501 Critical Reading Questions

d.
The passage mentions that Ozzy Osbourne is often called the
Father of Heavy Metal, but gives no other information 
about him.
317.
c.
The first paragraph 
introduces
the topic of the passage, the musi-
cal traditions of colonial New Mexico. Choices 
a
and
d
are too
narrow, and choice 
b
is too broad. Choice 
e
is the purpose of
the entire passage, not the first paragraph alone.
501
Critical Reading Questions

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318.
d.
Singular
means of or relating to a single instance, or something
considered by itself. Although 
strange
and 
superior
can be syn-
onyms for 
singular
, the author emphasizes throughout the pas-
sage that the music is 
unique. Unusual
is closest in meaning to
unique. Also, note that in the next sentence the author states
that the 
bailes
had 
unusual
melodic structures and the players
had 
unique
methods of bowing and tuning their instruments.
319.
d.
The passage does not explicitly state that European culture was
imposed
on native traditions. Rather, it states that the cultures
mixed to give rise to the music.
320.
c.
The passage clearly states that both ceremonies used impro-
vised verses. The New Year’s celebration included 
improvised
couplets, composed on the spot
(lines 40–41) and the 
verses of the song
[of the wedding ceremony], played to a lively waltz, were improvised
(lines 48–49). Each of the other choices is true for one of the
ceremonies but not both.
321.
a.
The sentence following the first mention of the ceremony states
its purpose: 
the community would gather to sanction the new couple
(lines 46–47). It is stated that the guests file past to 
bless
the cou-
ple (line 42). Choices