Unit 5 Music Reading and Thinking 学习任务单-2023-2024学年高中英语人教版（2019）必修第二册

THE VIRTUAL CHOIR Reading Comprehension Questions: 1.What is a virtual choir? 2.What are the requirements for joining a virtual choir? 3.How does a virtual choir benefit individuals who participate? 4.Who is the creator of the virtual choir? 5.What was the inspiration behind the first virtual choir? 6.How many singers from how many countries participated in Whitacre's first virtual choir? 7.What was the name of the song performed in Whitacre's first virtual choir? 8.What is the purpose of the Virtual Youth Choir for UNICEF? Answers: 1.A virtual choir is a group of people who record themselves singing individually and then these videos are compiled into one video that can be viewed online. 2.All one needs is a video camera and an Internet connection. 3.It connects people with similar interests in music, especially those who don't have close friends or contacts with the same interest, or who cannot join a local choir. 4.Eric Whitacre, an award-winning composer and conductor. 5.Eric Whitacre was inspired by a video of a girl singing one of his works. 6.185 singers from 12 different countries. 7."Lux Aurumque". 8.To bring together young people from around the world to sing and make the world a better place. Close Test: 1.Imagine having the opportunity to sing together with hundreds of other people while you are at home __ alone. You can do this in a __ choir. 2.These videos are __ onto the Internet, and then they are put together into one video that you can see __. 3.A virtual choir helps connect ordinary people __. Many people do not have close friends or contacts who have the same interest in music. 4.Over the next 10 years, Whitacre's original compositions began to become quite __ among choirs and singers. 5.His first virtual choir, "Lux Aurumque", had 185 singers from 12 different __. 6.Since then, the virtual choir has become a __ phenomenon. Answers 1.virtual 2.uploaded; online 3.together 4.popular 5.countries 6.worldwide Reading Comprehension: 1.Discuss the impact of technology on the formation and popularity of virtual choirs. 2.How might the virtual choir concept be adapted to other forms of art or performance? 3.Evaluate the statement: "A virtual choir can be a powerful tool for social connection and mental health." Answers: 1.Technology, specifically the internet and video recording capabilities, has allowed for the creation of virtual choirs, enabling people from all over the world to participate without being physically present in the same location. This has increased accessibility and participation, leading to a broader audience and greater popularity. 2.The virtual choir concept could be adapted to other forms of art or performance by allowing individuals to contribute their parts remotely, such as in a virtual orchestra, dance ensemble, or theatre production. This would involve recording individual performances and then editing them together to create a cohesive piece that can be viewed online. 3.A virtual choir can indeed be a powerful tool for social connection as it brings together individuals who share a common interest in music, providing a sense of community and belonging. Regarding mental health, participating in a virtual choir can offer an outlet for self-expression and a means to escape from daily stressors, as indicated by the virtual choir member's quote about music helping them forget their problems. Text Structure Analysis Questions: 1.What is the main idea of the passage? 2.How is the passage organized? Answers: 1.The main idea of the passage is to introduce and explain the concept of a virtual choir, its benefits, and its global impact, with a focus on the origin and development led by Eric Whitacre. 2.The passage is organized chronologically, starting with the concept of a virtual choir, its requirements, benefits, and then moving on to the history of its creation by Eric Whitacre, followed by the growth and impact of virtual choirs worldwide. True or False Questions: 1. Virtual choir members must record their performances in a professional studio. 2.Eric Whitacre is a conductor and composer who was born in the USA on 2 January 1970. 3.Whitacre's first virtual choir had over 200 singers from more than 15 countries. 4.The Virtual Youth Choir for UNICEF was first seen on stage in the UK on 23 July 2014. 5.Virtual choirs have only been popular in a few countries. Answers: 1.False. They can record themselves while they perform alone at home. 2.True. 3.False. It had 185 singers from 12 different countries. 4.True. 5.False. Virtual choirs have become a worldwide phenomenon. Multiple Choice Questions: 1.What does one need to join a virtual choir? A. A professional singing voice B. A video camera and an Internet connection C. A membership fee D. A university degree in music 2.What was the effect of music on Eric Whitacre when he sang for the university choir? A. He became bored with music. B. He wanted to become a doctor. C. He fell in love with Mozart's classical music. D. He decided to pursue a career in business. 3.How many young people from 80 countries joined the Virtual Youth Choir for UNICEF? A. 185 B. 529 C. 1,000 D. 2,292 Answers: 1.B 2.C 3.D Short Answer Questions: 1.Explain the significance of the quote "Music helps me to... forget my problems. With music, I become someone else." 2.What is the educational background of Eric Whitacre mentioned in the text? Answers: 1.This quote highlights the transformative and therapeutic power of music. It suggests that music provides an escape from the troubles of daily life and allows individuals to immerse themselves in a different identity or experience. 2.Eric Whitacre studied music at the University of Nevada from 1988 and later received a master's degree in musical composition from the Juilliard School in New York in 1997. Matching Questions: Match the following terms with their correct definitions: 1.Virtual Choir A. A group of people who sing together in person. B. A choir that performs in a virtual space. C. A type of choir that uses technology to combine individual performances into one collective performance. 2.Eric Whitacre A. A famous painter. B. A composer and conductor who created the virtual choir concept. C. A renowned chef. 3.Lux Aurumque A. A famous painting. B. The first virtual choir created by Whitacre. C. A type of cuisine. 4.UNICEF A. An organization focused on children's rights and emergency relief. B. A global choir competition. C. A music school in New York. Answers: 1.B 2.B 3.B 4.A Analytical Questions: 1.Analyze the role of technology in the creation and success of virtual choirs. 2.Discuss the potential challenges and solutions for maintaining the quality and synchronization in a virtual choir. Answers: 1.Technology plays a crucial role in the creation and success of virtual choirs by enabling individuals from different locations to contribute their performances remotely. The internet serves as a platform for uploading and viewing these performances, while video editing software allows for the compilation of individual videos into a cohesive whole. This technology bridges geographical distances, making it possible for a global community to come together through music. 2.Challenges include ensuring that all participants are singing in tune and in time with each other, as well as maintaining a consistent sound quality across all recordings. Solutions might involve providing a high-quality recording guide for participants, using software to help synchronize the audio tracks, and employing sound engineers to standardize the audio quality of the individual submissions before they are compiled into the final performance. 学科网（北京）股份有限公司 $$