Vocabulary
When John saw his report card, he was excited because he had all As and an A- in Biology; but when his fastidious mother saw his report card, she shook her head in disappointment.
having high and often capricious standards : difficult to please
[19] Read this quotation from paragraph 17 of the excerpt from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank.
I thought, this is a kind of love; and, as in love, my senses amplified and enhanced the love object, all with an insouciance and willing enthusiasm.
Why does the narrator use a metaphor to describe his response to playing the piano?
A) To explain how he is able to remember a piece of music
B) To show how sharing music increases enjoyment
C) To suggest that owning a piano can spark enthusiasm
D) To reveal the depth of his feelings towards the piano
D) To reveal the depth of his feelings towards the piano
[28] Which quotation best shows that the author of the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues” is relieved someone wants his old piano?
A) The song had gone from major to minor, but we pressed on. (paragraph 4)
B) Then the song shifted to the saddest of blues. (paragraph 4)
C) But like many a blues song, this piano riff ends with hope. (paragraph 6)
D)And to be sure, many older pianos have reached their coda. (paragraph 7)
C) But like many a blues song, this piano riff ends with hope. (paragraph 6)
What annotation strategy can you apply to paired passages?
Three-column t-chart / Venn Diagram
Use "The Piano Shop on the Left Bank" --
[25] Read this quotation from paragraph 1 of the excerpt from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank.
I was nervous, almost spellbound; suddenly this great impractical hulk was the gateway to a territory from which I had been absent for too long. Something said “Yes!” before I even touched the keyboard.
What is the narrator’s purpose for including this description?
A) To explain where he is shopping for a piano
B) To highlight his doubts about wanting a piano
C) To show how he exaggerates when describing events
D) To reveal the strength of his desire to play the piano again
D) To reveal the strength of his desire to play the piano again
After weeks of avoiding him, Annie finally found the courage to tell David that she wasn't interested in him; and even though David was heart-broken, he appreciated her candor.
unreserved, honest, or sincere expression : FORTHRIGHTNESS
In paragraph 8 of the excerpt from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank, Luc suggests that the narrator —
A) trust his ability to make decisions
B) reflect on the commitment of buying a piano
C) be willing to consider other pianos
D) think about playing different instruments
B) reflect on the co
[31] In the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues,” what is the primary purpose of paragraph 7?
A) To explain why letting go of pianos is acceptable at times
B) To state the reasons why pianos are still important
C) To detail the life cycle of pianos
D) To describe pianos in a historical context
A) To explain why letting go of pianos is acceptable at times
[34] In the excerpt from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank and the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues,” with which statement would both authors most likely agree?
A) Old pianos offer a great deal of emotional value to their owners.
B) Old pianos are constructed from better materials than new pianos.
C) People can learn a lot about the history of pianos from musicians.
D) People should learn to play on an acoustic piano before moving to a digital one.
A) Old pianos offer a great deal of emotional value to their owners.
[24] In paragraph 1 of the excerpt from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank, why does the narrator describe the piano as “a strange and wonderful combination of the robust and the delicate”?
A) To explain why he feels this particular piano is special
B) To reveal that he needs a piano that is not too fragile or ornate
C) To state why he is physically able to play this particular piano
D) To suggest that he prefers a piano that won’t require much upkeep
A) To explain why he feels this particular piano is special
[30] Read this dictionary entry.
boom \'büm\ n 1. a deep hollow sound 2. a rapid increase in activity 3. a long pole for holding a microphone 4. a barrier to obstruct navigation
Which definition most closely matches the meaning of boom as it is used in paragraph 4 of the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues”?
A) Definition 1
B) Definition 2
C) Definition 3
D) Definition 4
B) Definition 2
[23] In paragraph 17 of the excerpt from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank, how does the narrator feel about playing the Stingl piano in the piano shop?
A) He needs Luc to help him build confidence in his musical ability.
B) He hopes Luc will believe that he is worthy of the Stingl.
