Excerpt from The Musician's Daughter
by Susanne Dunlap
I thought a lot, at the beginning, about my father playing the violin. I still remember the first time I ever saw a concert. I was very small, and we had just come to Esterhaza, a magnificent palace in Sopron, Hungary, when the prince's household moved there from his winter palace, at Eisenstadt, near Vienna. I think it may have been the first concert Papa took part in there. I had a new dress for the occasion, and Mama looked beautiful. I don't think Toby was born yet, or if he was, he was a small baby and stayed in our rooms with a nurse.
The palace at Esterháza was so new that it still smelled of raw wood and paint. The rooms were very grand. I had never seen so many candles in one place before. And they were expensive wax candles, not foul-smelling tallow. We stood to the side to watch the fine ladies enter. I thought they looked like dolls; their faces were so perfect. Later my mother told me that they painted them with white lead to make their skin artificially smooth and pale, and then rubbed rouge into their cheeks and lips, and drew lines of charcoal around their eyes so they would appear larger. And the headdresses-in those days the fashion was to have hair that towered up, stuck into place with diamond combs, with ribbons and pearls festooned around. And no matter what color it was naturally, ladies powdered their hair to snowy whiteness, so that the light of the candies was magnified by the glow from the people themselves.
And the men, too, were powdered and patched. Their gold buttons and lace were almost as gaudy as the ladies' finery. But the enormous panniers that held the ladies' skirts out to the side so far that they had to move sideways through doorways fascinated me most of all. I could barely be persuaded to turn my eyes to the orchestra when the concert started.
We were not seated with the guests. In fact, I think we were tucked away in an anteroom. The door was open so we could see through, and everyone pushed me forward to let me watch my father, who looked up now and again from the music and gave me a quick smile. The candlelight danced over the rich wood of his violin, the beautiful Italian instrument, an old Amati, that my grandfather had given him. Kapellmeister Haydn-who was also my godfather-sat at the harpsichord, smiling broadly all the time, waving one hand in the air to direct, then putting it back on the keys and instead using his head, bobbing and nodding to bring the winds in, or to indicate the entrance for the cellos. He looked like the music, 1 remember thinking. I wish I could bring that particular sound to my mind, but it has since blended with countless, other concert. I’ll always remember what it looked like, though. The light shimmering glow of everything and everyone.
How does paragraph 1 fit into the narrative structure of the excerpt?
- A. Paragraph 1 establishes the setting and the reason the narrator's family came to the palace.
- B. Paragraph 1 provides details about the narrator's feelings about the events of the evening.
- C. Paragraph 1 includes background about a conflict that arose from the narrator's feelings about fashion.
- D. Paragraph 1 describes the narrator's father and his performance at the concert.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Paragraph 1 effectively sets the scene by introducing the palace and explaining the family's reason for being there, which is essential for understanding the context of the narrative. This foundational information allows readers to grasp the significance of subsequent events. Option B incorrectly emphasizes the narrator's feelings, which may be explored later but are not the focus of paragraph 1. Option C misinterprets the content by suggesting a conflict related to fashion, which is not established in the opening. Option D mistakenly attributes a focus on the narrator's father and his performance, which may not be addressed in the introductory paragraph.
Paragraph 1 effectively sets the scene by introducing the palace and explaining the family's reason for being there, which is essential for understanding the context of the narrative. This foundational information allows readers to grasp the significance of subsequent events. Option B incorrectly emphasizes the narrator's feelings, which may be explored later but are not the focus of paragraph 1. Option C misinterprets the content by suggesting a conflict related to fashion, which is not established in the opening. Option D mistakenly attributes a focus on the narrator's father and his performance, which may not be addressed in the introductory paragraph.
Other Related Questions
How are the newsletter and the letter to the editor different with respect to their intended audiences?
- A. The newsletter is intended for a more knowledgeable audience.
- B. The newsletter is intended for a younger audience.
- C. The newsletter is intended for a smaller audience.
- D. The newsletter is intended for a more diverse audience.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The newsletter typically targets a specific group, often a smaller audience, such as members of an organization or community, providing tailored information relevant to their interests. In contrast, a letter to the editor is designed for a broader public audience, aiming to engage a wider range of readers by discussing general issues or opinions. Option A is incorrect because newsletters can cater to various knowledge levels, not just the knowledgeable. Option B is misleading as newsletters are not exclusively aimed at younger audiences; they can serve all age groups. Option D is inaccurate since newsletters often focus on a specific demographic rather than a diverse audience.
