Dmitry Shostakovichs first visit to the United States

Question

﻿  Dmitry Shostakovich’s first visit to the United States was an appearance at the Cultural and Scientific Conference for World Peace in New York City in March 1949. He was serving as one of five delegates from the Soviet Union, and as a delegate he listened as his translators read a prepared speech, mumbled brief answers to a few awkward questions, played on the piano once, attended a few concerts, and then left with cartons of cigarettes under his arm. The conference was described in the popular press as pro Communist propaganda, and protestors picketed the streets outside the Waldorf. Many Americans, however, were familiar with Shostakovich’s music, and many knew about the recent banning of his works in the Soviet Union.    1 
1: Which of the following best describes the author’s assessment of Shostakovich’s first trip to the United States?

A. The Cultural and Scientific Conference for World Peace was essentially essentially pro-Communist propaganda and Shostakovich viewed it as such.  
B. The Cultural and Scientific Conference for World Peace was designed to present Shostakovich’s works to the world for the first time but his debut was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the event.  
C. The Cultural and Scientific Conference for World Peace proved to be an inauspicious U.S debut for Shostakovich.  
D. Shostakovich’s visit focused public attention on his music and the recent banning of his works in the Soviet Union.  
E. Despite several problems, Shostakovich’s visit boosted his popularity in the United States.

2

2: What is the author’s purpose in closing this passage with the sentence, “Many Americans, however, were familiar with Shostakovich’s music, and many knew about the recent banning of his works in the Soviet Union?”

A. To note that despite the lack of attention and exposure given to Shostakovich at the Conference and despite the perception of the Conference as propaganda, the composer’s work and political plight were already known in the United States.  
B. To note that the presence of Shostakovich, whose work and political plight were known in the U.S., lent credence to the popular perception of the Conference as propaganda.  
C. To suggest that those Americans familiar with Shostakovich’s work and political plight did not share the view that the Conference was pro-Communist propaganda  
D. To suggest that the knowledge of Shostakovich and his political plight led to the protests against the Conference  
E. To suggest that Shostakovich’s political troubles were the primary reason for his fame in the United States Consider each of the three choices separately and select all that apply.

3

3: Which of the following statements about Shostakovich’s first visit to the U.S. are implied by the passage?

I. The performance of Shostakovich’s music was not given priority at the Conference.  
II. Shostakovich participated in the conference reluctantly.  
III. Shostakovich was a smoker.

A. I only
B. I and II only
C. I,II,III 
D. I and III only
E. III only

4

Riya2110 · Answer

Hi,
please explain 1 and 3

kjs10927 · Answer

Question 3 is debatable. Just because he left with cartons of cigarettes under his arm does not imply he himself is a smoker. What if those cigarettes for his friends?

carcass · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION #1

The correct answer is C. A is incorrect because the passage describes this view as that of the popular press, not as the author’s assessment and not of Shostakovich. B is incorrect because the passage does not describe this as the Conference’s purpose nor does it describe the controversy as having an adverse effect on the Conference. D is incorrect because Shostakovich is described as being far from the focus of attention of the Conference and the public is said to have been already aware of these matters. E is incorrect because the passage in no way suggests the composer’s popularity was increased by the Conference. C is the correct answer. The passage lists several examples of the composer’s experiences at the conference that contribute to the impression of a debut that was not particularly glorious. Shostakovich was one of five delegates. He played piano only once. He mumbled and listened passively to translators. Finally, he is depicted as concerned with stocking up on cigarettes.

carcass · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION #2

The correct answer is A. B is incorrect because the sentence does not draw any connection between Shostakovich and the overall public reception of the Conference. C is incorrect because the sentence does not describe or imply the feelings of those aware of Shostakovich. D is incorrect because the sentence does not describe or imply any causality between the two things. E is incorrect for the same reason. A is the correct answer. The use of the word “however” indicates that the point stands in spite of the negative factors described in the rest of the passage.

carcass · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION #3

I and III are correct. A is clearly implied by the passage by the statement that he played the piano only once and attended concerts by others. B is not justified. It is not clear whether the composer wanted to be there or not. C is implied by the passage. It is technically possible that the cigarettes were for others, but the passage clearly gives the impression he bought them for himself.

carcass · Answer

as a delegate he did 5 things

1) he listened as his translators read a prepared speech,
2) mumbled brief answers to a few awkward questions,
4) played on the piano once,
5) attended a few concerts,
5) and then left with cartons of cigarettes under his arm.

I do not think someone who did 4 things during his tour, then had a pack of blonds, then did not smoke. A pack under your arm is not there by chance.

However, even if we have the benefit of the doubt, the probability he was not is 0.1 negligible.

Therefore C is correct

yashi.rend · Answer

Does this chance work in GMAT?

Dmitry Shostakovichs first visit to the United States

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Dmitry Shostakovichs first visit to the United States

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