【大学受験対策】英語長文問題69（芸術）330語＋和訳・解答解説

Music and visual art are often appreciated for their beauty, but their value goes far beyond aesthetics. Throughout history, the arts have served as powerful tools for expressing collective concerns and shaping public opinion. Painters have captured revolutions, musicians have protested injustice through song, and playwrights have challenged political authority. For instance, during the U.S. civil rights movement, protest songs like “We Shall Overcome” offered strength and solidarity. In Latin America, muralists have used public walls to celebrate cultural heritage and expose corruption. In such cases, art becomes not just a form of expression, but a form of resistance.

Beyond protest, art also plays a central role in shaping identity. In multicultural societies, music and art bridge generations and cultures, helping communities stay connected to their roots. Immigrants may preserve their heritage through traditional music and dance, while young people might turn to hip-hop, graffiti, or digital media to explore identity, belonging, and creativity. Artistic expression allows individuals to voice emotions or ideas they cannot easily express in words.

In addition, music and art contribute to emotional well-being and community healing. Music therapy has been shown to help reduce anxiety, support people with autism, and assist recovery from trauma. Community art initiatives—such as neighborhood murals or collaborative theater—can bring together diverse groups, build trust, and give people a sense of purpose. In this way, creative expression becomes a tool for empowerment and reconciliation.

Despite these benefits, arts education is often treated as secondary in schools. Subjects like mathematics and science are prioritized for their economic utility, while the arts are seen as optional or even unnecessary. However, this perspective ignores how deeply the arts foster empathy, critical thinking, and cultural understanding—all essential skills in today’s complex world.

In the end, music and art are not luxuries—they are necessities. They challenge injustice, nurture identity, support healing, and unite communities. As society continues to face global uncertainty, creative voices offer not only reflection but also hope and vision for a better future.

Q1. How do music and art benefit immigrant communities, according to the passage?

1. They provide legal advice for newcomers entering complex job markets.
2. They guarantee immediate language fluency through intensive cultural immersion programs.
3. They preserve heritage through traditional performances in unfamiliar social environments.
4. They enforce uniform dress codes within multiethnic neighborhoods worldwide.

Q2. What potential danger is linked to sidelining arts education in schools?

1. Students may excel excessively in advanced robotics and quantum computing.
2. Society could lose crucial avenues for empathy and critical understanding.
3. Teachers will gain higher salaries, leading to inflated education budgets.
4. Universities would expand creative programs to attract more international students.

Q3. Which of the following statements is NOT mentioned in the passage?

1. Government agencies use holographic concerts to replace formal diplomatic negotiations altogether.
2. Music therapy has proven effective in reducing anxiety within medical environments.
3. Creative expression offers hope and vision for more equitable global futures.
4. Protest songs have historically united movements against systemic social oppression.