新世纪大学英语口语考试1

Unite1:Songs

1.What kind of music do most people prefer, slow or fast music? Can you guess why?

It's hard to come to a definite conclusion. It depends. I think this has something to do with people's moods and personalities. A person in high spirits often enjoys quick-tempo music. When one feels blue, the choice is more likely to be slow, sad music to fit that mood. It seems to me that race may also play a role in our choice of music. Asians, like Chinese, Japanese and Koreans often enjoy slow melodies. The famous \Zhu\or \Romance of the Butterfly\is a case in point. When we move westward, to India and Europe, for example, we can easily observe the difference, for the musical rhythm there suddenly accelerates, and the music becomes more lively and upbeat.

2. What kind of music do you prefer, classical music or pop music? Personally, I prefer pop music, though I have no objection to classical music. Classical music composed by such great musicians as Beethoven and Mozart is indeed brilliant, but few people can really appreciate it, let alone play or sing it. Pop music is different. As the name suggests, it is popular with all people. We can easily understand pop songs. What's more, anyone can sing pop songs without much difficulty

since they require little professional training. Thus, the distance between the singer on the stage and the audience narrows. From time to time, the singer walks down to shake hands with fans, while the latter often sing along with their idols.

3. Do you think music can affect people's lives, for example, to calm people, to cheer them up, or to increase efficiency?

Generally speaking, I think so. At least this is true of most people. Mothers tend to hum a soothing lullaby instead of a military march to their babies. At a sports meeting, the music is often fast and vigorous. Seldom is a painfully slow serenade played. With respect to the issue of efficiency, I'm afraid it is rather controversial. Quite a few students prefer to listen to a Walkman or a Diskman while they are doing their homework. On the other hand, many demand absolute silence before they can concentrate on their academic work.

4. Do you like singing karaoke? Why?

I like to sing at a karaoke bar to relax. To my mind, this has at least two advantages. First, I can sing whatever I like to the accompaniment of the music from the TV. Second, after singing loudly or even screaming for a while, I often feel relaxed and forget my worries.

W: They play \Once More\all the time on the campus radio. Do you like it?

M: I do. I never get tired of it. I like the Carpenters. Their voices are so beautiful and clear. I guess that's why they're so popular.

W: I like the way their voices blend. There were just two of them, brother and sister, right?

M: Yes, Richard and Karen I think they were. She died I think. W: Yes, anorexia. It is hard to believe that someone so beautiful would starve herself to death.

M: It's a problem everywhere in the world, including China, I'm afraid. Women worry too much about their appearances, and are so crazy about losing weight.

W: Well, let's go for lunch before we go to the concert.

Tony: Listen! Quick, turn up the radio! Isn’t that “Can You Feel the Love Tonight? ” Tony: Listen! Quick, turn up the radio! Isn’t that “Can You Feel the Love Tonight? Musical MemoriesMusical Memories” Tony: Listen! Quick, turn up the radio! Isn’t that “Can You Feel the Love Tonight? ”

Nancy: Yeah, it is, but what’s the big deal?

Tony: When I was a little boy, my grandma took me to see the movie “The Lion King”. That’s the Elton John song from the movie.

Nancy: I still can’t understand why it’s so important to you.

Tony: Because it was the first movie I ever saw with my grandma and because I really loved spending time with her. It is my favorite song of all times!

Nancy: The first time Tom and I went on a date, we went to see “Titanic”. I always think of the song “My Heart Will Go On” as our song! Whenever I hear it, I think of that night.

Tony: Oh, I can understand why you love that song! Isn’t it interesting all the memories we connect with songs?