Many musicologists consider jazz the only purely American form of

Question

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.    1  
 1.Which of the following elements of jazz most likely has its origin in West African musical traditions?

(A)the emphasis on a tonal harmonic structure
(B)the use of the guitar as one of the primary rhythm instruments
(C)melodic lines rooted in the dorian scale
(D)the use of many instruments in a jazz ensemble
(E)an impromptu call-and-response between two instruments in the ensemble

2  
 2.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 essentially American is that it was derived from the convergence of English 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.

abhijit_sen · Answer

1) E (The emphasis on improvisation in jazz music, in addition to group participation, also came from West African music)

2) E (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.)

priyankurml · Answer

Hey contributers... this is a fine RC passage from MGMAT test. I had only one questions correct under exam condition.

Explanation for  second  question:
This is a general question. In order to determine with which statement the author would be most likely to agree, we must determine the author’s main point in writing the passage. A breakdown of the purpose of each paragraph will help. The first paragraph highlights two differing views concerning the roots of jazz music, the second paragraph discusses the diverse origins of jazz, and the third paragraph states the author’s view concerning the origins of jazz: namely, that jazz is truly American because it is rooted in the confluence of West African and European music. More generally, the author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots,” or that to be American is to have a diverse background.

(A) The author believes that jazz should be called an American art form, but not because it was first played in America. Furthermore, the author believes that because of its origins in Europe and West Africa, not despite these origins. The author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots.” Therefore, it is likely that the author would believe the same about American football, that it is American because of its origins, not despite these origins.

(B) The author believes that jazz should be called an American art form because of its origins in Europe and West Africa. The author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots.” Therefore, it is likely that the author would believe the same about American football, that it is American because of its origins. Thus, this choice is backward.

(C) We have no information about the beliefs of sports scholars.

(D) CORRECT. The author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots.” Therefore, it is likely that the author would believe that the diverse origins of American football make it essentially American.

(E) Because the author believes “that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots,” and because American football has diverse origins, the author would be likely to believe that American football should be called an American sport. Thus, this choice is backward.

priyankurml · Answer

First Question IMO E.
1. Which of the following elements of jazz most likely has its origin in West African musical traditions?
the emphasis on a tonal harmonic structure --  emphasis on group participation not tonal structure 
the use of the guitar as one of the primary rhythm instruments --  West African used vocal traditions - no instrument 
melodic lines rooted in the dorian scale --  Dorian Scale not mentioned

the use of many instruments in a jazz ensemble --  West African used vocal traditions - no instrument

an impromptu call-and-response between two instruments in the ensemble --  emphasis on improvisation in jazz music

NickHalden · Answer

Yes, the correct answer for 1st question is E.
This definitely is a 700-800 level question.
This is the only option that does justice to “improvisation in jazz music, in addition to group participation…came from West African music.”

sleepynut · Answer

Hi,
In question 1,I could reach to option E by the POE.But I couldn't find any phrase refer to what E mentions.
Can anyone help pinpoint the line in passage?

Thanks

Lucy Phuong · Answer

As mentioned in the passage:
 "The emphasis on  improvisation  in jazz music, in addition to group participation, also came from West African music."

"improvisation" means spontaneous performance, as matched with (E) an  impromptu call-and-response between two instruments  in the ensemble

Hope this helps!

haardiksharma · Answer

there is one more question to this passage someone edit post and add this questions

According to the passage, all of the following
statements about jazz music are true EXCEPT:
A. Jazz music was first played in the twentieth century.
B. Jazz music was first played in New Orleans.
C. The instrumentation used in jazz music includes horns
as well as stringed instruments.
D. Impromptu elements are a common characteristic of
jazz performance.
E. There is disagreement among musicologists as to
whether jazz music should be called an American art
form.

Nirman23 · Answer

Hi, Thank you for helping me find the mistake in  question 1  but i think your reasoning of  question 2  is quite off as the author says "  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."  This statement tells us that he thinks that denying the true inspiration of the art form is not the American way.

2.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.  Opposite of the authors statement 
(B)Because American football was derived from the English sports of soccer and rugby, it should not be called an American sport.  Extreme Stance  
(C)Most sports scholars deny the English origins of American football.  Most ?? Too Vague 
(D)What makes American football essentially American is that it was derived from the convergence of English soccer and rugby.   Perfectly aligns with the statement Correct  
(E)Because the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots, American football should not be called an American sport.  Extreme Stance

Note : The author never tells about taking a stance as the jazz is American or not. He just expresses his opinion on the denying its art form.

I hope this helps. Thank you

Many musicologists consider jazz the only purely American form of

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Many musicologists consider jazz the only purely American form of

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