1. What kinds of music are suitable for children? Why?
idea：歡快活潑(upbeat/cheerful/lively)，朗朗上口的(catchy)旋律
reason：這樣的旋律學起來很容易，也讓孩子們開心(cheer them up)，他們可以快樂地跟著音樂唱跳(sing/dance to the music)
example：Gangnam Style是韓國流行音樂(K-Pop)，歌詞也聽不懂，可是孩子也喜歡，就因為其旋律很好被孩子接受(well-received among children)
idea：歌曲主題(themes/subjects)貼近孩子生活，歌詞(lyrics)簡單
reason：歌詞很生動(vivid)，有畫面感(have pictures/images in mind)，更容易吸引孩子們的注意力(draw their attention)，并引起他們共鳴(relate to)
example：兩只老虎，小燕子，小兔子乖乖等經(jīng)典(classic)童謠都是以孩子們喜歡的動物為主題
sample answer:
Well, I’m no expert on this, but I suppose one of the most important thing is the melody should be upbeat and catchy. Kids are always happy, so naturally they’d love music that cheers them up. On top of that, most children can’t handle complicated melody, what they need is something simple and memorable, so they can sing and dance to it easily and happily. Another thing I guess is the lyrics should be about subjects children can relate to. For example, the little ones normally adore songs about animals.
推薦詞匯
I’m no expert on this. 我并非這方面的專家
2. Do you think people’s tastes in music will change as they get older?
idea：同意，會改變
reason：人的一生有機會接觸到(get exposed to)不同的音樂類型(music genres)，然后就會喜歡上(fall in love with)一種新的音樂;又或者是跟個性特點(characteristics/personal traits)有關，年輕人精力充沛(energetic/enthusiastic)，喜歡追求刺激(look for thrill/excitement)，因此更容易跟動感的(dynamic)流行音樂產(chǎn)生共鳴，而隨著年紀和經(jīng)歷(life experience)的增長，很多人的個性變得溫和沉穩(wěn)(calm)，這樣的心態(tài)更容易接受古典音樂(classical music)或者交響樂(symphony)這樣的類型
example：很多人年輕的時候癡迷于(be crazy about)搖滾樂(rock music)，覺得非常熱血沸騰(thrilling/energizing)，然而等年紀增長以后就失去興趣，覺得這種類型太嘈雜(noisy)，甚至聽了身體都會不舒服
idea：不改變
reason：因為熱愛，人們對于一種事物的熱情不會衰減(the passion never fades)
example：我的伯伯是個死忠的爵士粉(a diehard Jazz fan)
sample answer:
Well, I think my answer is yes and no. On the one hand, people have lots of chances to get exposed to different types of music at different stages of life, so it’s very likely that they will find something that fascinates them, and their tastes in music will change. On the other hand, people just love what they liked in their youth, and his/her passion for a certain genre just never fades. Take my uncle for example, he’s been a diehard Jazz fan all his life. He just can’t get enough of it.
3. Has Chinese music been influenced by western music?
肯定有影響(definitely/absolutely)-全球化(globalization)不斷推進，加之網(wǎng)絡的推波助瀾(with the help of the internet)，我國人民可以與世界人民同步(keep up with the global trend)，有機會聽到來自西方的音樂，影響是難以避免(inevitable)的，尤其是流行音樂-西方國家有很多才華橫溢的(talented/gifted)音樂人，他們激勵了(inspire)我國的音樂人，同時西方音樂在音樂類型，創(chuàng)意(creativity/innovation)，技術(techniques)等各方面都有很多值得我們學習的地方-當前國內的流行音樂深受西方影響(have a big impact on)，有很多西方音樂的元素(element)，比如像是饒舌(rap)。
sample answer:
Yeah, definitely! It’s almost impossible to not get influenced, thanks to globalization, and I think it’s fair to say that pop music in particular has learned the most from western music. There are so many truly talented musicians in western countries, and they have inspired Chinese musicians tremendously. Nowadays you can see lots of western elements added into our pop songs. For example, rap is all the age these days in my country, and the younger generation just love it. They think it’s cool and fun.
推薦詞匯
all the rage，大行其道，很受歡迎
4. Shopping malls and shops often play background music. Can you suggest why they do that?
這是重要的營銷手段(marketing tool)，而且非常有效(effective)-音樂是很有力量的(powerful and magical)，可以影響人們的心情(have an effect on/affect people’ mood)-像是快節(jié)奏歌曲(fast-tempo songs)能讓人振作起精神(lift someone’s spirit)，甚至聽到以后會開心起來(put someone in a good mood)-音樂營造了(create)很好的一個氛圍(an inviting atmosphere)，顧客在店里會感到放松(chilled out)快樂-這樣的心態(tài)下， 人們就更愿意(be willing to do)呆在店里，多試(try out)幾套衣服(outfits)然后買走(pay for)
sample answer:
The way I see it, it’s just one of the marketing tools that business people use to boost sales, and I must say it’s pretty effective. We all know that music is powerful and magical. For instance, fast-tempo music has the ability to lift our spirits and put us in a very good mood. I mean, the music creates an inviting atmosphere in the malls or shops, which makes customers feel chilled out and happy. Then people are willing to stay for a little bit longer, try out different outfits and then pay for them eventually.
