Have you ever wondered why pop songs tend to be around three minutes long? This custom of the three-minute song actuallydates back tothe middle of the 20th century. In the 1950s, the small 45 RPM record was favoredby 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 restrictedthe length of songs and reinforcedthe brief airtimea song got on radio shows. Musicians who wanted to get their music __2__ on the radio had to adapt tothis trend.
Over the years, music technology evolvedfrom records to cassette tapes to CDs to MP3s to streaming, but this hasn’t caused the three-minute durationof pop songs to __3__. One reason for this was that radio stations wanted to fitas many commercialsinto a program as possible. This was easier to do with relatively short songs. Record companies also preferred shorter singles since their royaltypayments 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 concisesongs because people have short attention spans.
With today’s digital platforms largely replacing traditional radio stations, these limitationsno 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
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Have you ever wondered why pop songs tend to be around three minutes long? This custom of the three-minute song actuallydates back tothe middle of the 20th century. In the 1950s, the small 45 RPM record was favoredby 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 restrictedthe length of songs and reinforcedthe brief airtimea song got on radio shows. Musicians who wanted to get their music played on the radio had to adapt tothis trend.
Over the years, music technology evolvedfrom records to cassette tapes to CDs to MP3s to streaming, but this hasn’t caused the three-minute durationof pop songs to fall out of fashion. One reason for this was that radio stations wanted to fitas many commercialsinto a program as possible. This was easier to do with relatively short songs. Record companies also preferred shorter singles since their royaltypayments 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 concisesongs because people have short attention spans.
With today’s digital platforms largely replacing traditional radio stations, these limitationsno 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
●
persistence
[pɚˋsɪstəns]
n. . 堅持；（不喜歡的事）持續（皆不可數）
The manager’s persistence in carrying out the
project finally paid off.
經理對於執行該企畫的堅持總算開花結果了。
The persistence of the baby girl’s high fever made
her parents deeply concerned.
小女嬰持續發高燒，令她的父母親很擔憂。
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
favor
[ˋfevɚ]
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
●
feature
[fitʃɚ]
vt. 以……為特色；主打（特色、功能等）
n. 特徵，特色
=
characteristic
=
trait
What 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
●
restrict
[rɪˋstrɪkt]
vt. 限制，制止
=
limit
Hoping that she could eventually quit smoking, Mary started restricting her smoking to half a pack a day.
瑪莉希望終究能把菸戒掉，便開始限制自己一天抽半包菸。
Because of martial law, many activities are restricted.
因為戒嚴，很多活動都遭到限制。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 3
●
reinforce
[͵riɪnˋfɔrs]
vt. 加強；補強（建築物）；增援
=
strengthen
=
fortify
Roger’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
●
evolve
[ɪˋvɑlv]
vi. 進化 ; 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。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 5
●
duration
[djʊˋreʃən]
n. 期間
=
meantime
The farm was used as a concentration camp for the duration of the war.
戰爭期間這座農場被用來當作集中營。
高中 Level 6
●
commercial
[kəˋmɝʃəl]
n. （廣播 / 電視的）廣告
adj. 商業的
Some of the commercial laws have been amended. 商業法有部分已有所修訂。
The company’s new product was a commercial success.
該公司的新產品取得了商業上的成功。
I don’t watch much TV because the commercials drive me crazy.
我很少看電視因為廣告會令我抓狂。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 2
●
concise
[kənˋsaɪs]
a. 簡明的，精簡的
=
brief
A summary should be as clear and concise as possible.
一篇綱要要盡量簡要清楚。
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
limitation
[͵lɪməˋteʃən]
n. 限制；缺點（可數）
=
shortcoming
The 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
●
fit
[fɪt]
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 2
Extra Words
●
airtime
[ˈɛrˌtɑɪm]
n. （廣播或電視給予某話題、廣告的）播放時間
●
royalty
[ˋrɔɪəltɪ]
n. . 皇室（集合名詞，不可數）；版稅（常用複數）
Annie discovered that her grandmother was a memberof the royalty.
安妮發現她外婆是皇室成員。
The author received 5% royalties on each copy sold.
這名作家每賣出一本書，就可抽 5% 的版稅。
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
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 B
Mr. 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。
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.