C) He feels oddly comfortable playing in front of Luc.
D) He enjoys showing Luc that he can play different types of music.
C) He feels oddly comfortable playing in front of Luc.
[29] What is the purpose of the information in the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues”?
A) To explain why traditional pianos have greatly declined in value
B) To describe the differences between old pianos and new ones
C) To prove that pianos made in the last century are irreplaceable
D) To inform people about new American trends with musical instruments
A) To explain why traditional pianos have greatly declined in value
[35] While the narrator of the excerpt from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank finds an old Stingl valuable enough for him to spend a lot of money on it, the author of the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues” —
A) expects to sell an old Steinway for a high price
B) insists on donating his old piano to a school
C) gives an old Steinway to someone who wants it
D) thinks old pianos should be destroyed
C) gives an old Steinway to someone who wants it
(1) Since the mid-1800s the United States has been struggling with the question of whether or not to adopt the metric system. (2) The country was one of seventeen nations that signed the 1875 Treaty of the Metre, which increased the accuracy of the metric system and established the International Bureau of weights and measures. (3) However, despite this early involvement, the United States has been reluctant to adopt the metric system as its only standard of measurement.
[15] What change should be made in sentence 2?
A) Change signed to signs
B) Change Metre to metre
C) Change which to this
D) Change weights and measures to Weights and Measures
D) Change weights and measures to Weights and Measures
[27] Read this quotation from paragraph 2 of the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues.”
Then a slow, downward sales arpeggio started.
What does the author’s use of musical terminology convey in the quotation?
A) How the popularity of the piano has shifted like notes in a song
B) How piano dealers use musical language when they speak
C) How piano tones affect the price of the instruments
D) How piano music will persist despite its decrease in popularity
A) How the popularity of the piano has shifted like notes in a song
[22] Read this quotation from paragraph 16 of the excerpt from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank.
“Think of it as an investment in personal expression.”
What can the reader infer about the narrator’s wife based on her words?
A) The wife believes it is more important to invest in the arts than in other things.
B) The wife does not believe people should deny themselves things that they want.
C) The wife views the piano as an attractive addition to their living room.
D) The wife sees music as a necessary outlet for her husband’s creativity.
D) The wife sees music as a necessary outlet for her husband’s creativity.
[26] In the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues,” how does the author mainly organize his ideas?
A) He lists the benefits of owning a piano by referencing a magazine article about musical instruments.
B) He supports people learning to play the piano with stories from students who enjoy the instrument.
C) He argues against getting rid of old pianos by explaining how important they once were.
D) He discusses trends in piano ownership by describing his experience trying to get rid of an old piano.
D) He discusses trends in piano ownership by describing his experience trying to get rid of an old piano.
[36] What is one notable difference between the two excerpts?
A) The selection from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank explains why someone wants to play piano, while the selection from the article “Those Old Piano Blues” explains why piano lessons are less popular.
B) The selection from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank describes evaluating and buying an old piano, while the selection from the article “Those Old Piano Blues” describes an abundance of unwanted old pianos.
C) The selection from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank emphasizes the craftsmanship of a new acoustic piano, while the selection from the article “Those Old Piano Blues” emphasizes today’s preference for digital pianos.
D) The selection from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank shows how rare it is for someone to appreciate an old piano, while the selection from the article “Those Old Piano Blues” shows how people overvalue all musical instruments.
B) The selection from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank describes evaluating and buying an old piano, while the selection from the article “Those Old Piano Blues” describes an abundance of unwanted old pianos.
(25) Although change takes time, the conversion to the metric system will be worth it in the long run. (26) While “thinking in metric” won’t happen instantaneously, the simplicity of the metric system will make the transition easier. (27) Once the United States has made the change, its citizens will become accustomed to the metric system, just as they have become familiar with using new technologies, such as computers, cell phones, and the internet. (28) Best of all, they will be using the same system as 95 percent of the world, in turn it will contribute to safety, facilitate trade, and improve international communication.
