Read the passage(s) below and answer the question based on what is stated or implied in the passage(s) and in any introductory material that may be provided.
Passage
Many professional musicians receive conservatory training in order to become well-grounded in formal theory and instrumental technique; however, when we approach jazz we are entering quite a different sphere of training. Here it is more meaningful to speak of apprenticeship, ordeals, initiation ceremonies, and rebirth. For after the jazz musician has learned the fundamentals of an instrument and the standard techniques of jazz, such as intonations and traditional styles, the musician must then find his or her soul. All this through achieving that subtle identification between the instrument and the musician's deepest drives, which will allow for the expression of each artist's distinctive
The last sentence of the passage primarily emphasizes which point about jazz?
- A. Jazz is hard to define and varies greatly among performers.
- B. Years of training are needed to hone a jazz musician's skills.
- C. Jazz performances are comparable to paintings and sculptures.
- D. Playing jazz is a highly personal and creative activity.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The last sentence highlights the personal and creative nature of jazz, illustrating how musicians express their individuality through their performances. This aligns with option D, emphasizing the unique artistic voice each musician brings to the genre. Option A, while true, focuses on the complexity of defining jazz rather than its personal nature. Option B addresses the technical aspect of training, which is important but not the central theme of the conclusion. Option C compares jazz to visual arts, but this analogy does not capture the essence of personal expression that the final sentence conveys.
The last sentence highlights the personal and creative nature of jazz, illustrating how musicians express their individuality through their performances. This aligns with option D, emphasizing the unique artistic voice each musician brings to the genre. Option A, while true, focuses on the complexity of defining jazz rather than its personal nature. Option B addresses the technical aspect of training, which is important but not the central theme of the conclusion. Option C compares jazz to visual arts, but this analogy does not capture the essence of personal expression that the final sentence conveys.
Other Related Questions
Which choice best characterizes the way the author presents the relationship between the arts and political and social issues?
- A. The arts are a key driver of political and social change.
- B. The arts are a way to distract people from political and social problems.
- C. The arts reflect changes in the political and social landscape,
- D. The arts are stifled during times of political and social upheaval
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The author illustrates that the arts serve as a mirror to society, effectively reflecting the evolving political and social landscape. This perspective highlights how artistic expression often responds to and encapsulates the sentiments of the times. Option A overstates the influence of the arts, suggesting they actively drive change rather than reflect it. Option B misrepresents the role of the arts, implying they serve only as distractions, which neglects their deeper societal relevance. Option D presents a limited view, focusing solely on suppression during upheaval, ignoring the arts' potential to comment on or critique such situations.
The author illustrates that the arts serve as a mirror to society, effectively reflecting the evolving political and social landscape. This perspective highlights how artistic expression often responds to and encapsulates the sentiments of the times. Option A overstates the influence of the arts, suggesting they actively drive change rather than reflect it. Option B misrepresents the role of the arts, implying they serve only as distractions, which neglects their deeper societal relevance. Option D presents a limited view, focusing solely on suppression during upheaval, ignoring the arts' potential to comment on or critique such situations.
The final paragraph suggests that seeing the woman has caused the narrator to
- A. face the negative feelings she has about her new home
- B. realize that she misses her mother more than she admits
- C. think about her own feelings about her family and background
- D. remember the reason she moved away from her home country
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The final paragraph indicates that the narrator's encounter with the woman prompts deep reflection on personal emotions and familial connections. This aligns with option C, as it emphasizes the narrator's introspection regarding her family and background. Option A is incorrect; while the narrator may have complex feelings about her new home, the focus is not solely on negativity. Option B suggests a specific longing for her mother, which is not explicitly stated in the text. Option D implies a focus on the reasons for moving, but the narrator's thoughts center more on her feelings than on past decisions. Thus, option C best captures the essence of the narrator's experience.
The final paragraph indicates that the narrator's encounter with the woman prompts deep reflection on personal emotions and familial connections. This aligns with option C, as it emphasizes the narrator's introspection regarding her family and background. Option A is incorrect; while the narrator may have complex feelings about her new home, the focus is not solely on negativity. Option B suggests a specific longing for her mother, which is not explicitly stated in the text. Option D implies a focus on the reasons for moving, but the narrator's thoughts center more on her feelings than on past decisions. Thus, option C best captures the essence of the narrator's experience.
Which of the following, if true, would best serve to challenge Ogburn and Thomas's belief that the discovery of calculus is an example of the 'phenomenon' mentioned in the first sentence?
- A. Uncovering the existence of a journal that Newton kept while working with calculus
- B. Learning that scientists other than Newton and Leibniz had also made substantial progress on calculus
- C. Finding a previously unknown letter between Newton and Leibniz discussing calculus that predated its commonly assumed discovery
- D. Identifying a minor error in Newton's original mathematical calculations
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C effectively challenges Ogburn and Thomas's belief by suggesting that the discovery of calculus was not as isolated as previously thought. A letter between Newton and Leibniz predating the commonly accepted timeline implies prior knowledge or collaboration, undermining the notion of a singular 'phenomenon.' Option A, while interesting, does not directly challenge the notion of discovery but rather adds context to Newton's process. Option B highlights contributions from others but does not negate the significance of Newton and Leibniz’s roles. Option D points to an error that could suggest flaws in Newton's work but does not impact the legitimacy of the discovery itself.
Option C effectively challenges Ogburn and Thomas's belief by suggesting that the discovery of calculus was not as isolated as previously thought. A letter between Newton and Leibniz predating the commonly accepted timeline implies prior knowledge or collaboration, undermining the notion of a singular 'phenomenon.' Option A, while interesting, does not directly challenge the notion of discovery but rather adds context to Newton's process. Option B highlights contributions from others but does not negate the significance of Newton and Leibniz’s roles. Option D points to an error that could suggest flaws in Newton's work but does not impact the legitimacy of the discovery itself.
What assumption does the author of the passage make?
- A. Gases produced by algae will be cheaper to produce than other gases.
- B. The Department of Energy is already using hydrogen-producing algae as a source of energy.
- C. Mutant versions of algae will not be capable of the process of photosynthesis.
- D. Readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The assumption that readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research highlights a potential gap in public awareness, which the author seeks to address. Option A incorrectly suggests a comparison of costs that may not be discussed in the passage. Option B assumes current use of hydrogen-producing algae by the Department of Energy, which may not be established in the text. Option C presumes that mutant algae cannot photosynthesize, which overlooks the possibility of their adaptability. Each of these options misinterprets the author's intent and the context provided in the passage.
The assumption that readers do not associate the Department of Energy with algae research highlights a potential gap in public awareness, which the author seeks to address. Option A incorrectly suggests a comparison of costs that may not be discussed in the passage. Option B assumes current use of hydrogen-producing algae by the Department of Energy, which may not be established in the text. Option C presumes that mutant algae cannot photosynthesize, which overlooks the possibility of their adaptability. Each of these options misinterprets the author's intent and the context provided in the passage.