背诵备选文章.docVIP

Passage 11 Discovery Diane Ackerman 　　　The word “discovery” literally means uncovering something that’s hidden from view. But what really happens is a change in the viewer. The familiar offers comfort few can resist, and fewer still want to disturb. But as relatively recent inventions such as the telescope and microscope have taught us, the unknown has many layers. Every truth has geological strata, and you can’t have an orthodoxy without a heresy.　　The moment a newborn opens its eyes, discovery begins. I learned this with a laugh one morning after delivering a calf. When it lifted up its fluffy head and looked at me, its eyes held the absolute bewilderment of the newly born. A moment before it had the even black nowhere of the womb, and suddenly its world was full of color, movement and noise. I’ve never seen any thing so shocked to be alive. Passage 12 Music Music, we may say, is the art of organizing sounds. Music is a rhythmic poem that inspires, a harmonious tone that tranquillizes, a melody of mystery and beauty. There are many kinds of music. Since people have different ideas of what is beautiful, so we have our choices from the magnificent compositions of music masters like Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, Wagner, to the popular songs and tunes of the common music hall. Only people of educated musical taste can appreciate the former, and they find no pleasure in the latter. While the common people are bored with what is called classical music, and find pleasure only what musicians would call vulgar tunes. However, good music often has a wonderful effect upon the feelings of even ignorant people. One poet has said, “Music has charms to soothe the savage beast.” Soft and sweat music soothes the wearied, the sad, the restless, and grand music will fill strong men with great ambitions. The regimental band puts courage into the hearts of troops; the solemn hymns fill the worshippers with reverence. I