THE HEINEMANN TOEFL COURSE PRACTICE TEST 5 READING PART 5 (Questions 43-50)

THE HEINEMANN TOEFL COURSE

PRACTICE TEST 5

READING

PART 5 (Questions 43-50)

line 5 Generally recognized as one of the significant musical artists of this century, Aaron Copland succeeded so well in assimilating the materials of American folksong into his own highly personal style that, in the eyes of the world, he came to be regarded as "the" American composer of his time. The son of a Russian-Jewish immigrant to America, Copland was born on line 10 November 14, 1900, in Brooklyn. By the time he was 15, he had decided to become a composer. In 1921 he went to France, where he became the student of Nadia Boulanger, a brilliant teacher who shaped the outlook of an entire generation of American musicians. In his growth as a composer, Copland mirrored the important trends of his time. line 15 After his return from Paris, he worked with jazz rhythms. There followed a period during which he was strongly influenced by Stravinski's Neoclassicism, turning toward an abstract style. In 1935, however, Copland took a change of direction that began the most productive phase of his career. He realized that a new public for modem music was being created by the new media of radio, phonograph, and line 20 film scores. Copland was therefore led to what became a most significant development after the 1930s: the attempt to simplify the new music in order for it to have meaning for a large public. The decades that followed saw the production of the scores that spread Copland's fame throughout the United States and the world. Notable among these line 25 were three ballets based on American folk material, an orchestral piece based on Mexican melodies and rhythms, and a series of film scores. Typical too of the Copland style are two major works that were written in time of war—both drawing on the life and speeches of Abraham Lincoln for their inspiration. In his later years Copland refined his treatment of Americana. "I no longer feel the need of seeking out conscious Americanism. Because we live here and work here, we can be certain that when our music is mature it will also be American in quality." As composer, teacher, and conductor, Copland has succeeded in expressing "the deepest reactions of the American consciousness to the American scene." 43 According to the passage, Copland is mostly famous for A the range of types of compositions he produced the treatment of American topics in his music his study with the famous French teacher, Nadia Boulanger his ability as a conductor B C D 44 The word "assimilating" in line 2 is closest in meaning to A combining referring avoiding assigning B C D 45 All of the following are mentioned in the passage as types of compositions Copland produced EXCEPT A concertos film scores ballets operas B C D 46 Which of the following did the author cite as having a major influence on the most productive phase of Copland's career? A His work with the French teacher, Nadia Boulanger The realization of a new public created by new media       Stravinski's Neoclassicism The war B C D 47 The word "mirrored" in line 10 is closest in meaning to A represented denied understood investigated B C D 48 According to the passage, in the decade after 1935 Copland's compositions became A more abstract more complex more refined more simplified B C D 49 In line 20 the word "these" refers to A three ballets the scores the decades the United States B C D
	50	With which of the following generalizations can it be inferred that Copland would agree?
		A	American composers must consciously work with American topics. Only mature composers can produce American music. American composers will surely produce music reflective of America. American folk material has little place in American music.
		B
		C
		D

ANSWER KEY

43. B   The correct answer (B) is found in lines 2-4:Aaron Copland succeeded so well in assimilating the materials of American folksong into his own highly personal style that, in the eyes of the world, he came to be regarded as "the" American composer of his time. (A), (B), and (C) are facts about Copland that are less important than his work with American themes in his music. 44. A   The meaning of the word "assimilating" can be inferred from the immediate context of the sentence,... Aaron Copland succeeded so well in assimilating the materials of American folksong into his own highly personal style that... he came to be regarded as the American composer of his time (lines 2-4). Copland had bis own personal style, but he included American folksong materials into this style so well that he gained fame. It can be inferred from this context that "assimilating" is similar to including or combining. Therefore, answer choice (A) is correct. 45. D   The correct answer (D) can be arrived at by noting that the other answer choices are mentioned in the passage: (A) in lines 21-22; (B) in line 2; and (C) in fine 21. 46. B   The correct answer (B) is found  in lines 14-16 in which the most productive phase of Copland's career is due to the fact that He realized that a new public for modem music was being created by the new media of radio, phonograph, and film scores. 47. A   The meaning of the word "mirrored" is found in the third paragraph, in which the musical life of the composer, Copland, is described. Key words and phrases which point out the trends of his time (line 10) that Copland "mirrored" are:... strongly influenced by Stravinski's neoclassicism, turning toward an abstract style (lines 12-13); In 1935... change of direction... new public for modem music ... new media of radio ... (lines 13-14); and, Copland was therefore led to .. .the attempt to simplify the new music in order that it would have meaning for a large public (lines 16-18). It can be inferred that in this context "mirrored" means represented, which is answer choice (A). 48. D   The correct answer is (D) is found in lines 16-18: Copland was therefore led to what became a most significant development after the 1930s; the attempt to simplify the new music in order that it would have meaning for a large public. 49. B   The correct answer is (B) because in the context of the sentence "these" followed by were must refer to a musical work: Lines 20-22 Notable among these were three ballets ... an orchestral piece ..., and a series of film scores. In the context preceding "these," the scores is the only possible referent. 50. C   The correct answer (C) is found in Copland's quotation in lines 26-28: Because we live here and work here, we can be certain that when our music is mature it will also be American in quality. This is best restated as (C) American composers will surely produce music reflective of America.