It is now possible to hear a recording of Caruso's singing that is far

Question

( This passage was written in 1984. )

It is now possible to hear a recording of Caruso's singing that is far superior to any made during his lifetime. A decades-old wax-cylinder recording of this great operatic tenor has been digitized, and the digitized signal has been processed by computer to remove the extraneous sound, or “noise,” introduced by the now “ancient” wax-cylinder recording process.

Although this digital technique needs improvement, it represents a new and superior way of recording and processing sound which overcomes many of the limitations of analog recording. In analog recording systems, the original sound is represented as a continuous waveform created by variations in the sound's amplitude over time. When analog playback systems reproduce this waveform, however, they invariably introduce distortions. First, the waveform produced during playback differs somewhat from the original waveform. Second, the medium that stores the analog recording creates noise during playback which gets added to the recorded sounds.

Digital recordings, by contrast, reduce the original sound to a series of discrete numbers that represent the sound's waveform. Because the digital playback system “reads” only numbers, any noise and distortion that may accumulate during storage and manipulation of the digitized signal will have little effect: as long as the numbers remain recognizable, the original waveform will be reconstructed with little loss in quality. However, because the waveform is continuous, while its digital representation is composed of discrete numbers, it is impossible for digital systems to avoid some distortion. One kind of distortion, called “sampling error,” occurs if the sound is sampled (i.e., its amplitude is measured) too infrequently, so that the amplitude changes more than one quantum (the smallest change in amplitude measured by the digital system) between samplings. In effect, the sound is changing too quickly for the system to record it accurately. A second form of distortion is “quantizing error,” which arises when the amplitude being measured is not a whole number of quanta, forcing the digital recorder to round off. Over the long term, these errors are random, and the noise produced (a background buzzing) is similar to analog noise except that it only occurs when recorded sounds are being reproduced.   1 
 1. Which of the following best describes the relationship of the first paragraph to the passage as a whole?

(A) The first paragraph introduces a general thesis that is elaborated on in detail elsewhere in the passage. 
(B) The first paragraph presents a concrete instance of a problem that is discussed elsewhere in the passage. 
(C) The first paragraph describes a traditional process that is contrasted unfavorably with a newer process described elsewhere in the passage. 
(D) The first paragraph presents a dramatic example of the potential of a process that is described elsewhere in the passage. 
(E) The first paragraph describes a historic incident that served as the catalyst for developments described elsewhere in the passage.

2 
 This question asks you to identify something mentioned specifically in the passage that is a feature of analog recording systems that is not shared by digital recording systems.

Choice B is the best answer.

The passage states in lines 10-13 that  analog recording systems  represent the original sound as a  continuous waveform , while in lines 21-23 it notes that  digital recordings  reduces the  original sound to a series of discrete numbers .

Neither A, D, or E are features of analog systems, according to the passage.

Choice C is not correct: while the passage does say that analog recording systems distort the original sound, the passage also notes that " it is impossible for digital systems to avoid some distortion " (lines 31-32).

Thus some amount of sound distortion is involved in both analog and digital recording processes. 
 2. According the passage, one of the ways in which analog recording systems differ from digital recording systems is that analog systems

(A) can be used to reduce background noise in old recordings 
(B) record the original sound as a continuous waveform 
(C) distort the original sound somewhat 
(D) can avoid introducing extraneous and nonmusical sounds 
(E) can reconstruct the original waveform with little loss quality

3 
 3. Which of the following statements about the numbers by which sound is represented in a digital system can be inferred from the passage?

(A) They describe the time interval between successive sounds in a passage of music. 
(B) They model large changes in the amplitude of the initial sound with relatively poor precision. 
(C) They are slightly altered each time they are read by the playback apparatus. 
(D) They are not readily altered by distortion and noise accumulated as the digital signal is stored and manipulated. 
(E) They are stored in the recording medium in small groups that can be read simultaneously by the playback apparatus.

4 
 E
Digital recordings, by contrast, reduce the original sound to a series of discrete numbers that represent the sound's waveform. Because the digital playback system “reads” only numbers, any noise and distortion that may accumulate during storage and manipulation of the digitized signal will have little effect: as long as the numbers remain recognizable, the original waveform will be reconstructed with little loss in quality. However, because the waveform is continuous, while its digital representation is composed of discrete numbers,  it is impossible for digital systems to avoid some distortion.  One kind of distortion, called “sampling error,” occurs if the sound is sampled (i.e., its amplitude is measured) too infrequently, so that the amplitude changes more than one quantum (the smallest change in amplitude measured by the digital system) between samplings. In effect, the sound is changing too quickly for the system to record it accurately. A second form of distortion is “quantizing error,” which arises when the amplitude being measured is not a whole number of quanta, forcing the digital recorder to round off. Over the long term, these errors are random, and the noise produced (a background buzzing) is similar to analog noise except that it only occurs when recorded sounds are being reproduced. 
 4. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about the digital approach to the processing of sound?

