Ragtime 介绍了一种流行于美国十九世纪左右名为ragtime 的音乐，能够表现年青人的活力(spirit of youth)之类的，此乐流行是由于 piano 的关系，因为两者真是太搭配了。在那个年代，在各种场合都用钢琴。此乐当时流行程度， (like Rock & Roll在某一时期一样) 。这里出现考点，女学生说了一堆后，来了一句I just don't get it， 意思是要教授 explain。下面北京育路留学小编详细的给大家介绍一下，托福考试听力加试题：Ragtime Music，希望可以帮到大家。
对话中还谈到 piano之所以当时那么受欢迎，一是因为它能与音律产生和谐，另一是因为当时它算一种财富地位的象征什么的 symbol of wealth and status。再加上，那个年代大家都没钱，就去 public concert or restaurant听音乐，而 piano 声音够响亮，又和 ragtime music
rhythm 搭配的天衣无缝，所以两者相得益彰。年轻人很喜欢这个音乐，因为很有激情。除了到处演出，park 演出等不用钢琴，因为难搬(出现考点because of transportation problem)。 同时，此乐也是 jazz 的前身，因为演奏者不按牌理出牌，一首曲七个人弹，弹出七种调。这种regtime 音乐影响很远，例如现在的 jazz 就是从那发展来的。
原文：Ragtime Music
Now listen to part of a lecture in a music history class.
P: Often times we talk about the popularity of music, but we don't always think about the role that the instruments play in their popularity. To give you an idea of what I mean, just take Ragtime music for instance. Without the piano, Ragtime music certainly wouldn't have evolved in the late 1800's the way that it did. I mean...characteristics like the keys, and the chords, made the piano suitable for playing the separate parts of the music: the melodies, rhythms, harmonies, at the same time. So, with one hand you could play the melody, while playing the harmony with the other. All the while maintaining the rhythm, all characteristic of Ragtime music. In other words, the piano allowed musicians to create the lively sound of Ragtime music unlike any other instruments of their time.
And for about 20 years, Ragtime music was America's most popular music, particularly the piano rag, although some people didn't exactly embrace ragtime, young people in general especially liked it.
S: Kind of like Rock and Roll in the '50s?
P: Without a doubt. I mean of course Ragtime in 1900 didn't sound at all like Rock and Roll did in 1950, but I'd say that's a fair comparison.