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.
What technique does the author use to reveal the narrator's perspective about the ladies at the concert?
- A. She compares the ladies to perfectly decorated dolls.
- B. She repeats descriptive words to show the ladies' perfection.
- C. She exaggerates the appearance of the ladies.
- D. She describes two extremes of the ladies' dresses.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
The author's technique of comparing the ladies to perfectly decorated dolls effectively illustrates the narrator's perspective, highlighting their superficial beauty and lack of depth. This metaphor emphasizes the idealized and artificial nature of the ladies, suggesting a critique of societal standards. Option B, while focusing on repetition, does not capture the nuanced perspective as effectively as the metaphor does. Option C, exaggeration, may convey a sense of irony but lacks the specific imagery that reinforces the narrator's view. Option D introduces contrast but does not fully encapsulate the narrator's overall impression of the ladies’ superficiality.
The author's technique of comparing the ladies to perfectly decorated dolls effectively illustrates the narrator's perspective, highlighting their superficial beauty and lack of depth. This metaphor emphasizes the idealized and artificial nature of the ladies, suggesting a critique of societal standards. Option B, while focusing on repetition, does not capture the nuanced perspective as effectively as the metaphor does. Option C, exaggeration, may convey a sense of irony but lacks the specific imagery that reinforces the narrator's view. Option D introduces contrast but does not fully encapsulate the narrator's overall impression of the ladies’ superficiality.
Other Related Questions
Which assumption does the author of 'Letter to the Editor: Local Foods' make?
- A. Consumers were not shopping at the market.
- B. Local authorities had something to do with the market closing.
- C. The market has moved to another location.
- D. Local farmers have stopped producing food for the market.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The assumption that local authorities had something to do with the market closing is supported by the author’s focus on community involvement and potential policy impacts. This suggests a belief that local governance plays a role in the market's viability. Option A is incorrect as it does not directly address the reasons for the market's closure. Option C is also inaccurate since the letter implies a definitive closure rather than relocation. Lastly, option D assumes a cessation of local farming, which is not indicated in the text; the focus is on the market's operation rather than production levels.
The assumption that local authorities had something to do with the market closing is supported by the author’s focus on community involvement and potential policy impacts. This suggests a belief that local governance plays a role in the market's viability. Option A is incorrect as it does not directly address the reasons for the market's closure. Option C is also inaccurate since the letter implies a definitive closure rather than relocation. Lastly, option D assumes a cessation of local farming, which is not indicated in the text; the focus is on the market's operation rather than production levels.
Based on the details in the excerpt, which generalization can be made about Hester and William as parents?
- A. They are strict and avoid pampering their sons.
- B. They are confident about the future for their sons.
- C. They are respected as role models by their sons.
- D. They are demanding and intentionally overwork their sons.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Hester and William demonstrate a parenting style that emphasizes discipline and structure, suggesting they are strict and avoid pampering their sons. This is evident in their expectations and the manner in which they guide their children. Option B is incorrect as the excerpt does not provide evidence of their confidence regarding their sons' futures. Option C lacks support, as respect from children often stems from positive reinforcement, which is not indicated here. Option D misrepresents their approach; while they may have high expectations, the term "overwork" implies a negative, excessive pressure that is not supported by the details in the excerpt.
Hester and William demonstrate a parenting style that emphasizes discipline and structure, suggesting they are strict and avoid pampering their sons. This is evident in their expectations and the manner in which they guide their children. Option B is incorrect as the excerpt does not provide evidence of their confidence regarding their sons' futures. Option C lacks support, as respect from children often stems from positive reinforcement, which is not indicated here. Option D misrepresents their approach; while they may have high expectations, the term "overwork" implies a negative, excessive pressure that is not supported by the details in the excerpt.
With him she bravely threw off the British yoke, felt every pulsation of his heart for freedom, and inspired the glowing eloquence that maintained it through the century.' How would replacing the word 'yoke' with the word 'governance' affect the meaning of this sentence?
- A. it would add urgency for Americans to replace British laws with more republican ones
- B. it would strengthen the legitimacy of the American cause against the British.
- C. it would shift the blame for starting war from the British to the early Americans.
- D. it would weaken the idea that the British acted like masters of the Americans.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Replacing "yoke" with "governance" would weaken the idea that the British acted like masters of the Americans. "Yoke" conveys oppression and subjugation, emphasizing the burden imposed by British rule. In contrast, "governance" suggests a more neutral or structured form of authority, diminishing the sense of tyranny inherent in the original term. Option A misinterprets the context, as urgency is not directly related to the term change. Option B incorrectly assumes that "governance" would enhance legitimacy, which it wouldn't. Option C wrongly shifts blame, as the focus remains on British oppression rather than American actions.
Replacing "yoke" with "governance" would weaken the idea that the British acted like masters of the Americans. "Yoke" conveys oppression and subjugation, emphasizing the burden imposed by British rule. In contrast, "governance" suggests a more neutral or structured form of authority, diminishing the sense of tyranny inherent in the original term. Option A misinterprets the context, as urgency is not directly related to the term change. Option B incorrectly assumes that "governance" would enhance legitimacy, which it wouldn't. Option C wrongly shifts blame, as the focus remains on British oppression rather than American actions.
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.