Do you play a musical instrument? If so, you may be getting smarter. A recent study shows that taking music lessons can raise a person’s IQ.
Scientists studied 132 children in Canadian schools. At the beginning of the school year, these children took an IQ test. Then they were divided into four groups. One group took singing lessons. Another group took weekly piano lessons. The third group took classes in drams(戲劇). And the last group did no special activities at all.
At the end of the school year, the 132 children took an IQ test again. In all four groups, the average score went up. However, the piano players’IQs went up 7.0 points on average. The average increase for the other three groups was only 4.3 points.
The researchers say that the difference is small and it may not result in better grades for the piano players. However,
they still consider the results important. Learning an instrument helps kids becomes better at concentrating and at memorizing things. Therefore, the researchers say, it may be good for brain development in young people.
If you have a chance to learn to play a musical instrument, never miss it. Remember it can make you smarter.
【小題1】 Which of the following is NOT true of the study?
| A．It was done in Canada. |
| B．It was done by some musicians. |
| C．It included four groups of children. |
| D．It took one school year to complete. |
【小題2】 Which of the following is true?
| A．Average IQ scores increased in all the groups. |
| B．Only the piano players’ IQs increased. |
| C．The average increase for all four groups was 4.3 points. |
| D．Most of the children’s IQs did not go up. |
【小題3】 The underlined word “they” in the passage refers to ______.
| A． better grades | B．piano players | C．researchers | D．instruments |
【小題4】 What’s the main idea of the passage?
| A．It’s good for us to listen to music. |
| B．Everyone should learn to play the piano. |
| C．Take an IQ test before you learn instruments. |
| D．Learning instruments may make kids smarter. |
