Excerpt from The Musician's Daughter
by Susanne Dunlap
I thought a lot, at the beginning, about my father playing the violin. I still remember the first time I ever saw a concert. I was very small, and we had just come to Esterhaza, a magnificent palace in Sopron, Hungary, when the prince's household moved there from his winter palace, at Eisenstadt, near Vienna. I think it may have been the first concert Papa took part in there. I had a new dress for the occasion, and Mama looked beautiful. I don't think Toby was born yet, or if he was, he was a small baby and stayed in our rooms with a nurse.
The palace at Esterháza was so new that it still smelled of raw wood and paint. The rooms were very grand. I had never seen so many candles in one place before. And they were expensive wax candles, not foul-smelling tallow. We stood to the side to watch the fine ladies enter. I thought they looked like dolls; their faces were so perfect. Later my mother told me that they painted them with white lead to make their skin artificially smooth and pale, and then rubbed rouge into their cheeks and lips, and drew lines of charcoal around their eyes so they would appear larger. And the headdresses-in those days the fashion was to have hair that towered up, stuck into place with diamond combs, with ribbons and pearls festooned around. And no matter what color it was naturally, ladies powdered their hair to snowy whiteness, so that the light of the candies was magnified by the glow from the people themselves.
And the men, too, were powdered and patched. Their gold buttons and lace were almost as gaudy as the ladies' finery. But the enormous panniers that held the ladies' skirts out to the side so far that they had to move sideways through doorways fascinated me most of all. I could barely be persuaded to turn my eyes to the orchestra when the concert started.
We were not seated with the guests. In fact, I think we were tucked away in an anteroom. The door was open so we could see through, and everyone pushed me forward to let me watch my father, who looked up now and again from the music and gave me a quick smile. The candlelight danced over the rich wood of his violin, the beautiful Italian instrument, an old Amati, that my grandfather had given him. Kapellmeister Haydn-who was also my godfather-sat at the harpsichord, smiling broadly all the time, waving one hand in the air to direct, then putting it back on the keys and instead using his head, bobbing and nodding to bring the winds in, or to indicate the entrance for the cellos. He looked like the music, 1 remember thinking. I wish I could bring that particular sound to my mind, but it has since blended with countless, other concert. I’ll always remember what it looked like, though. The light shimmering glow of everything and everyone.
What is one theme of this excerpt?
- A. Wealth is not always determined by money.
- B. Early music education builds character.
- C. Personal appearances do not always indicate worth.
- D. Early memories are enduring.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The theme of enduring early memories highlights how formative experiences shape our identities and perceptions throughout life. This notion resonates with many, as childhood memories often leave lasting impressions. Option A, while insightful, suggests a focus on wealth, which is not the primary theme. Option B addresses music education, which may be relevant but does not capture the essence of memory. Option C discusses appearances and worth, diverging from the central idea of memory's lasting impact. Thus, the emphasis on early memories aligns most closely with the excerpt’s theme.
The theme of enduring early memories highlights how formative experiences shape our identities and perceptions throughout life. This notion resonates with many, as childhood memories often leave lasting impressions. Option A, while insightful, suggests a focus on wealth, which is not the primary theme. Option B addresses music education, which may be relevant but does not capture the essence of memory. Option C discusses appearances and worth, diverging from the central idea of memory's lasting impact. Thus, the emphasis on early memories aligns most closely with the excerpt’s theme.
Other Related Questions
What challenge does Burl face?
- A. the isolation in his work
- B. how to improve his health
- C. how to manage his time
- D. the survival of the hives
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Burl's primary challenge revolves around the survival of the hives, which is crucial for his beekeeping livelihood. This concern encompasses factors such as environmental threats and colony health, directly impacting his work. Option A, the isolation in his work, might be a factor but does not capture the central issue affecting his beekeeping. Option B, improving health, while important, is not Burl's main focus in the context of his responsibilities. Option C, managing time, is relevant but secondary to the urgent matter of hive survival, which ultimately determines the success of his beekeeping efforts.
