501 Critical Reading Questions

(Sean Pound) #1

  1. In the last paragraph of Passage 2 (lines 37–50), the author
    suggests that
    a. the blues should be recognized as more important and complex
    musical form than rock and roll.
    b.the golden age of rock and roll owes much to the popularity of
    blues cover songs.
    c. music has always been a means for people to deal with intense
    emotions and difficulties.
    d.a shared interest in the blues may have helped blacks and whites
    better understand each other and ease racial tensions.
    e.the rock and roll versions of blues songs were better than the
    originals.

  2. Both authors would agree on all of the following points EXCEPT
    a. listening to the blues is cathartic.
    b.Robert Johnson is the best blues guitarist from the 1930s and
    1940s.
    c. the blues are an important part of American history.
    d.“Crossroads” is one of the most well-known blues songs.
    e.blues music is deeply emotional.

  3. The passages differ in tone and style in that
    a. Passage 1 is intended for a general audience while Passage 2 is
    intended for readers with a musical background.
    b.Passage 1 is far more argumentative than Passage 2.
    c. Passage 1 is often speculative while Passage 2 is factual and
    assertive.
    d.Passage 1 is more formal than Passage 2, which is quite casual.
    e.Passage 1 is straight-forward while Passage 2 often digresses
    from the main point.

  4. Which of the following best describes the relationship between
    these two passages?
    a. specific : general
    b.argument : support
    c. fiction : nonfiction
    d.first : second
    e.cause : effect

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