Music and Memory

What is the common theme people often express about their musical abilities?

• I can play any instrument.

• I have a natural talent for music.

• I don’t have a musical bone in my body.

• I can compose music easily.

According to the passage, what is the difference between a virtuoso performer and an ordinary person?

• Virtuosos are born with musical talent.

• The difference is much smaller than we think.

• Ordinary people cannot enjoy music.

• Virtuosos do not need to practice.

What special connection is often observed between music and memory?

• Music makes it harder to remember things.

• Music has no effect on memory.

• Music helps people remember things better.

• Music only helps musicians remember things.

According to lines 9 through 11, most non-musicians view their musical ability as

• limited

• comical

• admirable

• average

Lines 17 through 24 support a central idea by emphasizing the

• differences between virtuoso musical performers and ordinary people

• similarity of musical preferences between different cultures of people

• necessity of training for people to become musical experts

• way that people naturally learn about music through experience

Lines 25 through 29 demonstrate that the average person, with basic musical knowledge,

• will be amused by an alteration of a familiar scale

• will find discomfort in an incomplete familiar scale

• can adapt incomplete scales to make original music

• can recognize the scale patterns of other cultures

Acquiring a “kind of bi-musicality” (lines 34 and 35) is the result of

• studying the history of music composition

• experiencing multiple musical traditions

• developing an understanding of contemporary music

• participating in classical musical performances

Lines 43 through 46 convey the idea that music can affect a person by

• eliminating unpleasant memories

• evoking past emotions

• maintaining stable moods

• modifying negative attitudes

The phrase “gripped by a stubborn earworm” (line 63) most likely refers to music

• overplayed on the radio

• trending on social media

• connected to one’s past

• repeating in one’s head

The idea presented in lines 69 and 70 is best reflected by which phrase?

• “But when we think about musical expertise, we tend to imagine professionals” (lines 13 and 14)

• “there is a special connection between music and memory” (lines 38 and 39)

• “Music can also absorb elements of autobiographical memory” (line 43)

• “just by living and listening, we have all acquired deep musical knowledge” (lines 76 and 77)