The immigration of Europeans and the importation of West African slaves 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.
Some musicologists argue that jazz is a purely American form of music. Others, however, contend that jazz is rooted in a history similar to that of America itself, a history of confluence. 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 to deny the very aspects of the art form that make it undeniably American.
4. The primary purpose of the passage is to
A-demonstrate how new art forms evolve
B-describe a medium’s diverse cultural genesis and a relevant paradox
C-argue that a new art form has its origins in the geographic location where it developed
D-describe the impact of African culture on an American art form
E-claim that one culture had a greater impact than another on the evolution of a new art form
OA:
5.The author of the passage would most likely agree with which of the following statements?
A-Although American football was derived from the English sports of soccer and rugby, it should be called a purely American sport because it was first played in America.
B-Because American football was derived from the English sports of soccer and rugby, it should not be called an American sport.
C-Most sports scholars deny the English origins of American football.
D-What makes American football American is its derivation from the English sports of soccer and rugby.
E-Because the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots, American football should not be called an American sport.
OA:
Can anybody explain the ans of question 4 and 5?
4. The passage starts by highlighting several traditions and cultures influenced by immigration. It later on provides details of several influences on one of the art fomrs in music - JAZZ. In conclusion passage also talks about the paradox of the origin of JAZZ - how different factions have different opinions on it. Hence B is the right answer.
5. Only option D captures the idea of the passage i.e origin of an art form from different sources and its wide acceptance across America.