Tips & Analysis
/ More to Learn
/ 中文翻譯(& 答案)
-
首頁
-
new訂閱制數位訂閱制 Ivy Engrest 介紹 數位訂閱制 優惠方案 註冊享免費體驗 7 天，再送 $300
-
看文章登入註冊公開精選文章
✶三分鐘的祕密 Beyond Vinyl: Exploring the Persistence of the Three-Minute Pop Song
Beyond Vinyl: Exploring the Persistence of the Three-Minute Pop Song
#克漏字 #音樂歌曲 #娛樂·新奇
難度 收藏文章
你是否曾想過，為什麼流行歌曲往往都大約三分鐘長呢？
>> 從速度到感官：馬兒的兩種力量Designed to Run, Born to Feel
克漏字 | 無挖空完整文章(請點我)
Have you ever wondered why pop songs tend to be around three minutes long? This custom of the three-minute song actually dates back to the middle of the 20th century. In the 1950s, the small 45 RPM record was favored by radio stations over larger long-playing (LP) records. This __1__ was mainly because 45s featured only one song per side, as opposed to the five or six on LPs, making it much easier for the DJ to locate the specific track they wanted to play. Due to their small size, however, 45s couldn’t manage much more than three minutes of music per side. This restricted the length of songs and reinforced the brief airtime a song got on radio shows. Musicians who wanted to get their music __2__ on the radio had to adapt to this trend.
>> 行動電源：包包裡的不定時炸彈？Could Your Power Bank Catch Fire or Explode?
Over the years, music technology evolved from records to cassette tapes to CDs to MP3s to streaming, but this hasn’t caused the three-minute duration of pop songs to __3__. One reason for this was that radio stations wanted to fit as many commercials into a program as possible. This was easier to do with relatively short songs. Record companies also preferred shorter singles since their royalty payments were the same __4__ long songs were. Longer songs meant fewer songs played, reducing the size of royalty checks. Many music fans also favored shorter, more concise songs because people have short attention spans.
With today’s digital platforms largely replacing traditional radio stations, these limitations no longer __5__. Even so, the average duration of a pop song in 2023 was still only three minutes and 15 seconds.
1. (A) reflection (B) frequency (C) symptom (D) preference
2. (A) play (B) to playing (C) played (D) was played
3. (A) fall out of fashion (B) keep up with the times (C) go into effect (D) rise in popularity
4. (A) whichever (B) whenever (C) no matter how (D) no matter what
5. (A) obey (B) apply (C) differ (D) behave
↓ 完整文章版本（無挖空）Have you ever wondered why pop songs tend to be around three minutes long? This custom of the three-minute song actually dates back to the middle of the 20th century. In the 1950s, the small 45 RPM record was favored by radio stations over larger long-playing (LP) records. This preference was mainly because 45s featured only one song per side, as opposed to the five or six on LPs, making it much easier for the DJ to locate the specific track they wanted to play. Due to their small size, however, 45s couldn’t manage much more than three minutes of music per side. This restricted the length of songs and reinforced the brief airtime a song got on radio shows. Musicians who wanted to get their music played on the radio had to adapt to this trend.
Over the years, music technology evolved from records to cassette tapes to CDs to MP3s to streaming, but this hasn’t caused the three-minute duration of pop songs to fall out of fashion. One reason for this was that radio stations wanted to fit as many commercials into a program as possible. This was easier to do with relatively short songs. Record companies also preferred shorter singles since their royalty payments were the same no matter how long songs were. Longer songs meant fewer songs played, reducing the size of royalty checks. Many music fans also favored shorter, more concise songs because people have short attention spans.
With today’s digital platforms largely replacing traditional radio stations, these limitations no longer apply. Even so, the average duration of a pop song in 2023 was still only three minutes and 15 seconds.
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●●n. 贊同，支持；幫助，恩惠vt. 贊同；賜 / 給予、偏愛Lance did all he could to win Jill’s favor.
蘭斯盡全力要博得吉兒的好感。The manager was in favor of the proposal.
經理贊成這提案。The manager favored the proposal.
經理贊成這提案。Could you do me a favor and open the window?
可以幫我開窗戶嗎？I hate asking people for favors.
我不喜歡請別人幫忙。I favor Heather’s plan over the other.
我贊成海瑟的計畫，不贊成另一個計畫。The university didn’t favor me with a quick reply.
那間大學並沒有馬上給我回覆。David’s mother favors him over all her other children.
大衛的媽媽在她的所有小孩中最疼他。多益綠色英檢初級高中 Level 2●vt. 以……為特色；主打（特色、功能等）n. 特徵，特色=characteristic=traitWhat are the features of your new smartphone?
