and restaurants in the US. But it soon spread to other parts of the world. Now it is becoming increasingly difficult to go shopping or
2、eat a meal without listening to music.To begin with, “muzak” was intended simply to create a soothing (安慰) atmosphere. Recently, however, it has become big businessthanks in part to recent research. Dr Ronald Milliman, an American marketing expert, has shown that music can boost sales or increase fa
3、ctory production by as much as a third.However, it has to be light music. A fast one has no effect at all on sales. Slow music can increase receipts by 38%. This is probably because shoppers slow down and have more opportunity to spot items they like to buy. Yet, slow music isnt always the answer. D
4、r Milliman found, for example, that in restaurants slow music meant customers took longer to eat their meals, which reduced overall sales. So restaurant owners might be well advised to play uptempo_music to keep the customers movingunless of course, the resulting indigestion (消化不良) leads to complain
5、ts!背景音乐作为一种常见的音乐形式，已经渗透到人们生活的方方面面。不同的背景音乐可以产生不同的效果。1Background music means _.Alight music that customers enjoy mostBfast music that makes people move fastCslow music that can make customers enjoy their mealsDthe music you are listening to while you are doing something答案：D解析：推理判断题。选项中的前三项均只是背景音乐的一部分，
6、只有D项是完整的概括。2Restaurant owners complain about slow music because _.Ait results in indigestionBit increases their salesCit keeps customers movingDit decreases their sales答案：D解析：推理判断题。由文章最后一段可以看出，如果播放慢速背景音乐，客人的就餐时间就会变长，这样就会导致营业额的整体下滑。这样的结果餐馆老板自然要抱怨。3We can know from the text that _.Abackground music wa
7、s first used in big department storesBproper music can increase the selling of goodsClight music has a bad effect on productionDrestaurant owners had better play slow music to comfort their customers答案：B解析：推理判断题。由第二段中的has shown that music can boost sales可知，恰当的音乐可以促进销售。4The underlined expression “upt
8、empo music” probably means _.Aslow musicBfast musicClight music Dclassical music答案：B解析：词义猜测题。由上文的in restaurants slow music meant customers took longer to eat their meals可以看出，如果播放节奏慢的音乐，客人吃饭速度会变慢。为了让客人流动得快，自然要播放节奏快的音乐。BPharrell Williams takes a breath and considers how the past years have developed f
9、or him: ten Grammy Awards and a number of hit singles including a song that has caused countless fans to express how they are “happy”And the key, says the 43yearold known simply as Pharrell, has been taking advantage of audiences (听众的) need for heartfelt personal stories.“I think weve entered a new
10、singersongwriter time，” said the American singer and producer. “People want a story. They want a story they can connect to. Its not about what you have or what you dont have; its more about your journey and your viewpoint thats important to people.”Pharrell said he noticed a change in audiences tast
11、es over the past year in particular with the sudden success of his song Happy, which received little fanfare upon its release but has turned into an international hit. Countless videos populate sites like YouTube with people from Portugal and China to Abu Dhabi and Iran singing and dancing along to
12、the song.After seeing how far his song traveled, the singer broke down in tears during a televised interview with the famous talk show host Oprah Winfrey.“Its just encouraging to people who have something to say, something to express，” he said.The success has made Pharrell realize that people are se
13、arching for personal and emotional links (情感纽带), perhaps as a means of getting away from the modern technological world were living in today.“People want to feel. Theres too much thinking to deal with，” the singer said. “Were different from what we were 15 years ago. The only thing we have left that
14、 reminds (提醒) us that we are humans is feeling. Its the most important thing ever.”本文是一篇记叙文。文章主要介绍了美国歌手、音乐制作人法瑞尔威廉姆斯。5Whats the key to successful music according to Pharrell?AWriting happy songs.BFollowing your heart.CTelling moving stories.DSharing personal experiences.答案：D解析：推理判断题。根据第二段And the key
15、.has been taking advantage of audiences (听众的) need for heartfelt personal stories.和第三段中的its more about your journey and your viewpoint thats important to people可知，Pharrell认为音乐成功的关键在于要将个人的故事或观点赋予音乐中。6What can we learn about Pharrells song Happy?AIt received a cold welcome at the beginning.BIt became
16、popular overnight.CIt changed audiences tastes in music.DIt received different responses at home and abroad.答案：A解析：细节理解题。根据第四段中的his song Happy，which received little fanfare upon its release可知，这首歌曲发行初期遭冷遇。7How did Pharrell feel about his song?AIts success was caused by good luck.BIts success was with
17、in his expectations.CIt gave people hope and confidence.DIt prevented him giving up making music.答案：C解析：细节理解题。根据倒数第三段中的Its just encouraging to people who have something to say, something to express可知，Happy这首歌一直在鼓励人们，给人们希望和信心。8Why do people want to be connected to others emotionally?AThey need someon
18、e to talk to.BThey need others to help them think.CThey are tired of their own personal life.DThey feel less human in the technological world.答案：D解析：推理判断题。根据倒数第二段中的a means of getting away from the modern technological world were living in today以及最后一段中的People want to feel.和The only thing we have left that reminds (提醒) us that we are humans is feeling.可知，人们想相互之间建立情感纽带等联系是因为人们觉得在科技的世界中感受甚少，缺少人情味。