Question

Bono, the lead singer of U2, a popular Irish rock band, once said that “music can change the world because it can change people.” This is what a group of music therapists(治療專家) here are trying to do with autistic(自閉癥的) children in Nepal. “Music therapy can be helpful to children with autism(自閉癥). The greatest challenge is to build trust in the relationship between the therapist and the child,” Kendra Gandharba, a music therapist told Xinhua Wednesday as Nepal joined the world in celebrating Autism Awareness Day.

When Rahul was three years old, he was still unable to speak and to interact(互動) with people. It was only then that his mother realized that there was something wrong with her son. After talking with doctors she came to know that Rahul, now six years old, is an autistic child.

Experts(專家) believe that the autism spectrum disorder(自閉癥譜系障礙) presents itself in the first three years. The condition is the result of a neurological(神經(jīng)病學(xué)的) disorder that has an influence on usual brain function(功能). It influences social interaction and communication skills. Several studies suggest that children with autism show their feelings and take part in activities with others during music therapy lessons. Now there are 15 autistic children getting better from the power of music through the lesson every week in Nepal. “With music therapy we work on five developmental areas: communication, awareness, motor movement, social skills and feelings,” Gandharba, one of Nepal’s music therapists, explained.

In the music therapy room, Xinhua met Shyam as he sat in front of the keyboard. Smiling at the therapist, the 10-year-old boy started playing the keyboard. Playing and sharing instruments, taking part in music games and singing are just a few ways through which the therapist tries to interact with autistic children. Autistic children are free to pick the musical instrument of their choice.

Music therapy, however, is still at an embryonic stage in Nepal where autism remains a taboo(禁忌) in the country's rural areas(郊區(qū)). “In villages I have seen people with mental or physical disabilities being treated like animals,” Gandharba said, adding that efforts should be made to introduce music therapy in Nepal’s rural areas.

The organization, Autism Care Nepal(ACN), hosted different events on World Autism Awareness Day to educate, create awareness among parents about the rights of children with autism.

1.What’s the greatest challenge for therapists to help autistic children by using music therapy?

A.To force them to talk with others. B.To play and share toys with autistic children.

C.To attract them to play music games. D.To make them willing to believe in therapists.

2.The underlined word “embryonic” in the fifth paragraph probably means “____”.

A.early B.easy C.active D.amazing

3.Which of the following statements is NOT true?

A.The autistic children learn how to interact with each other during music therapy lessons.

B.The autistic children learn how to show their own feelings during music therapy lessons.

C.The music therapy can enable every autistic child to play musical instruments well.

D.The music therapy can improve the communication skills of children with autism.

4.Which of the following is the main idea of this article?

A.Music can change the world because it can change people.

B.Music therapy may be useful to children with autism in Nepal.

C.Efforts should be made to introduce music therapy in rural areas.

D.Music therapists helped autistic children in Nepal with music therapy.

Answer 1