Why do people listen to music? The answer may seem simple: making and hearing music is a pleasure. But music touches our lives in many other ways, too.

Music changes our moods (心情)

My brother doesn’t choose music according to what he wants to hear. Instead, he decides what he wants to feel and picks music depending on it. Upbeat (乐观的), bright-sounding music generally makes people feel happy. But some people enjoy listening to sad music. It can be like talking with a friend who understands your sadness. But for some people, sad music can make them feel even sadder.

Music helps us get things done

Do you ever listen to music while you work? I do, and I find that it sometimes helps me concentrate (全神贯注). According to one expert, music can help you pay attention to boring or repeated tasks. But when you are doing tasks that require more thought, music can make them harder.

My mom, a preschool teacher, uses music to manage her class. When she wants to call a child, instead of shouting the child’s name, she sings it. This creates a more active environment, while still getting the child’s attention.

Music brings people together

Music can also bring people closer to each other. This is especially true of music played live (现场直播). Live music often features (以……为特色) a group of people playing different instruments, which makes it a shared experience. Listeners can share the feelings that the song expresses. They also create memories together.

When they hear a certain song, they can be taken back to some points in the past. Therefore music can connect people not only to present people but also to people from their past.

Music is more than just entertainment; it’s a powerful force that influences us in many ways.

【小题1】Which of the following music will not make you happy?

A．Rabbit Dance.

B．Merry Christmas.

C．Moon Reflected on Second Spring.

【小题2】What does the underlined word “It” refer to (指的是)?

A．Sad music.

B．Listening to sad music.

C．Listening to upbeat music.

【小题3】Listening to music is not helpful when ________.

A．you are doing repeated tasks

B．you are doing easy tasks

C．the tasks require more thought

【小题4】Which of the following is not true?

A．Singing children’s names is impolite.

B．Listening to live music can make listeners share their feelings.

C．Music can make people become closer.

【小题5】What’s the writer’s attitude to music?

A．doubtful

B．active

C．uncertain