[18] What is the correct way to write sentence 28?
A) Best of all, they will be using the same system as 95 percent of the rest of the world, in turn this will contribute to safety, facilitate trade, and improve international communication.
B) Best of all, they will be using the same system as 95 percent of the rest of the world; in turn contributes to safety, facilitate trade, and improve international communication.
C) Best of all, they will be using the same system as 95 percent of the rest of the world, which in turn will contribute to safety, facilitate trade, and improve international communication.
D) Best of all, they will be using the same system as 95 percent of the rest of the world. In turn will contribute to safety, facilitate trade, and improve international communication.
C) Best of all, they will be using the same system as 95 percent of the rest of the world, which in turn will contribute to safety, facilitate trade, and improve international communication.
[32] Which word from the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues” means “an approximate amount”?
A) peak (paragraph 1)
B) substantial (paragraph 3)
C) roughly (paragraph 4)
D) treacherous (paragraph 5)
C) roughly (paragraph 4)
[21] In paragraph 1 of the excerpt from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank, which idea is introduced?
A) The power of intuition
B) An unachieved goal
C) Impractical choices
D) The wisdom of experience
A) The power of intuition
[33] Which is the best summary of the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues”?
A) Many families in America once owned acoustic pianos, but there are now fewer families who want them. In fact, if you have an old piano, it can be very hard to sell it or find someone who wants it. That’s why there are companies now offering to pick up old pianos. It is sad these instruments were once prized but have little value today, unless someone is willing to restore them to their original working condition.
B) Although acoustic pianos were once a popular item in American life, many are now being disposed of or recycled for parts. Changes in American entertainment, as well as the space and upkeep required to own an acoustic piano, have led people to pursue other interests or purchase less expensive digital pianos. However, the number of Americans learning to play the piano has not changed, which shows that the instrument is still appreciated.
C) Many families in America still own pianos but many of them are now digital pianos. People who own old acoustic pianos still feel sentimental about them and believe they are worth a lot of money. However, the people who make money from pianos are the ones that know how to remove or recycle them.
D) Today, Americans are learning to play piano as adults, and they often go to piano studios in cities like Los Angeles and New York. Piano playing was popular in the 20th century and still is. Pianos used to be an important part of family entertainment, but other instruments have taken their place. Today, old acoustic pianos are stored in warehouses because they take up too much room in houses.
B) Although acoustic pianos were once a popular item in American life, many are now being disposed of or recycled for parts. Changes in American entertainment, as well as the space and upkeep required to own an acoustic piano, have led people to pursue other interests or purchase less expensive digital pianos. However, the number of Americans learning to play the piano has not changed, which shows that the instrument is still appreciated.
[37] What feeling is conveyed by both the excerpt from The Piano Shop on the Left Bank and the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues”?
A) Amusement
B) Ambition
C) Attachment
D) Awe
C) Attachment
(17) Many U.S. manufacturers have had positive experiences in changing to metric. (18) For instance, Procter & Gamble created a metric diaper manufacturing machine and found that it cost less than previous machines, was able to function 25 percent faster, and was easier to repair and maintain. (19) Another example is Caterpillar, Inc., which decided to go metric in the United States in order to avoid problems with measurement conversion for its plants in other countries. (20) The company found that being consistently metric made its products more popular worldwide and reduced production costs.
(21) Those hesitant about the switch might complain that instead of the familiar miles, feet, and ounces, the metric system uses different units, a meter measures length, a gram measures mass, and a liter measures volume. (22) The metric system is easy to learn, however, because everything is measured in multiples of ten. (23) For example, a kilo equals 1,000, and thus 1,000 meters is called 1 kilometer. (24) If children were taught these simple calculations when they begin to study math, they would learn how easy the metric system is to use.
[17] What change, if any, should be made in sentence 21?
A) Delete the comma after ounces
B) Change uses to used
C) Change the comma after units to a colon
D) Make no change
C) Change the comma after units to a colon