Listen to children on the playground ｏｒ in the grocery store, and chances are they’re singing a rap song. A quick chorus of Old MacDonald? They might recognize the tunes, but don’t know the words. “I listen to nothing but the top 40,” says Shawna Bramlett, age 7. “Old music is for old people.” 

The traditional songs of American childhood are disappearing and becoming victims of pervasive pop culture and funding cuts in arts education in elementary schools. Among the endangered ｏｒ lost are songs tied to periods of American history like I’ve Been Working on the Railroad and nursery rhymes such as Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Dr. Patricia Foy, a children’s music, specialist, says such songs help children connect with culture, history, their ancestors and the people around them. But in a survey, music teachers said songs that could be considered American children’s musical heritage aren’t often part of the public school curriculum.

Experts are concerned by the findings. Composer and folk song scholar Ruth Crawford Seeger long held that kids need the children’s songs of their nation to help them understand the workings of the world. “They hold unique value to American children, as well as American history and culture,” she wrote.

However, not everyone agrees with her. “Children will find the music they need,” said Dr. Arthur Jones, senior clinical professor of psychology at the University of Denver. “Even in this commercial environment, there’s a lot of music that speaks to kids’ experiences.” 

But Diane Kresh, director of Public Service Collections in the Library of Congress, said, “Teaching traditional songs in school allows children, at an early age, to discover and explore their nation and roots. It is not only true for American children but also works in any school of the world.” 

“As a country becomes more commercially centered, it loses some respect for its heritage,” says John Feierabend, an expert in early childhood education. “Many countries have spoken out about the importance of preserving the folk songs that belong to those heritages. I think the best hope is to find balance. We can’t stop the commercial hurricane, but we can try to preserve some of our cultural heritage.”

12. What does Shawna Bramlett think of traditional songs for children?

A. They are out of date.

B. They are hard to remember.

C. They should be constantly adapted.

D. They should be included in the top 40.

13. What is a reason for the traditional children’s songs’ decline in America?

A. Children’s lack of interest in history.

B. The great challenge from pop culture.

C. The rise of art lessons in schooling.

D. Children’s pressure from heavy study loads.

14. Who justified pop music for children according to the text?

A. Diane Kresh.

B. Dr. Patricia Foy.

C. Dr. Arthur Jones.

D. Ruth Crawford Seeger.

15. What is John Feierabend’s advice on protecting traditional songs for children?

A. Slowing down the pace of commercialization.

B. Starting cultural education from early childhood.

C. Increasing cultural exchanges with other countries.

D. Balancing economic development and cultural preservation.

01 词汇锦囊

① pervasive adj. 充斥各处的

② ancestor n. 祖宗；祖先

③ heritage n. 遗产

④ composer n. 创作者；作曲者

02 长难句分析

But in a survey, music teachers said songs that could be considered American children’s musical heritage aren’t often part of the public school curriculum.  (Para. 3)

这是一个主从复合句。“that”引导______________，修饰“______________”。

【语篇解读】

本文是一篇议论文。在美国，经典儿童歌曲的传唱度越来越低。专家建议找到经济发展和文化保护的平衡点，让更多的孩子通过经典儿童歌曲了解国家的历史和文化。

【答案解析】

12. A 推理判断题。根据第一段中的“I listen to nothing but the top 40”和“Old music is for old people”可知，Shawna Bramlett只听排行榜前40名的歌，她认为老歌是给老年人听的。由此可推知，Shawna Bramlett认为传统歌曲过时了。故选A。

13. B 细节理解题。根据第二段第一句“The traditional songs of American childhood are disappearing and becoming victims of pervasive pop culture and funding cuts in arts education in elementary schools.”可知，流行文化的冲击是导致美国经典儿歌传唱度降低的原因之一。故选B。

14. C 细节理解题。根据第五段中Dr. Arthur Jones所说的话可知，她认为即使在商业环境下，仍然有很多描述儿童经历的歌曲会受到儿童的青睐，也就是说，她认为儿童流行音乐是合理的。故选C。

15. D 细节理解题。根据最后一段倒数第一、二句“I think the best hope is to find balance. We can’t stop the commercial hurricane, but we can try to preserve some of our cultural heritage.”可知，John Feierabend认为人们无法阻止商业风暴的到来，但是可以尽力保护文化遗产,人们应该找到经济发展和文化保护之间的平衡点。故选D。

【长难句分析答案】

定语从句；songs

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