Background music may seem harmless, but it canhave a powerful effect on those who hear it.Recorded background music first found its way intofactories, shop and restaurants in the US. But itsoon spread to other arts of the world. Now it isbecoming increasingly difficult to go shopping or eata meal without listening to music.

　　To begin with, "muzak" (音樂廣播網(wǎng)) was intendedsimply to create a soothing (安慰) atmosphere.Recently, however, it's become big business—thanksin part to recent research. Dr. Ronald Milliman, anAmerican marketing expert, has shown that music can boost sales or increase factoryproduction by as much as a third.

　　But, it has to be light music. A fast one has no effect at all on sales. Slow music can increasereceipts by 38%. This is probably because shoppers slow down and have more opportunity tospot items they like to buy. Yet, slow music isn't always answer. Dr.Milliman found, for example,that in restaurants slow music meant customers took longer to eat their meals, which reducedoverall sales. So restaurants owners might be well advised to play up-tempo music to keepthe customers moving—unless of course, the resulting indigestion leads to complaints!

　　練習(xí)( )1. The reason why background music is so popular is that ______.

　　A. it can have a powerful effect on those who hear it

　　B. it can help to create a soothing atmosphere

　　C. it can boost sales or increase factory production everywhere

　　D. it can make customers eat their meals quickly

　　( )2. Background music means ________.

　　A. light music that customers enjoy most

　　B. fast music that makes people move fast

　　C. slow music that can make customers enjoy their meals

　　D. the music you are listening to while you are doing something

　　( )3. Restaurant owners complain about background music because ______.

　　A. it results in indigestion

　　B. it increases their sales

　　C. it keeps customers moving

　　D. it decreases their sales

　　( )4. The word "up-tempo music" probably means_____.

　　A.slow music

　　B.fast music

　　C.light music

　　D.classical music