你的新手機有什麼特色？This book features the beauty of nature.
這本書以大自然的美為主題。This book highlights the beauty of nature.
這本書以大自然的美為主題。The singer’s new album features a song written by a famous Japanese songwriter.
這位歌手的新專輯主打一首知名日本作曲家所寫的歌。多益藍色英檢中級高中 Level 2●●vt. 加強；補強（建築物）；增援=strengthen=fortifyRoger's rude remarks merely reinforced my dislike of him.
羅傑粗魯的言論只是加深了我對他的反感。The storm is coming, so I think it's a good idea that we reinforce our house a little bit.
既然暴風雨要來了，我覺得補強一下房子是個不錯的主意。Two battalions of soldiers were sent to reinforce the fort.
兩個營的兵力被派去增援該要塞。多益金色英檢中高高中 Level 5●vi. 演變；進化/演化；發展為The artist's idea for the masterpiece evolved from a casual conversation with a neighbor.
這名藝術家對這傑作的構想是從他和鄰居一段隨興的對話演變來的。Through months of teamwork, our idea finally evolved into a feasible plan.
藉由數個月的團隊合作，我們的想法終於化為可行的計畫。Our understanding of technology continues to evolve as new innovations emerge.
隨著創新技術的出現，我們對科技的理解持續演變。多益金色英檢中級高中 Level 5●●●●n. 限制；缺點（可數）=shortcomingThe school authorities used to impose a limitation on the length of students’ hair.
校方曾對學生頭髮的長度加以設限。Basically, this is a good car, but it has its limitations.
基本上這輛車不賴，不過仍有缺點。Basically, this is a good car, but it has its shortcomings.
基本上這輛車不賴，不過仍有缺點。高中 Level 4●adj. 健康的；合適的adv. 充滿，非常n. 合適 / 身vt. & vi. 適合三態fit / fit [fɪt] / fit [fɪt]These pants no longer fit me. They're too tight.
這條褲子不再合我身。它太緊了。My feet are killing me because these shoes don’t fit.
我的腳痛死了，因為這雙鞋不合腳。To stay fit, you should exercise every day.
要保持健康，就應該每天運動。Mr. Li said the man was not fit to marry his daughter.
李先生說這個男人不適合和他女兒結婚。The pants were a perfect fit.
這件褲子很合身。Linda was fit to burst with excitement.
琳達興奮極了。My bedroom is very small, so I don't think this wardrobe will fit into it.
我的房間很小，所以我覺得我房間放不下這個衣櫥。多益棕色英檢初級高中 Level 2Extra Words
●airtime[ˈɛrˌtɑɪm]n. （廣播或電視給予某話題、廣告的）播放時間●●an attention span注意力集中時間Practical Phrases
●date back (all the way) to + 時間∕時期追溯至⋯⋯（時間）My mother's antique table dates back to the early 1800s.
我老媽的古董桌可追溯至十九世紀初。According to scientists, these fossils date back to 2000 BCE.
根據科學家的說法，這些化石可追溯至公元前兩千年。●adapt to...適應⋯⋯A few people have difficulty adapting to military life.
有些人很難適應軍中的生活。●fit A into B把 A 安排進 BMr. Brown has a tight schedule, but he will try to fit you in.
布朗先生的日程表安排得很緊，但是他會儘量安排時間和你見面的。1. This preference was mainly because 45s featured only one song per side, as opposed
to the five or six on LPs, making it much easier for the DJ...理由
空格前一句提到，1950 年代時，比起密紋唱片，廣播電臺更喜歡 45 轉黑膠唱片，這是一種「偏好」，故答案應選 (D)，置入後表這種「偏好」主要是因為 45 轉黑膠唱片每一面都只有一首歌，與擁有五或六首歌的密紋唱片不同。
2. Musicians who wanted to get their music played on the radio had to adapt to this trend.
理由
a. 本題測試 get 作使役動詞的用法，有以下三種：
1) get + 受詞 + to + 原形動詞（表主動狀態）
• The boss got John to contact the client.
老闆要約翰去聯繫客戶。
2) get + 受詞 + 過去分詞（受詞與補語為被動關係）
• The huge mistake got Ken fired.
這個大錯誤讓阿肯被開除了。
3) get + 受詞 + 現在分詞（強調持續進行或主動）
• Nina gets the computer working faster by upgrading the hardware.
妮娜透過升級硬體來讓電腦運作得更快。
b. 空格前的受詞為 their music（他們的音樂），音樂應是「被」播放的，故根據上述，可知答案應選 (C) played，置入後表想要讓自己的音樂在電臺上「被播放」。
3. Over the years, music technology evolved from records to cassette tapes to CDs to MP3s to streaming, but this hasn’t caused the three-minute duration of pop songs to fall out of fashion.