Burl's primary challenge revolves around the survival of the hives, which is crucial for his beekeeping livelihood. This concern encompasses factors such as environmental threats and colony health, directly impacting his work. Option A, the isolation in his work, might be a factor but does not capture the central issue affecting his beekeeping. Option B, improving health, while important, is not Burl's main focus in the context of his responsibilities. Option C, managing time, is relevant but secondary to the urgent matter of hive survival, which ultimately determines the success of his beekeeping efforts.
What information does the author provide about wave-capturing devices in both the chart and the article?
- A. how they are made and which countries utilize them
- B. where they are located and how they work
- C. who makes them and for what purpose
- D. how much electricity they generate and where they are positioned
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The author emphasizes the functionality and geographical placement of wave-capturing devices, detailing how they operate and where they are situated. This focus helps readers understand the practical application and effectiveness of these devices in harnessing wave energy. Option A incorrectly suggests a focus on manufacturing processes and specific countries, which is not the primary emphasis. Option C misrepresents the content by implying a focus on the creators and their intentions rather than the devices' mechanics and locations. Option D, while mentioning electricity generation, overlooks the essential aspect of how these devices function and their specific locations, making it less comprehensive.
The author emphasizes the functionality and geographical placement of wave-capturing devices, detailing how they operate and where they are situated. This focus helps readers understand the practical application and effectiveness of these devices in harnessing wave energy. Option A incorrectly suggests a focus on manufacturing processes and specific countries, which is not the primary emphasis. Option C misrepresents the content by implying a focus on the creators and their intentions rather than the devices' mechanics and locations. Option D, while mentioning electricity generation, overlooks the essential aspect of how these devices function and their specific locations, making it less comprehensive.
What is the impact of Sancho addressing Don Quixote as 'Your Worship' in paragraphs 4 and 9 of the excerpts?
- A. The reader understands Sancho's confidence in Don Quixote.
- B. The reader understands Sancho's disdain for Don Quixote.
- C. The reader understands Sancho's subservience to Don Quixote.
- D. The reader understands Sancho's worry about Don Quixote.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Sancho addressing Don Quixote as "Your Worship" highlights his subservience and respect for Don Quixote's self-appointed status as a noble knight. This term of address indicates Sancho's acknowledgment of Don Quixote's authority and his role as a squire, reinforcing the power dynamics in their relationship. Option A misinterprets the term as a sign of confidence; instead, it reflects Sancho's deference. Option B suggests disdain, which contradicts the respectful tone implied by "Your Worship." Option D implies worry, but the phrase primarily conveys respect rather than concern, making it less relevant in this context.
Sancho addressing Don Quixote as "Your Worship" highlights his subservience and respect for Don Quixote's self-appointed status as a noble knight. This term of address indicates Sancho's acknowledgment of Don Quixote's authority and his role as a squire, reinforcing the power dynamics in their relationship. Option A misinterprets the term as a sign of confidence; instead, it reflects Sancho's deference. Option B suggests disdain, which contradicts the respectful tone implied by "Your Worship." Option D implies worry, but the phrase primarily conveys respect rather than concern, making it less relevant in this context.
What influenced the Gregory brothers' decision to include an exotic animal farm at their facility?
- A. the location of their property in a rural area
- B. a high expectation for a successful business
- C. the search for an appropriate boundary fence
- D. a desire to please the environmentalists
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The inclusion of an exotic animal farm is closely linked to the need for a suitable boundary fence to ensure the safety and containment of the animals. Without proper fencing, managing exotic animals poses significant risks. Option A, while highlighting the rural setting, does not directly relate to the specific needs of exotic animal care. Option B focuses on business expectations, which may influence decisions but does not address the practical requirements of animal management. Option D suggests appeasing environmentalists, yet this motivation is less relevant than the immediate necessity of securing the animals' habitat through effective fencing.
The inclusion of an exotic animal farm is closely linked to the need for a suitable boundary fence to ensure the safety and containment of the animals. Without proper fencing, managing exotic animals poses significant risks. Option A, while highlighting the rural setting, does not directly relate to the specific needs of exotic animal care. Option B focuses on business expectations, which may influence decisions but does not address the practical requirements of animal management. Option D suggests appeasing environmentalists, yet this motivation is less relevant than the immediate necessity of securing the animals' habitat through effective fencing.