(A) It was developed in competition with wax-cylinder recording technology. 
(B) It has resulted in the first distortion-free playback system. 
(C) It has been extensively applied to nonmusical sounds. 
(D) It cannot yet process music originally recorded on analog equipment. 
(E) It is not yet capable of reprocessing old recordings in a completely distortion-free manner.

GMATNinja · Accepted Answer

1. Which of the following best describes the relationship of the first paragraph to the passage as a whole?

The first paragraph does not present a  general  thesis. Instead, it presents a specific example.

The word "dramatic" might sour you on choice (D). But if we remove that word, then (D) is clearly 100% accurate. So now we just have to decide whether the example cited qualifies as "dramatic" (i.e. "striking" or "sensational"). Well, the author refers to Caruso as a "great operatic tenor", and tells us that it is now possible to hear a recording that is FAR SUPERIOR to any made during his lifetime. Sounds like a dramatic statement to me. Also, this example involves replacing  decades-old  technology with new, digital technology. This improvement can certainly be described as dramatic.

(D) is the best answer.

2. According the passage, one of the ways in which analog recording systems differ from digital recording systems is that analog systems

We are told that analog recording systems cause distortion: "When analog playback systems reproduce this waveform, however, they invariably introduce distortion."

We are also told that digital recording systems cause distortion: "it is  impossible  for digital systems to avoid  some  distortion."

Since both types produce distortion, (C) must be eliminated. We are looking for a way in which the two methods  differ . "In analog recording systems, the original sound is represented as a continuous waveform... Digital recordings,  by contrast , reduce the original sound to a series of  discrete  (i.e. not continuous) numbers that represent the sound's waveform."

(B) is the best answer.

Zarrolou · Answer

1. Which of the following best describes the relationship of the first paragraph to the passage as a whole?

The first paragraph presents an example/instance of a new process: 
   It is now possible to hear a recording of Caruso's singing that is far superior   to any made during his lifetime. A decades-old wax-cylinder recording of this great operatic tenor   has been digitized,   and the digitized signal has been   processed by computer   to remove the extraneous sound, or “noise,” introduced by the now “ancient” wax-cylinder recording process. 
Than the second paragraph talks about analog recording systems and their problems; the third one talks about digital recordings: how it overcome some f the old problems, and introduces the new issues it has.

(A) The first paragraph introduces a general  thesis  that is elaborated on in detail elsewhere in 
the passage.  
The first paragraph does not introduce a thesis.
 (B) The first paragraph presents a concrete instance of a problem that is discussed elsewhere 
in the passage.  
Maybe, I'll keep it for now.
 (C) The first paragraph  describes a traditional process  that is contrasted unfavorably with a 
newer process described elsewhere in the passage.  
The first paragraph does not talk about the  process  itself.
 (D) The first paragraph presents a dramatic example of the potential of a process that is 
described elsewhere in the passage.  
This seems good as well.
 (E) The first paragraph describes a  historic incident  that served as the catalyst for 
developments described elsewhere in the passage. 
The fact presented in the first part is not an historic incident.

B and D are the contenders. Which is better: "first paragraph presents a concrete instance of a problem" or "first paragraph presents a dramatic example of the potential of a process"?
 It is now possible to hear a recording of Caruso's singing that is far superior to any made during his lifetime. <== D is better because this presents the potential of the process (discussed after as said above)

2. According the passage, one of the ways in which analog recording systems differ from digital recording systems is that analog systems  
 analog recording systems, the original sound is represented as a continuous waveform 
 Digital recordings, by contrast, reduce the original sound to a series of discrete numbers 
 (B) record the original sound as a continuous waveform  
CORRECT
 
 3. Which of the following statements about the numbers by which sound is represented in a digital system can be inferred from the passage?  
 Because the digital playback system “reads” only numbers, any noise and distortion that may accumulate during storage and manipulation of the digitized signal will have little effect 
 (D) They are not readily altered by distortion and noise accumulated as the digital signal is 
stored and manipulated.  
CORRECT

4. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about the digital approach to the processing of sound?  
 Over the long term, these (of the digital process) errors are random, and the noise produced (a background buzzing) is similar to analog noise except that it only occurs when recorded sounds are being reproduced. 
 (E) It is not yet capalbe of reprocessing old recordings in a completely distortion-free manner. 
CORRECT

adkikani · Answer

GMATNinja   GMATNinjaTwo

1. Which of the following best describes the relationship of the first paragraph to the passage as a whole?

Introduces is mentioned as - It is now possible.. in very first sentence of passage.
General thesis - Digital recording - Elaborated in last para of passage

Rejected because the phrase - dramatic example - sounded too strong to be proven true.

