44. What is the author’s attitude toward the claims made by advocates of health foods?
(A) Very enthusiastic.
(B) Somewhat favorable.
(C) Neutral.
(D) Skeptical.
(5)
When was the first music written? The question can never be answered exactly, but it is likely
that some form of musical expression is nearly as old as language itself. Music seems to come to
mankind naturally. Every known society has songs. Children hum and sing nursery rhymes and
make up silly songs of their own, or so it seems to adults, for no other reason than having fun.
Infants respond to familiar jingles and advertising music. But what is music? Again the answer is
evasive. We know the ancient Egyptians had music, yet they were totally ignorant of harmony.
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The Greeks, arguably the most cultured society of the past, enjoyed the many delights of music, but
usually only as a means to more fully express poetry, and they had not even the most basic concept of
key. But regardless of the differences between today’s music and the music of the past, music has a
long and glorious history indeed. Whether music’s origins were sacred, using simple melodies to
accompany early religious rites, or commonplace, arising spontaneously to show pleasure or
satisfaction, will remain a mystery. But there is much about music we do know.
Music has the power to elevate our feelings and temporarily place us above the grinding concerns
of everyday life. It can make us weep with sadness, or, just as easily, with joy. A grand symphony can
stir feelings of passionate national pride while a catchy pop song can bring up memories of a now long
distant youth. Music is the most ordinary and accessible of the arts. Everyone, illiterate or a concert
pianist schooled at Juilliard, has a favorite song. It is impossible to go a day without hearing music.
Turn on the radio? Music. Watch television or a movie? Music. Attend a sporting event, observe a
group of children playing, or go shopping at a mall? Music, music, and more music. Music enhances
all of life’s passions. It accompanies human experience from the base to the most noble. Without
music life would be dreary indeed, but there is no cause for concern. Man could sooner live without
bread than without music.