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 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.
Based on the details in the excerpt, which generalization can be made about Hester and William as parents?
- A. They are strict and avoid pampering their sons.
- B. They are confident about the future for their sons.
- C. They are respected as role models by their sons.
- D. They are demanding and intentionally overwork their sons.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Hester and William demonstrate a parenting style that emphasizes discipline and structure, suggesting they are strict and avoid pampering their sons. This is evident in their expectations and the manner in which they guide their children. Option B is incorrect as the excerpt does not provide evidence of their confidence regarding their sons' futures. Option C lacks support, as respect from children often stems from positive reinforcement, which is not indicated here. Option D misrepresents their approach; while they may have high expectations, the term "overwork" implies a negative, excessive pressure that is not supported by the details in the excerpt.
Hester and William demonstrate a parenting style that emphasizes discipline and structure, suggesting they are strict and avoid pampering their sons. This is evident in their expectations and the manner in which they guide their children. Option B is incorrect as the excerpt does not provide evidence of their confidence regarding their sons' futures. Option C lacks support, as respect from children often stems from positive reinforcement, which is not indicated here. Option D misrepresents their approach; while they may have high expectations, the term "overwork" implies a negative, excessive pressure that is not supported by the details in the excerpt.
A slight breeze at this moment sprang up, and the great sails began to move, seeing which Don Quixote exclaimed, 'Though ye flourish more arms than the giant Briareus, ye have to reckon with me.' According to Greek legend, Briareus was a giant with a hundred arms and fifty heads who helped the gods in battles against foes. How does the author's comparison of the windmills to mythological giant function in the excerpt?
- A. The comparison advances the author's perspective about the dangers involved in acting before considering the consequences
- B. The comparison supports the author's characterization of Don Quixote as brave but misguided.
- C. The comparison advances the author's view that helping someone in need is an indication of true friendship.
- D. The comparison supports the author's purpose of showing the foolishness of Don Quixote for attacking windmills
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The comparison to Briareus highlights Don Quixote's bravery and misguided perception of reality. By equating the windmills to a formidable giant, the author emphasizes Don Quixote's noble intentions but also his delusions, showcasing his valor in the face of imaginary threats. Option A misinterprets the focus on bravery, as the excerpt centers more on Don Quixote's misconceptions than on the consequences of actions. Option C is irrelevant, as the passage does not address friendship or helping others. Option D, while touching on foolishness, overlooks the deeper characterization of Don Quixote's courage amidst his folly.
The comparison to Briareus highlights Don Quixote's bravery and misguided perception of reality. By equating the windmills to a formidable giant, the author emphasizes Don Quixote's noble intentions but also his delusions, showcasing his valor in the face of imaginary threats. Option A misinterprets the focus on bravery, as the excerpt centers more on Don Quixote's misconceptions than on the consequences of actions. Option C is irrelevant, as the passage does not address friendship or helping others. Option D, while touching on foolishness, overlooks the deeper characterization of Don Quixote's courage amidst his folly.
Which underlying premise is the main basis for the argument presented in the email to the zoning commissioner?
- A. Neighborhood committees are vital to protecting local businesses.
- B. Superstores upset the preferred lifestyle of certain communities.
- C. Small communities are threatened by the existence of large superstores.
- D. Local businesses are unable to adapt quickly to change.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The argument in the email centers on the impact of superstores on community lifestyles, making option B the strongest premise. It highlights concerns about how superstores disrupt the established way of life in certain neighborhoods, which is a key focus of the argument. Option A, while relevant to local business interests, does not directly address the core issue of lifestyle disruption. Option C suggests a threat to small communities, but it lacks the specificity regarding lifestyle preferences that option B provides. Option D implies a broader economic concern but does not capture the essence of community lifestyle preservation central to the argument.
The argument in the email centers on the impact of superstores on community lifestyles, making option B the strongest premise. It highlights concerns about how superstores disrupt the established way of life in certain neighborhoods, which is a key focus of the argument. Option A, while relevant to local business interests, does not directly address the core issue of lifestyle disruption. Option C suggests a threat to small communities, but it lacks the specificity regarding lifestyle preferences that option B provides. Option D implies a broader economic concern but does not capture the essence of community lifestyle preservation central to the argument.