B
65-year-old Steve was found suffering from early Alzheimer's(阿尔茨海默病). He was losing his memory. Steve, a professional software engineer, was also a lover of the piano and the only musician in his family. Music was his true passion, though he had never performed outside the family.
Melissa, his daughter, felt it more worthwhile than anything else to save his music. So she thought about hiring a professional pianist to work with her father.
Naomi, Melissa's best friend and a talented pianist, knew about this and showed willingness to help.
Naomi drove to the Goodwin home. She told Steve she'd love to hear him play. Steve moved to the piano and sat at the bench to play for the first time in his life for a stranger.
"It was beautiful," Naomi said after listening. "The music was really worth saving."
Naomi and Steve met every other week and spent hours together. He'd move his fingers slowly on the piano, and then she'd take his place. He struggled to explain what he heard in his head. He stood by the piano, listening for the first time to his own work being played by someone else.
Working with Naomi did wonders for Steve. It had excited his belief that he could write one last song. One day, Naomi received an email. Attached was a recording, a recording of loss and love, of the fight. Steve called it "Melancholy Flower".
Naomi heard plenty of stops and starts, Steve struggling, searching while his wife Joni called him "honey" and encouraged him. The task was so hard, and Steve, angry and upset, said he would give up. Joni praised him, telling him this could be his signature piece(代表作).
Naomi managed to figure out 16 of Steve's favourite and most personal songs. With Naomi's help, the Goodwin family found a sound engineer to record Naomi playing Steve's songs. Joni thought that would be the end. But it wasn't.
In the months leading up to the 2016 Oregon Repertory Singers Christmas concert, Naomi asked for Steve's permission to add his music to the playing list. He considered it an honour.
After the concert, Naomi said that Steve's music was beautiful and professional. It needed to be shared in public.
The family rented a place in downtown Portland and scheduled a concert. By the day of the show, more than 300 people had said they would attend.
By then, Steve was having a hard time remembering the names of some of his friends. He knew he was now taking the path of his hard life. But he was brave enough to tell his family he was at peace.
Steve arrived and sat in the front row, surrounded by his family. The lights faded, and then Naomi took the stage. Her fingers. His heart.
() 4. Why did Melissa want to save her father's music?
A. His music could stop his disease from worsening.
B. His music was the most valuable to be left for the family.
C. She wanted to increase her father's sense of contribution.
D. She wanted to make her father a professional musician.
() 5. Before Steve finished his last music work, his wife Joni .
A. brought his music career to perfection
B. thought his music talent was fully lost
C. didn't find him suffering from a disease
D. didn't fully realize the value of his music
() 6. How did Steve feel at the concert held in downtown Portland?
A. He felt concerned about his illness.
B. He sensed a responsibility for music.
C. He got into a state of quiet and peace.
D. He gained his faith in music once more.
() 7. What can be the best title for the passage?
A. The kindness of friends
B. The power of music
C. The work of a musician
D. The value of Alzheimer