Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions as follows:
Passage
Many musicologists consider jazz the only purely American form of music. Others, however, argue that jazz is rooted in a history similar to that of America itself, a history of confluence.
The immigration of Europeans and the slave trade of West Africans to America resulted in a convergence of cultures, traditions, and art forms, including music. Jazz, first played in New Orleans in the early 1900s, borrowed heavily from the European musical scale and harmonic system. Jazz ensembles were built predominantly on European instruments, such as the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and piano. The West African influence on jazz was manifested primarily in its performance. Scatting, a technique used by jazz vocalists to mimic the sounds of instruments, had its origin in West African vocal traditions. The emphasis on improvisation in jazz music, in addition to group participation, also came from West African music.
Proponents of the argument that jazz is purely American often point to its genesis in New Orleans as evidence for this perspective. The irony, however, is that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots. To deny the rich and complex history of jazz, and the true origins of the art form, is in effect denying the very aspects of the art form that make it undeniably American.
Question for Practice Test: Reading Comprehension - 9
Try yourself:The author of the passage would most likely agree with which of the following statements?
Explanation
(D) CORRECT. The first paragraph describes the diverse cultural background of jazz. The second paragraph shows how this background is uniquely American, in that the essential quality of America is cultural diversity. The “relevant paradox” is the way in which the fact that jazz is not strictly American in origin makes it even more American.
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Question for Practice Test: Reading Comprehension - 9
Try yourself:Which of the following provides the best example of the scatting technique used in jazz performance?
Explanation
A vocalist attempting to vocalize the tone and melodic line just played by a trumpet is an example of a singer mimicking “the sounds of instruments.”
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Question for Practice Test: Reading Comprehension - 9
Try yourself:It can be inferred from the passage that the author would be less inclined to label jazz an American art form if which of the following were true?
Explanation
This statement would indicate that jazz in fact did not come from a diverse set of musical traditions. The lack of “plurality” would most likely make the author less inclined to label jazz an American art form.
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Question for Practice Test: Reading Comprehension - 9
Try yourself:Which of the following best outlines the general structure of the passage?
Explanation
This answer choice correctly describes the structure of the passage. The first paragraph introduces two differing viewpoints on an issue, the second paragraph objectively presents relevant information, and the third paragraph describes the author’s opinion on the issue.
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Question for Practice Test: Reading Comprehension - 9
Try yourself:ccording to the passage, al l of the follow ing statements about jazz music are true EXCEPT:
Explanation
The passage clearly indicates that some musicologists believe jazz is “the only purely American form of music” while others “argue that jazz is rooted in a history similar to that of America itself, a history of confluence.” The point of disagreement is not whether jazz should be called American, but rather whether jazz should be called “purely” American. The author’s viewpoint is a good example. The author believes jazz comes from a complex convergence of traditions and cultures (not “purely” American). However, the author still believes jazz should be called an American art form: “to deny the rich and complex history of jazz, and the true origins of the art form, is in effect denying the very aspects of the art form that make it undeniably American.”
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Question for Practice Test: Reading Comprehension - 9
Try yourself:Which of the following elements of jazz most likely has its origin in West African musical traditions?
Explanation
The passage indicates that the emphasis on “improvisation in jazz music, in addition to group participation…came from West African music.” Thus, it is likely that an impromptu call-and-response came from West African traditions.
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