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Updated on: 09 Mar 2026, 08:59
Originally posted by chitrasekar2k5 on 03 Aug 2013, 23:13.
Last edited by Bunuel on 09 Mar 2026, 08:59, edited 3 times in total.
Last edited by Bunuel on 09 Mar 2026, 08:59, edited 3 times in total.
Updated - Complete topic (488).
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Question 1
D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
55%
(hard)
Question Stats:
53% (03:27) correct
47%
(03:24) wrong
based on 3670
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 2
B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
5%
(low)
Question Stats:
78% (00:53) correct 22%
(01:17) wrong
based on 4099
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 3
D
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
45%
(medium)
Question Stats:
67% (01:43) correct 33%
(01:54) wrong
based on 3984
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Question 4
E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
5%
(low)
Question Stats:
89% (00:54) correct 11%
(01:15) wrong
based on 3836
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
(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.
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. 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.
(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.
Show SpoilerExplanation
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.
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.
(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. 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.
(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.
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.
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.
(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.
28 Mar 2018, 19:49
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adkikani
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.
adkikani
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.
03 Aug 2013, 23:54
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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
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
