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How often do you listen to music? A new study published by the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry suggests that people who listen to music or play an instrument can reduce their risk of developing dementia by over a third.

The new study by School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, looked at more than 10,800 Australia-based adults aged over 70. They aimed to discover whether being involved in music—either by listening to it, playing an instrument, or both—could help protect against dementia and memory problems, and support better brain health in older adults. The researchers tracked participants over several years to measure cognitive changes over time. Starting from the third year of the study, they compared dementia rates among people with different levels of musical involvement.

The results showed that people who “always” listened to music had a 39% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who rarely or never listened. The researchers also found that frequent music listening was linked to a 17% lower risk of developing Cognitive Impairment No Dementia (CIND), a condition where a person experiences noticeable problems with memory, thinking, or decision-making that go beyond normal aging but don’t yet meet the criteria for dementia.

If you make your own music, you’re also in luck. The study suggests that playing an instrument often was associated with a 35% decreased dementia risk. And participants who both listened to and played music had a 33% decreased dementia risk and a 22% decreased CIND risk. Interestingly, the positive effects were more noticeable in those with higher levels of education, particularly people who had studied for more than 16 years.

“Evidence suggests that brain aging is not just based on age and genetics, but can be influenced by one’s own environmental and lifestyle choices,” the researchers report. “This highlights the potential for lifestyle-based interventions to promote cognitive health. As a result, music engagement has emerged as a promising intervention for maintaining cognitive wellbeing.”

1.1. What is a key feature of the study’s methodology described in paragraph 2?

A It tracked subjects’ cognitive changes for multiple years.

B It relied on participants’ short-term memory tests only.

C It involved only professional musicians as participants.

D It began comparing dementia rates from the start.

解析：选A。A 推理判断题。根据第二段的“The researchers tracked participants over several years to measure cognitive changes over time.”可知，研究人员对参与者进行了长达数年的跟踪，以测量其认知随时间的推移而发生的变化，这正是其研究方法的核心特征。故选A。

2.2. According to the study, what effect did “always” listening to music have on dementia risk?

A Eliminated it completely.

B Reduced it significantly.

C Had no clear effect.

D Increased it slightly.

解析：选B。B推理判断题。第三段“The results showed that people who ‘always’ listened to music had a 39% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who rarely or never listened.”明确指出，“总是”听音乐的人患痴呆症的风险降低了39%，这是一种显著的降低。选项A（完全消除）和D（轻微增加）与原文相反；选项C（无明显影响）不符合研究结果。故选B。

3.3.Based on the study’s findings, which person might benefit the MOST from music engagement in terms of reducing dementia risk?

A A 65-year-old with no formal education.

B A 75-year-old who completed university.

C A 70-year-old who rarely listens to music.

D A 80-year-old with a family history of dementia.

解析：选B。B推理判断题。第四段“the positive effects were more noticeable in those with higher levels of education, particularly people who had studied for more than 16 years”指出，音乐参与的积极效果在受教育程度较高（特别是学习超过16年，通常相当于大学学历）的人群中更为明显。其他选项均未提及更高的教育水平这一关键强化因素。故选B。

4.4.What is the main conclusion of the research reported in the article?

A Genetics determines brain aging.

B Lifestyle choices are irrelevant to dementia.

C Only playing instruments prevents dementia.

D Music can help maintain cognitive health.

解析：选D。D主旨大意题。全文围绕音乐活动（听和演奏）与降低痴呆症及认知障碍风险之间的关联展开，最后一段总结指出音乐参与是维持认知健康的一种有前途的干预方式。故选D。