Question

Background 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 USA. Very soon it spread to other parts of the world. Now it is becoming difficult to go shopping or eat a meal without listening to background music.

　　To begin with, background music was intended simply to create a soothing (舒适的) atmosphere. Recently, however, it's becoming a big business. An American marketing expert has shown that music can boost(提升) sales or increase factory production by as much as a third.

　　But it has to be the light music. Lively music has no effect at all on sales. Slow music can increase receipts(收入) by 34%. This is probably because shoppers slow down and have more opportunity to spot items they would like to buy. Yet, slow music isn't always the answer. The expert found 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 faster music to keep the customers moving-unless, of course, the resulting indigestion(消化不良) leads to complaints.

1.Background music was first used ________.

A．in the cinemas and theatres in the USA

B．in the offices and hospitals in the USA

C．in the schools and churches in the USA

D．in the factories, shops and restaurants in the USA

2.An American marketing expert has found background music can __________.

A．increase sales or factory production

B．create a soothing atmosphere

C．make people slow down

D．make people forget their worries

3.Slow music is useless in ________ in increasing sales.

A．shops

B．restaurants

C．factories

D．cinemas

4.Restaurant owners are advised to play ________ to increase overall sales.

A．lively music

B．loud music

C．slower music

D．faster music

 

Answer 1

【答案】

1.D

2.A

3.B

4.D

【解析】

试题分析：本文讲述的是背景音乐在不同的场合下的不同的作用。

1.D 细节题。根据第一段第二句Recorded background music first found its way into factories, shops and restaurants in the USA.可知D正确。

2.A 细节题。根据第二段最后一句An American marketing expert has shown that music can boost(提升) sales or increase factory production by as much as a third.可知A正确。

3.B 细节题。根据第三段第三行The expert found that in restaurants slow music meant customers took longer to eat their meals, which reduced overall sales.可知在餐厅里播放轻音乐是没有效果的，反而会减少销量。故B正确。

4.D 细节题。根据文章最后一段. So restaurant owners might be well advised to play faster music to keep the customers moving-unless, of course, the resulting indigestion(消化不良) leads to complaints.可知我们要建议餐厅里播放快速的音乐来增加销量。故D正确。

考点：考察社会现象类短文阅读

点评：本文讲述的是背景音乐在不同的场合下的不同的作用。文章基本上是考查细节题，对此类题型考生可以首先从问题中找到关键词，然后以此为线索，运用略读及查阅的技巧在文中迅速寻找这一细节，找到后再把这一部分内容仔细阅读一遍，仔细比较所给选项与文中细节的细微区别，在准确理解细节的前提下，最后确定最佳答案。