閱讀測驗（第 26 題至第 30 題）
Throughout World War I, music was a prominent feature on the home fronts and the battlefields. In the US, most
homes had a piano, and at least one member of each family knew how to play it, providing a common form of
entertainment and socialization. Therefore, popular music saturated the society and reached into all of its corners,
forming a great medium for conveying messages.
Recognizing this capability, the American government often used music as an effective means to inspire zeal,
pride, patriotism, and action in its citizens. This was done to gain manpower, homeland support, and funds.
Composers and publishers readily cooperated and adopted these new musical motifs to earn money from a large
population rallied by war. The public was eager to respond to these sentiments by purchasing pro-war music. Besides
these reasons, composers and publishers often wrote music to promote their personal wartime sentiments. Dramatic
graphics and additional messages printed on sheet music provided extra inspiration to the messages expressed by the
lyrics and melodies, markedly increasing their capabilities as propaganda vehicles.
Music during World War I was often employed to make people feel excited and willing to help, and sometimes it
made people feel bad if they didn't support the war. Much of the music released during World War I greatly
influenced social and political attitudes, thereby serving as an effective tool for private citizens and governments. For
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example, politicians use musical fanfare at public rallies to build momentum and generate emotional responses in
support of their causes. This is evident in political campaign songs and protest songs, particularly during the 1960s
and 1970s when a majority of Americans grew weary of the Vietnam War. In this way, music provides a weapon of
social change to achieve specific goals.
What is the main idea of this article?
A
Politicians never use music as a tool to advocate certain public policies.
B
Music plays an important role in stirring people’s emotions during wartime.
C
During World War I, the change of music style caused great social revolution.
D
Messages about political or social attitudes inspire many composers.
