阅读理解。
Most musicians agree that the best violins were first made in Italy. They were made in Cremona, Italy,
about 200 years ago. These violins sound better than any others. They even sound better than violins made
today. Violin makers and scientists try to make instruments like the old Italian violins. But they aren't the
same. Musicians still prefer the old ones. No one really knows why these old Italian violins are so special,
but many people think they have an answer.
Some people think it is the age of the violins. They say that today's violins will also sound wonderful
someday. But there is a problem here. Not all old violins sound wonderful. Only those from Cremona are
special. So age cannot be the answer. There must be something different about Cremona or those Italian
violin makers.
Other people think the secret to those violins is the wood. The wood of the violin is very important. It
must be from certain kinds of trees. It must not be too young or too old. Perhaps the violin makers of
Cremons knew something special about wood for violins.
But the kind of wood may not be so important. It may be more important to cut the wood in a special
way. Wood for a violin must be cut very carefully. It has to be the right size and shape. The smallest
difference will change the sound of the violin. Musicians sometimes think that this was the secret of the
Italians. Maybe they understood more than we do about how to cut the wood.
Size and shape may not be the answer either. Scientists measured these old violins very carefully. They
can make new ones that are exactly the same size and shape. But the new violins still do not sound as good
as the old one. Some scientists think the secret may be the varnish, which covers the wood of the violin and
makes it look shiny. It also helps the sound of the instrument. No one knows what the Italian violin makers
used in their varnish. So no one can make the same varnish today.
There may never be other violins like the violins of Cremona. Their secret may be lost forever. Young
musicians today hope this is not true. They need fine violins. But there aren't very many of the old violins
left. Also, the old violins are very expensive. Recently, a famous old Italian violin was sold for about
US $ 300,000!
1. This passage is about _____. [ ]
A. making violins
B. musical instruments
C. scientific ideas
D. the old Italian violins
2. The best violins _____. [ ]
A. are made with modern techniques
B. were lost many years ago
C. were made in Italy 200 years ago
D. were made by scientists.
3. Some people think that modem violins _____. [ ]
A. will sound better in the future
B. will sound worse in the future
C. sound wonderful naturally
D. will never be as old as those from Cremona
4. Violins made today _____. [ ]
A. look the same as the old ones
B. sound the same as the old ones
C. are better than the old ones
D. have the same varnish as the old ones