The newsletter typically targets a specific group, often a smaller audience, such as members of an organization or community, providing tailored information relevant to their interests. In contrast, a letter to the editor is designed for a broader public audience, aiming to engage a wider range of readers by discussing general issues or opinions. Option A is incorrect because newsletters can cater to various knowledge levels, not just the knowledgeable. Option B is misleading as newsletters are not exclusively aimed at younger audiences; they can serve all age groups. Option D is inaccurate since newsletters often focus on a specific demographic rather than a diverse audience.
At last she cut her thread and suddenly put her darning down, saying emphatically: 'William, I don't think it would hurt you to let the boys go to the circus in town tomorrow.' How would replacing the word 'emphatically' with the word 'contentiously' affect the meaning of the sentences?
- A. It would emphasize the previous descriptions of Hester as quick to provide unsolicited advice
- B. It would imply that Hester knows she is losing the argument and has run out of options other than shouting
- C. It would clarify that being direct and forceful are the main ways Hester persuades people to listen to her ideas
- D. It would suggest that Hester is trying to start an argument rather than simply being opinionated
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Replacing "emphatically" with "contentiously" shifts the tone of Hester's statement. While "emphatically" conveys strong conviction, "contentiously" implies a confrontational attitude, suggesting Hester is provoking disagreement rather than merely expressing her opinion. Option A is incorrect because it misinterprets Hester's intention; the focus is on argument rather than unsolicited advice. Option B inaccurately suggests Hester is losing the argument and resorting to shouting, which is not supported by the context. Option C misrepresents her persuasive style; being direct does not necessarily equate to being contentious.
Replacing "emphatically" with "contentiously" shifts the tone of Hester's statement. While "emphatically" conveys strong conviction, "contentiously" implies a confrontational attitude, suggesting Hester is provoking disagreement rather than merely expressing her opinion. Option A is incorrect because it misinterprets Hester's intention; the focus is on argument rather than unsolicited advice. Option B inaccurately suggests Hester is losing the argument and resorting to shouting, which is not supported by the context. Option C misrepresents her persuasive style; being direct does not necessarily equate to being contentious.
How does paragraph 6 fit into the problem-solution structure of the article?
- A. It introduces the problem of harboring wild animals without endangering neighbors.
- B. It provides a solution for containing debris without offending neighbors.
- C. It extends the solution for disposing of trash without spreading offensive odors.
- D. It reveals the problem of maintaining the landfill without harming the wild animals living there.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Paragraph 6 effectively addresses a solution for containing debris, ensuring that it does not offend neighbors. This aligns with the article's problem-solution structure by directly tackling community concerns about waste management. Option A incorrectly suggests that the paragraph introduces a problem rather than a solution. Option C misidentifies the focus, as it relates to trash odors rather than debris containment. Option D also misinterprets the content, as it implies a problem regarding landfills and wildlife, which is not the focus of this paragraph. Thus, B accurately encapsulates the paragraph's role in resolving a specific issue.
Paragraph 6 effectively addresses a solution for containing debris, ensuring that it does not offend neighbors. This aligns with the article's problem-solution structure by directly tackling community concerns about waste management. Option A incorrectly suggests that the paragraph introduces a problem rather than a solution. Option C misidentifies the focus, as it relates to trash odors rather than debris containment. Option D also misinterprets the content, as it implies a problem regarding landfills and wildlife, which is not the focus of this paragraph. Thus, B accurately encapsulates the paragraph's role in resolving a specific issue.
The author of 'The Letter of the Law' has decided to add subheadings to three paragraphs in her article to explain the idea presented in each. Which subheading summarizes which paragraph?
- A. Supreme Court hears Ledbetter v. Goodyear
- B. Salaries favor men over women
- C. Reasoning behind the decision
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B: Paragraph 2, A: Paragraph 4, C Paragraph 5
Subheading B, "Salaries favor men over women," effectively summarizes Paragraph 2, which discusses the gender wage gap and its implications. This aligns with the content's focus on disparities in pay. Subheading A, "Supreme Court hears Ledbetter v. Goodyear," accurately captures Paragraph 4, where the case's background and significance are outlined, emphasizing judicial involvement. Subheading C, "Reasoning behind the decision," pertains to Paragraph 5, which delves into the Court's rationale and legal interpretations regarding the case, clarifying the decision-making process. Each subheading succinctly reflects the core idea of its respective paragraph.
Subheading B, "Salaries favor men over women," effectively summarizes Paragraph 2, which discusses the gender wage gap and its implications. This aligns with the content's focus on disparities in pay. Subheading A, "Supreme Court hears Ledbetter v. Goodyear," accurately captures Paragraph 4, where the case's background and significance are outlined, emphasizing judicial involvement. Subheading C, "Reasoning behind the decision," pertains to Paragraph 5, which delves into the Court's rationale and legal interpretations regarding the case, clarifying the decision-making process. Each subheading succinctly reflects the core idea of its respective paragraph.