人类聚在一起唱歌的历史已延续了数千年，而一些科学家发现这种行为背后大有深意。唱歌不仅能让我们在情感上与他人产生共鸣，还能提升身心健康。现在，甚至有 “music therapists（音乐治疗师）” 借助音乐来辅助治疗一些神经系统疾病。本文探讨唱歌对人类身心的积极影响。
词汇：music and health 音乐与健康
1 From singing at concerts to singing ‘Happy birthday’. Around the world, humans have been singing in unison for millennia. Some anthropologists even think our ancestors may have sung before they could speak. “Lullabies are sung to children, and then songs are sung at funerals”, says Alex Street, from the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, who thinks that our positive response to music is no accident. Music is not only enjoyable, but beneficial for our health.
2 There is growing evidence that singing can energise us, improve immune function and increase feelings of happiness, according to ‘A Review of the Physiological Effects and Mechanisms of Singing’, published in 2018. It’s thought that the repeated and controlled breathing that singing requires releases endorphins, which are chemicals released by the brain associated with pleasure and wellbeing. It may even provide a physical workout comparable to a brisk walk. And singing as part of a group or choir may have additional effects. Researchers in ‘The ice-breaker effect: singing mediates fast social bonding’ found that singing together accelerated faster social cohesion among strangers.
3 Some studies have also found that regular musical activity can help to delay the onset of various neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. And it’s not too late for those already living with such conditions. Cathy McGlynn is a music therapist based in Ireland who leads a choir of people with Parkinson’s. The disease can lead to respiratory and vocal problems, both of which are benefited by singing practice. For those suffering with dementia, singing can enhance the type of memory which helps us recall names and specific personal experiences, according to a literature review on singing and cognitive health called ‘A Song for the Mind’. Music therapist Grace Meadows watched as a woman with dementia got up out of her chair and started dancing at a musical performance. “It was the first time the carers had ever seen her move, unaided.”
4 Music may not be a medicine in the traditional sense, but one thing seems clear: humans are wired for connection, and music helps to create it. So, if you’re sceptical about the power of music, it may be time to change your tune.
测验与练习
一、根据文章内容选出正确的段落。
Which paragraph contains the benefits of singing for age-related disorders?
二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。
1. Humans have been singing together for thousands of years.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given
2. Anthropologists are sure that our ancestors sung before they could speak.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given
3. In paragraph 2, what does the pronoun ‘it‘ refers to in the sentence: It may even provide a physical workout…?
a. music
b. singing
c. dancing
4. Singing together accelerated faster social cohesion among strangers because they enjoy listening to each other’s voices.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given
5. What’s another way of saying ‘delay the onset’ in paragraph 3?
a. postpone the development
b. reduce the risk
c. ignore the signs
三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。
Humans have sung 1) _______ for thousands of years, from a gentle 2) _______ to a powerful performance in a 3) _______. Research suggests that singing may trigger the release of 4) _______, helping to boost mood and wellbeing. Some studies even indicate that regular musical activity could delay the 5) _______ of neurological conditions such as dementia.
lullaby
onset
social cohesion
brisk
endorphins
choir
in unison
（答案见词汇表后）
词汇表
in unison 齐声地，一致地
lullaby 摇篮曲
immune 免疫的
endorphin 内啡肽
brisk 轻快的
choir 合唱团，合唱队
social cohesion 社会凝聚力
onset 发作，开始
neurological 神经系统的
dementia 痴呆
respiratory 呼吸的，呼吸系统的
cognitive 认知的
change one’s tune 改变态度
答案
一、根据文章内容选出正确的段落。
Paragraph 3. Parkinson’s disease and dementia are both typically age-related disorders.
二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。
1. a. True. Around the world, humans have been singing in unison for millennia.
2. b. False. Some anthropologists even think our ancestors may have sung before they could speak.
3. b. ‘It’ refers back to the word ‘singing’ in the previous sentences.
4. c. Not given. The reason why social cohesion was accelerated is not mentioned in the text.
5. a. postpone the development
三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。
Humans have sung in unison for centuries, from a gentle lullaby to a powerful performance in a choir. Research suggests that singing may strengthen the immune system and trigger the release of endorphins, helping to boost mood and wellbeing. Some studies even indicate that regular musical activity could delay the onset of conditions such as dementia.