2. According the passage, one of the ways in which analog recording systems differ from digital recording systems is that analog systems

This can be inferred from 
   In analog recording systems, the original sound is represented as a continuous waveform created by variations in the sound's amplitude over time. When analog playback systems reproduce this waveform, however, they invariably introduce distortions.  
Since original sound is represented as a continuous waveform.

sssanskaar · Answer

How to eliminate option B from question1 ? I have understood from the above posts that D is the correct answer, but how is B wrong?

Sneha2021 · Answer

GMATNinja   GMATNinja Two  EducationAisle

I was confused between B and D in q1. I selected B as I could not find a reason to eliminate B.
I have understood that D is correct but how to eliminate B. 
Please help.

GMATGuruNY · Answer

The news in the first paragraph is WHOLLY POSITIVE: the digitization process can be used  to remove the extraneous sound...introduced by the old process , so that  it is now possible to hear a recording of Caruso's singing that is far superior to any made during his lifetime .

D:  The first paragraph presents a concrete instance of a problem. 
A problem is  a harmful circumstance that has not yet been overcome .
In the first paragraph, a harmful circumstance HAS been overcome: the extraneous sound introduced by the old process has been removed with digitization.
Thus, the purpose of the first paragraph is to present not a problem but a recently discovered SOLUTION.
Eliminate D.

GMATNinja · Answer

Question 1 
 
The issue with (B) is that the first paragraph is not presenting a PROBLEM that is discussed later in the passage. Instead, it presents the recent SOLUTION that has been developed to digitize wax-cylinder recordings.

Sure, the second paragraph discusses some of the problems with analog systems. But we’re asked about the relationship of the first paragraph to the passage  as a whole . And the passage as a whole is interested in the solutions presented by digital recordings, not the problems of analog recordings.

For that reason, we can eliminate (B).

I hope that helps!

Tanchat · Answer

Dear Expert,

Question 3

Why (C) is incorrect?

RonTargetTestPrep · Answer

Question 3  is about the  numbers  that represent sound in a  digital  system.

The only area of the passage that says anything about playback being modified from the original is the second paragraph—but that part is about analog systems, not digital systems.

Moreover, the passage says that  playback  in a digital system merely "reads" numbers—a wording that implies that NO modification occurs at this process. (Consider what "read-only" means for computer files in general.)

agrasan · Answer

Hi experts  GMATNinja   KarishmaB

In question-1, can we reject option C on the basis of reasoning that there was  no comparison  (favorable or unfavorable) between the traditional process (analog recording) with the newer process (digital recording) at the first place in para-1, it only talked about how the problem of "noise" introduced by analog recording was fixed by the new process, hence, option C can't be true?

KarishmaB · Answer

1. Which of the following best describes the relationship of the first paragraph to the passage as a whole?

(A) The first paragraph introduces a general thesis that is elaborated on in detail elsewhere in the passage.  
 (B) The first paragraph presents a concrete instance of a problem that is discussed elsewhere in the passage.  
 (C) The first paragraph describes a traditional process that is contrasted unfavorably with a newer process described elsewhere in the passage.  
 (D) The first paragraph presents a dramatic example of the potential of a process that is described elsewhere in the passage.  
 (E) The first paragraph describes a historic incident that served as the catalyst for developments described elsewhere in the passage.

The purpose of the first para is to give an illustration of what the author wants to discuss - the better new recording method. Hence (D) is spot on.

(C) is a problem because the first para does not "describe" the traditional process. It only introduces the traditional process and points out a problem with it.

kabirgandhi · Answer

Tough Passage; took close to 7:45 mins for all 4 questions,

Even though Q1 was tricky in terms of the traps, Q3 was the most time-consuming, since some inference questions that are not about a specific part of the passage, i.e. 1-2 sentences, make it tough to determine the correct answer, since we do not necessarily know what part of the passage to zero in on.

