IV. Reading
      Children’s faces light up when Maggie James walks into a room. With a guitar slung over oneshoulder, she lugs a basket full of colorful instruments and wears a smile brighter than herfloral-print dress. But, she is even happier to see their faces. It is why she got into the business in thefirst place.          Maggie is not a children’s entertainer. She does not perform in theaters, on television, or atspecial events. She is a music therapist and her stage is the palliative care wards of the QueenslandChildren’s Hospital in Brisbane, where terminally ill children are cared for during their final days.Despite the often sad circumstances of her workplace, Maggie says she was drawn towards palliativecare soon after beginning her healthcare career. “I strongly believe that we can do better to providechildren and families with comfort, respect and love at the end stage of life,” as she argues.
      To Maggie, it is important not to underestimate the effect music can have on health andwellbeing with music linked to increased levels of endorphins and decreased levels of stress. She highlights that “singing helps children strengthen their vocal control and breathing system, whileplaying instruments improves their fine-motor and coordination skills. Dancing and movementretrain their gross motor skills.”
       Yet, there are more to being a music therapist than just singing and playing. According toMaggie’s elaboration, “it is about understanding patients’ medical conditions, their family and socialbackgrounds, how the body and brain respond to music, and which music-therapy techniques willachieve the best outcomes.” Generally speaking, it is a huge challenge that will involve developingresources, educating and training local health professionals, and most importantly, changing culturalperspectives of palliative care. In China, for example, people in most of the provinces may believethat having someone die inside the house brings bad luck and shame on the family. Some parentscannot pay for their children to go into hospital and even if they could, the doctors do not know howto best manage a child’s death. “Many parents abandon critically ill children despite the fact that theycould be put in jail if they get caught, so they tend to leave them in places they cannot easily befound. The children do not stand much of a chance,” as Maggie reflects in a serious tone.
      A strong family support network is important to Maggie, especially due to the emotionallytaxing nature of her work. She insists that it is crucial to look after her mental health so she can keepdoing the work that she loves. “Often after a patient passes away, especially when I am involved inthat patient’s passing process, I take time to have a cuppa and reminisce on the positive things that Igot to share with them.” Maggie immerses herself into the countless magical and joyous moments ina peaceful silence. To this lady, being a music therapist brings the most rewarding and meaningfullife experiences.
31. What is the main idea of the passage?
(A) The impact of children’s death
(B) The perspectives of palliative care
(C) The mission of music therapists
(D) The functions of music-therapy techniques