16Hit1600
Craft and StructureVery hardStructure of a passage that reverses a judgement

Craft and Structure practice question

The first reviews of the symphony called it noisy and shapeless, and the composer never heard it praised in his lifetime. Sixty years later a young conductor, finding the score in a library, played it exactly as written, at the fast tempos the first performers had refused. It was not shapeless; it had been played too slowly to hear its shape. The piece is now performed every season, and the first reviewers are remembered only for having been wrong.

Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?

  1. A. It reports an early judgement, describes the event that overturned it, explains why the judgement was mistaken, and notes the outcome.Correct
  2. B. It describes the symphony's four movements.
  3. C. It argues that reviewers should be ignored.
  4. D. It compares two composers.

Answer: A. It reports an early judgement, describes the event that overturned it, explains why the judgement was mistaken, and notes the outcome.

Judgement, rediscovery, explanation, outcome.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. It describes the symphony's four movements.
No movements.
C. It argues that reviewers should be ignored.
One case, no general argument.
D. It compares two composers.
One composer.

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