理由
本句前半提到，多年來，音樂科技從唱片演變至卡式錄音帶、CD、MP3 及串流，而後半段以有對比語氣的轉折詞 but（但是）連接，可知即便科技已經進步，流行歌曲長度為三分鐘的這個作法仍未「退流行」，故答案應選 (A)。
4. Record companies also preferred shorter singles since their royalty payments were the
same no matter how long songs were.理由
空格後有形容詞 long（長），根據上述用法，可知答案應選 (C) no matter how，以修飾 long，並引導副詞子句。置入後表唱片公司也偏好短一點的單曲，因為「不管」歌曲「多」長，版稅都一樣。
5. With today’s digital platforms largely replacing traditional radio stations, these limitations no longer apply.
理由
前兩段說明，歌曲之所以多為三分鐘，是因為技術限制以及廣播電臺、唱片公司和粉絲的偏好所致，而本句前半提到現今數位平臺大大取代了傳統廣播電臺，表示前述的這些限制已經不再「適用」，故(B) 項應為正選。
as opposed to N/V-ing 而不是⋯⋯
opposed a. 相反的；反對的
• The international company chose to invest in the environmental project, as opposed to constructing a new office building.
這家國際公司選擇投資環保專案，而不是建築新辦公大樓。
以下介紹 opposed 的其他搭配用法及衍生字：
a. be opposed to N/V-ing 反對⋯⋯
• My wife was totally opposed to the idea of moving abroad.
我老婆徹底反對搬到國外的想法。
b. oppose vt. 反對，反抗
oppose N/V-ing 反對⋯⋯
• I opposed postponing the meeting till next week.
我反對把會議延到下星期。
c. opposite n. & a. 相反（的）
• Ian is calm, but his wife is just the opposite.
伊恩很冷靜，但是他太太跟他完全相反。
• We have opposite views on this matter.
我們在這件事情上持相反的觀點。
d. opposition n. 反對；對抗
• The chairman was forced to step down amid a wave of opposition.
那位主席在一片反對聲浪中被迫下臺。
三分鐘的祕密
你是否曾想過，為什麼流行歌曲往往都大約三分鐘長呢？這個三分鐘歌曲的慣例實際上可追溯至二十世紀中期。1950 年代時，比起較大張的密紋唱片，廣播電臺更喜歡小巧的 45 轉黑膠唱片。這種偏好主要是因為 45 轉黑膠唱片每一面都只有一首歌，與擁有五或六首歌的密紋唱片不同，這讓 DJ 在找想要播放的特定樂曲時，變得更輕鬆得多。不過由於它們容量很小，45 轉黑膠唱片每一面無法置入長於三分鐘的音樂。這限制了歌曲的長度，也更強化了廣播節目中，一首歌能獲得的短暫播放時間。想要讓自己的音樂在電臺上播放的音樂家們就必須適應這個趨勢。
多年來，音樂科技從唱片演變至卡式錄音帶、CD、MP3 及串流，但這並沒有讓流行歌曲三分鐘的長度退流行。一個原因是廣播電臺想在一個節目中，盡可能地放越多廣告。相對較短的歌曲越能實現這一點。唱片公司也偏好短一點的單曲，因為不管歌曲多長，版稅都一樣。歌曲更長，就意味著越少歌能播，這就減少了版稅的金額。許多音樂粉絲也都偏好更短、更簡明的歌曲，因為人們的注意力時間很短。
隨著現今數位平臺大大取代了傳統廣播電臺，這些限制已經不再適用。即便如此，2023 年流行歌曲的平均長度仍
然只有三分十五秒。答案： 1 D 2 C 3 A 4 C 5 B
本篇內容出自《常春藤解析/生活英語雜誌》，
2026/04/16 00:00 前買享優惠Ivy Engrest 訂戶在訂閱期間訂閱紙本(無贈品版本)再享最低 62折優惠!）>>
【雜誌訂閱】自信有春
回饋與建議
為了提供更好的閱讀體驗與學習感受，有任何建議或問題歡迎留言讓我們知道，感謝～
英文問題僅回答您對本篇文章的疑慮（發現單字拼錯、文法有問題）等，其他延伸問題恕不提供回答服務。謝謝。學會了嗎？✋來答題得 熊贈點～
恭喜答對獲得 熊贈點 1點
答
題
賺
點
數作者
Angus Bain
There are secret opportunities hidden inside every failure.
每週專屬文章及最新優惠訊息推播！立即享每週精選文章及最新優惠推播!