Generally, for inference/detail questions about one to two lines in the passage, pthe rocess I follow is to give a quick re-read, and use POE.

What, if any, process can be used for questions like Q3? (Other than reading better duh:/) Since the information about the focus of the question is spread throughout the paragraph, and it is not possible to reread it to compare with the answer choices to get the correct answer?

For eg, I struggled to eliminate B, even though I chose the correct one since it matched what I recollected and could see in the passage

For eg, I struggled to eliminate B, even though I chose the correct one since it matched what I recollected and could see in the passage

GMATNinja ,  KarishmaB ,  WhitEngagePrep ,  GMATGuruNY

WhitEngagePrep · Answer

Great question about the process for detail in general - how do we orient ourselves based on how the question is presented? Although you didn't say it explicitly, I'm sure you've noticed that some detail questions point you towards a very narrow fact, sentence, or even word. However, some detail questions can be exceedingly broad; for example, "Which of the following is mentioned in the passage?" points to the entire thing! This is somewhere in the middle. Yes, the concept of "numbers" is discussed a few times in paragraph 3, but at least it's confined to a single paragraph! I would go back and skim quickly to see where "numbers" was mentioned (and check my initial 1-bullet blurb about what I thought the point of this paragraph was). My initial blurb was something like "digital converts waveform to #s which reduces storage distortion, but other distortion can still be there - 2 types." And thankfully, numbers is only mentioned in the first half of the paragraph - I absolutely will re-read 3 sentences to help me predict an answer! Q3 Which of the following statements about the numbers by which sound is represented in a digital system can be inferred from the passage? What does the passage say about "numbers" - original sound is reduced to them (discrete) to represent the waveform - system only reads "numbers" so storage/manipulation distortion has little/no effect (as long as #s remain recognizable!) - this happens with little loss in quality - waveform is continuous but numbers are discrete (possible mismatch that leads to other distortion?) Now we compare these to the answer choices and see what we cannot prove! (A) They describe the time interval between successive sounds in a passage of music. - I have literally no clue about this - I just know that they're discrete and represent the waveform generally (B) They model large changes in the amplitude of the initial sound with relatively poor precision. - again, no clue! this is all discussion of sampling error but not specifically of the numbers themselves (C) They are slightly altered each time they are read by the playback apparatus. - don't see this in the bits about numbers either! (D) They are not readily altered by distortion and noise accumulated as the digital signal is stored and manipulated. - THIS is something I read! "Any noise and distortion that may accumulate during storage and manipulate will have little effect." (E) They are stored in the recording medium in small groups that can be read simultaneously by the playback apparatus. - again, no clue! So here's the thing, you're right that the concept of numbers isn't just in one sentence, the correct answer to an inference about them will have to come from the text that talks about them. And it is 100% worth the effort to go back and see where that text is and re-familiarize yourself with it. A re-read of 2-4 sentences is something I'm often doing for all detail and inference problems! If you don't read back and get a clear picture of the context you're allowed to cite, it's very very easy to get turned around in the answer choices! Hope this helps!

Whit

kabirgandhi · Answer

Thanks for the reply! This makes sense, although for questions where the information is spread even more than this question, since it is not possible to re-read and locate all info and still make time - I believe we might have to rely on our read + trying to find info based on specific answer choices (which would still be very time consuming). Seems to me that science passages with dense detail about some phenomenon use this question type quite frequently, since it is so easy to get lost within the fine print.

Also, when we're reading a passage for the first time, since we are not trying to memorise details, while trying to identify the "big picture" of the sentence/paragraph/passage - this seems to slip through

Also, when we're reading a passage for the first time, since we are not trying to memorise details, while trying to identify the "big picture" of the sentence/paragraph/passage - this seems to slip through

KarishmaB · Answer

For one, learn to visualize while reading.

For example, when I was reading this part:
  Digital recordings, by contrast, reduce the original sound to a series of discrete numbers that represent the sound's waveform. Because the digital playback system “reads” only numbers, any noise and distortion that may accumulate during storage and manipulation of the digitized signal will have little effect: as long as the numbers remain recognizable, the original waveform will be reconstructed with little loss in quality.

I was imagining converting a wave to 2-3-5-4-1-3- based on the waveform (perhaps higher the altitude higher the number - whatever). So while reading back, the device is reading the numbers and if they are recognizable (say dust has not spoiled them) the device only needs to recognize the numbers to recreate the waveforms. In an analog form, the wave shape would change with very little dust also. I don't understand how recording music works but this is what I could gather from the passage.

