Most musicians agree that the best violins were made in Cremona, Italy, about 200 years ago. These violins sound better than any others. They even sound (21) violins made today. Violin makers and scientists try to make (22) like the old Italian violins. (23) they aren’t the same, Musicians prefer the old ones. No one really knows (24) these old Italian violins are so special, (25) many people think they have an answer.
Some people think it is the age of the violins. But not all old violins sound wonderful. Only the old violins from Cremona are (26) .
Other people think that the (27) to those violins is the wood. The wood of the violin is very important. It must be from certain kinds of trees. It (28) too young or too old. Perhaps the violin makers of Cremona knew (29) special about wood for violins.
But the kind of wood may not be (30) important. (31) may be more important to cut the wood in a special way. Wood for a violin must be cut very carefully. It was to be the right size and (32) The smallest difference will change the sound of the violin. Musicians (33) think that this was the secret of the Italians. (34) they understood more than we do about how to cut the wood.
Size and shape may not be the answer (35) .Scientists measured these old violins very carefully. They can make new ones that are exactly the same size and shape. But the violins do not sound (36) the old ones. Some scientists think the secret may be the varnish. Varnish is what covers the wood of the violin. It makes the wood (37) shiny. No one knows (38) the Italian violin makers used in their varnish. So no one can make the same varnish today. There may never be other violins (39) the violins of Cremona. And there are not very many of the old violins (40) .

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