Most musicians agree that the best violins were made in Cremona, Italy, about 200 years ago. 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. Why are these old Italian violins so special? Many people think they have an answer.
Some people think it is the age of the violins. But there is a problem here. Not all old violins sound wonderful. Only those from Cremona are special. So age cannot be the answer.
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 Cremona 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 is the secret of the Italians.
Size and shape may not be the answer either. Scientists make new violins 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（清漆）, which covers the wood of the violin and makes it look shiny. It also helps the sound of the instrument. Since no one knows what the Italian violin makers used in their varnish, no one can make the same varnish today.
There may never be other violins like the violins of Cremona. And there are not many of the old violins left. So these old violins are becoming more and more precious.
小题1:What would be the best title for the passage?
A．The Secrets of Cremona Violins
B．The History of Italian Violins
C．Special Musical Instruments
D．How to Make the Best Violins小题2:The main purpose of the first paragraph is to_______________
A．list some facts
B．raise a question
C．give an opinion
D．offer an answer小题3:What is still unclear about Cremona violins according to the writer?
A．The shape．
B．The size．
C．The wood．
D．The varnish．小题4:Which of the following words can best describe Cremona violins?
A．Light．
B．Shining．
C．Valuable．
D．Modern小题5:What can we learn from this passage?
A．Modem things are always better than ancient ones
B．Ancient things are always better than modem ones
C．Once a cultural relic is lost．it Can never be recovered
D．Varnish for violins will become more and more precious
