Research shows that under some conditions, music actually improves our performance, while in other situations music makes it worse—sometimes dangerously so.Absorbing and remembering new information is best done with the music off, suggests a 2010 study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology. Adults aged 18 to 30 were asked to recall a series of sounds presented in a particular order. Participants’ performance suffered when music was played while they carried out the task as compared to when they completed the task in a quiet environment. Nick Perham, the British researcher who conducted the study, notes that playing music you like can lift your mood and increase your arousal—if you listen to it before getting down to work. But it serves as a distraction from cognitively demanding tasks.That finding is key to understanding another condition under which music can improve performance: when a well-practiced expert needs to achieve the relaxed focus necessary to execute a job he’s done many times before. A number of studies have found, for example, that surgeons often listen to music in the operating room and that they work more effectively when they do.The doctors listening to their preferred music were also the most relaxed, as revealed by measurements of their nervous system activity. Still, surgeons might want to ask others in the operating room for their opinions on playing music: one survey of anesthetists (麻醉师) found that about a quarter felt that music “reduced their vigilance (警觉) and impaired (减少) their communication with other staffs,” and about half felt that music was distracting when they were dealing with a problem with the anesthesia.Research suggests that singing along might even heighten the distraction. A study presented earlier this month at the International Conference on Traffic and Transport Psychology, reported that singing along with music in a car may slow drivers’ responses to potential hazards. Singing these songs while operating a simulated car increased drivers’ mental workload, leading them to scan their visual field less often and to focus instead on the road right in front of them.Other iPod rules drawn from the research: Classical or instrumental music enhances mental performance more than music with lyrics. Music can make rote or routine tasks (think folding laundry or filing papers) less boring and more enjoyable. Runners who listen to music go faster. But when you need to give learning and remembering your full attention, silence is golden.1. What is the main idea of the passage?A) Music may function differently according to what we are doing. B) Music can improve our performance both in study and work.C) Music reduces work efficiency and should be turned off at work.D) Music needs to be played to increase work efficiency.2. Why do surgeons often play music in the operating room?A) Because they are used to listening to music while doing operations.B) Because they can work more effectively while listening to music. C) Because they find it useful to play music to calm down the patients.D) Because they need music to help them perform especially long surgeries.3. What is the anesthetists’ attitude towards music in the operating room?A) About 25% feel relaxed by listening to music.B) About 25% think music reduces their communication with patients.C) About 50% prefer music on before they start working.D) About 50% think music makes them less concentrated. 4. What is the effect of singing on driving performance according to research?A) It will further distract drivers’ attention. B) It will make drivers more alert and engaged.C) It will make drivers scan their visual field more often.D) It will further relieve drivers’ mental stress.5. Which of the following is NOT a right time to play music?A) When athletes are running.B) When students are doing homework. C) When kids are learning to fold laundry.D) When clerks are filing papers.

Research shows that under some conditions, music actually improves our performance, while in other situations music makes it worse—sometimes dangerously so. Absorbing and remembering new information is best done with the music off, suggests a 2010 study published in Applied Cognitive Psychology. Adults aged 18 to 30 were asked to recall a series of sounds presented in a particular order. Participants’ performance suffered when music was played while they carried out the task as compared to when they completed the task in a quiet environment. Nick Perham, the British researcher who conducted the study, notes that playing music you like can lift your mood and increase your arousal—if you listen to it before getting down to work. But it serves as a distraction from cognitively demanding tasks. That finding is key to understanding another condition under which music can improve performance: when a well-practiced expert needs to achieve the relaxed focus necessary to execute a job he’s done many times before. A number of studies have found, for example, that surgeons often listen to music in the operating room and that they work more effectively when they do. The doctors listening to their preferred music were also the most relaxed, as revealed by measurements of their nervous system activity. Still, surgeons might want to ask others in the operating room for their opinions on playing music: one survey of anesthetists (麻醉师) found that about a quarter felt that music “reduced their vigilance (警觉) and impaired (减少) their communication with other staffs,” and about half felt that music was distracting when they were dealing with a problem with the anesthesia. Research suggests that singing along might even heighten the distraction. A study presented earlier this month at the International Conference on Traffic and Transport Psychology, reported that singing along with music in a car may slow drivers’ responses to potential hazards. Singing these songs while operating a simulated car increased drivers’ mental workload, leading them to scan their visual field less often and to focus instead on the road right in front of them. Other iPod rules drawn from the research: Classical or instrumental music enhances mental performance more than music with lyrics. Music can make rote or routine tasks (think folding laundry or filing papers) less boring and more enjoyable. Runners who listen to music go faster. But when you need to give learning and remembering your full attention, silence is golden.1. What is the main idea of the passage?A)  Music may function differently according to what we are doing. B)  Music can improve our performance both in study and work.C)  Music reduces work efficiency and should be turned off at work.D)  Music needs to be played to increase work efficiency.2. Why do surgeons often play music in the operating room?A)  Because they are used to listening to music while doing operations.B)  Because they can work more effectively while listening to music. C)  Because they find it useful to play music to calm down the patients.D)  Because they need music to help them perform especially long surgeries.3. What is the anesthetists’ attitude towards music in the operating room?A)  About 25% feel relaxed by listening to music.B)  About 25% think music reduces their communication with patients.C)  About 50% prefer music on before they start working.D)  About 50% think music makes them less concentrated. 4. What is the effect of singing on driving performance according to research?A)  It will further distract drivers’ attention. B)  It will make drivers more alert and engaged.C)  It will make drivers scan their visual field more often.D)  It will further relieve drivers’ mental stress.5. Which of the following is NOT a right time to play music?A)  When athletes are running.B)  When students are doing homework. C)  When kids are learning to fold laundry.D)  When clerks are filing papers.