Hence in question 3, when I read the options, option (D) made perfect sense. Yes, you can go and confirm in 3rd para since the digital process of numbers is discussed there so data is in a limited range here.

Bigger problems arise when the options are found all over the passage. In those, all you have time for is go back to confirm one or two options that you think make sense. Typically when you visualize the passage, you do have an idea of what could work. If pressed for time, such RC questions are perfect for review and edit option in the Verbal section.

WhitEngagePrep · Answer

Just to caution about two things you said: - I don't think you should be pulling ANY of the details that I provided in your first read. You're 100% right that we are trying to get the big picture only (and maybe have some light memory of where we saw things when we are pointed back. So you're right, these SHOULD slip through on the first read. However, you 100% SHOULD be going back once a passage gives you any direction at all (even a loose one), to find proof before working with the answer choices! This is exactly the point I was making about "Which of the following is mentioned in the passage?" questions. For those, know going in that they are going to be TIME CONSUMING and be ready to eliminate what you can remember and then verify quickly. Anything you're unsure of, leave it as a possibility. And then be ready for 2 answer choices to be left - the correct one, and one that is going to be much harder to find/prove. So here, I often say guess! But just because the uber-rare "zero direction" detail question exists, don't let that sway you from absolutely researching proof for any other question you'll see. Honestly, I haven't seen a "zero direction" detail question in ages in official tested material (it's honestly a tiny bit more common on the GRE since you can skip questions, but even there they seem to be phasing these out)!

Whit

Usernamevisible · Answer

My doubt is about option B in Question 2.

The passage says digital recordings ???reduce the original sound to a series of discrete numbers.??? Doesn???t ???reduce to??? imply that the original sound is first recorded in its continuous waveform form and then converted into discrete numbers? If so, wouldn???t both analog and digital initially record the sound as a continuous waveform, making option B not a true point of difference?

guddo · Answer

2. According the passage, one of the ways in which analog recording systems differ from digital recording systems is that analog systems

The passage says analog systems represent sound as a continuous waveform, while digital systems represent sound as a series of numbers.  The key contrast  is continuous representation versus  discrete numerical representation .

(A) can be used to reduce background noise in old recordings

This is incorrect. The passage says the old Caruso recording was improved by digitizing it and processing it by computer, not by using analog recording.

(B) record the original sound as a continuous waveform

This is correct.  The passage directly states that analog recording systems represent the original sound as a continuous waveform.

(C) distort the original sound somewhat

This is not a good answer because digital systems also introduce some distortion, such as sampling error and quantizing error. So this is not a clear difference between analog and digital systems.

(D) can avoid introducing extraneous and nonmusical sounds

This is incorrect. The passage says analog storage media create noise during playback.

(E) can reconstruct the original waveform with little loss quality

This describes digital systems, not analog systems.

Answer: (B)

egmat · Answer

Hi Usernamevisible,

You've read the phrase "reduce to" very carefully, and I want to show you exactly where that careful read takes you one step too far.

Here's the sentence you're leaning on, with the key signal restored:

"In analog recording systems, the original sound is represented as a continuous waveform...  Digital recordings, by contrast, reduce the original sound to a series of discrete numbers. "

Notice  "by contrast."  The author is  explicitly  setting up analog and digital as opposites here. And the thing being contrasted is  how each system represents the sound in its recording : analog holds it as a  continuous waveform , digital holds it as  discrete numbers . That's the difference the question is asking about.

Where your read goes beyond the text

You're inferring that "reduce to" implies a hidden first stage where digital, too, captures a continuous waveform - so both "start" continuous. But the passage never describes that intermediate step. It only tells us the  form each system ends up representing the sound in . On that dimension, they are clearly different, and B just restates what the passage assigns to analog: "record the original sound as a continuous waveform."

Even granting your point - that the  real-world  sound is continuous before anything touches it - that's the sound itself, not the  recording system's representation . The question is about the systems, and the passage draws the line cleanly: continuous waveform vs. discrete numbers.

A simpler line to feel it

"Library A keeps its books as  paper volumes . Library B, by contrast,  reduces its books to digital files ."

Is "stores books as paper volumes" a true difference for Library A? Absolutely - even though Library B's files may have been scanned  from  paper. The end representation is what separates them. Same move here: continuous waveform (analog) vs. discrete numbers (digital).

That's why  B  is a valid point of difference.

Answer: B

It is now possible to hear a recording of Caruso's singing that is far

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It is now possible to hear a recording of Caruso's singing that is far

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