a jazz CD. Researchers have shown just 45 minutes of relaxing music before bedtime can make for a restful night.

The Taiwanese researchers studied the sleeping patterns of 60 elderly people with sleep problems. They told the Journal of Advanced Nursing, how the technique was easy to learn and lacked the side-effects of other treatments. The study participants were either given a choice of music to listen to before going to sleep or nothing at all. The music group were able to choose from six tapes that featured soft, slow music—around 60-80 beats per minute—such as jazz, folk or orchestral pieces.

Listening to music caused physical changes that aided restful sleep, including a lower heart and respiratory rate, the researchers found. The people in the music group reported a 35% improvement in their sleep, including better and longer night-time sleep and less dysfunction during the day.

Listening for specific information

1. According to the passage, which of the following is the best when you have trouble getting to sleep?

2. How many people participated in the study?

3. What advantage did the technique have in treating sleep problems? 4. What kind of music did people in the music group listen to?

5. What would listening to music probably result in according to the researchers?

Passage Two

Listening for general information 1. stimulate the mind

2. create a meditative mood

Listening for specific information 1. D 2. B 3. C 4. A 5. B

■ Script

Listening for general information

Let’s face it—we all have some form of stress. Whether it’s due to work, school reports, family, or relationships, we could all use a break now and then. Yet in the hustle and bustle of everyday’s life, a lot of us can’t find the time to just drop everything and take it easy.

Well, what if someone told you that by just playing music from classical composers like Mozart, Strauss, or Vivaldi, you might find your job a little easier and that it is beneficial to your learning and mind relaxation. It can also reduce our levels of stress.

Various studies of children have shown that those who receive music education or play a musical instrument often have increased academic skills. Don Campbell, author of The Mozart Effect, has dedicated himself to studying the effects of music on the mind and body. He counsels students that classical music playing in the background can help them concentrate for longer periods of time and memorize material more easily. He feels that Mozart’s music has a balance that makes it especially beneficial. But Campbell doesn’t stop with Mozart. He says that Bach can stimulate the mind, military marches can rev up the body, and religious music can help create a meditative mood. It’s important to find what works best for your situation.

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So the next time you feel yourself overwhelmed with work and deadlines, or if you’re just finding it difficult to concentrate, remember the power of music. Listening for specific information

1. Why do people often suffer from stress according to the speaker?

2. Which of the following is not mentioned as the benefits of listening to classical music? 3. What does Don Campbell study?

4. What makes Mozart’s music especially beneficial? 5. Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Passage Three

Listening for general information

1. It means listening to a Mozart Sonata increases IQ. 2. Classical music, rock, hip hop, popular music etc. Listening for specific information 1. A 2. D 3. B 4. C 5. B

■ Script

Listening for general information

In 1993 researchers from the University of Wisconsin and UC Irvine discovered that listening to a Mozart Sonata increased IQ. This idea called the “Mozart Effect” has been confirmed by various studies around the world.

The study suggested that IQ rises 8 to 9 points when listening to Mozart compared to silence. Other studies have suggested improved test scores after listening to Mozart Piano Concertos. Why does this occur?

One reason is that classical music is generally very relaxing. Once the brain and body is relaxed, it is more receptive to new input. Classical music as opposed to silence or rock, hip hop or other popular music creates an environment that is conducive to cerebral activities.

Not all pieces of classical music are relaxing or create an environment for better cognitive abilities. However, compared to other genres of music, classical music has shown the most potential for increasing IQ.

Most classical music is “easy” to listen to, so much that it is sometimes considered “boring” compared to popular music. However, compared to other forms of popular music, it is less distracting. Therefore it helps improve focus while doing other activities.

Anecdotal evidence has shown that playing classical music to plants increases the speed and development of plant growth, and that playing classical music to babies increases the reasoning skills of the child.

Listening for specific information 1. When was the study conducted?

2. What happens to the brain when it is relaxed?

3. Why do people sometimes feel bored listening to classical music? 4. What will happen when playing classical music to plants?

5. Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?

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Ⅴ. Learn English Through a Radio Program

1. summer is over 2. falling to the ground 3. the greatest songs

4. have recorded this song 5. a lovely version 6. darker days and lost love 7. the death of a father 8. more hopeful song 9. leaving the big city 10. the promise of new love

■ Script

略

Ⅵ. Song

1. angel 2. subway ■ Script

略

3. crowded 4. caught

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5. truth

Unit Six Food and Our Health

Ⅰ. Pre-listening Activities

Part 1 略

Part 2 Keys 1. Keep clean 2. Separate raw and cooked 3. Cook thoroughly 4. Keep food at safe temperatures 5. Use safe water and raw materials Specific tips a. Protect kitchen areas and food from insects, pests and other animals. b. Store food in containers to avoid contact between raw and prepared foods. c. Reheat cooked food thoroughly. d. Do not thaw frozen food at room temperature. e. Do not use food beyond its expiry date. ■ Script

The first tip is to keep clean. You should wash your hands before handling food and often during food preparation. You should try to protect kitchen areas and food from insects, pests and other animals.

The second one is to separate raw and cooked food. Storing food in containers can avoid contact between raw and prepared foods.

The third is to cook thoroughly, especially meat, poultry, eggs and seafood. You should bring foods like soups and stews to boiling to make sure that they have reached 70°C. For meat and poultry, you should make sure that juices are clear, not pink. Also, you should reheat cooked food thoroughly.

Then, you are advised to keep food at safe temperatures. Do not leave cooked food at room temperature for more than 2 hours and do not thaw frozen food at room temperature.

The last tip is to use safe water and raw materials. That means do not use food beyond its expiry date.

Ⅱ. Listening Tasks

Task 1 Understanding News Reports

News Item 1

1. C 2. A News Item 2

3. A 4. D News Item 3

5. C 6. A 7. D

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