Origin Story

Ancient Instruments

100

 Name the ancient instrument mentioned that dates back about four thousand years and resembles a modern guitar.

tanbur

200

 Which instrument brought by Muslims to Spain influenced the development of the Spanish guitarra?

 oud

300

What word describes the early instruments that are the oldest ancestors of the modern guitar (they have strings and were used to play music)?

stringed instruments

400

According to the text, where do ancient wall paintings show people playing tanburs together?

 in ancient Egyptian wall paintings (or Egypt)

500

Besides the tanbur and the oud, give one reason the text implies these early instruments are considered ancestors of the modern guitar.

 because they share strings, necks, and bodies that evolved into modern guitar.

Instrument Features

100

What three physical features of the Egyptian tanbur are described in the passage?  

long straight neck, pear-shaped body, strings across a soundboard

200

 How did the oud differ from the tanbur in shape?

oud was shorter and rounder

300

• The tanbur had strings across a soundboard. What is the primary purpose of a soundboard on a stringed instrument (based on the passage’s context about making music)?

to amplify and produce sound for the strings

400

The passage notes strings were made from animal guts in ancient times. Name two animals mentioned whose guts were used.

cats and cows

500

 Explain how the physical changes from tanbur → oud → guitarra demonstrate the concept of gradual instrument evolution

 The tanbur’s long neck and pear shape became shorter and rounder in the oud, then evolved into the guitarra’s shape—showing gradual physical changes over time

Timeline and Origins

100

Which instrument in the passage is called the earliest ancestor of the modern guitar?

Spanish guitarra

200

Approximately how many years old are the ancient Egyptian paintings that show people playing tanburs?

more than 3,500 years old (about 3,500–4,000)

300

 Place these in chronological order according to the passage: Spanish guitarra appears, Egyptian tanbur exists, Muslims bring the oud to Spain.

 tanbur → oud brought to Spain → Spanish guitarra appears

400

The passage refers to a "18th century engraving" and "13th century illumination." Which of these two sources is older?

 the 13th-century illumination is older than a 18th-century engraving note

500

 According to the passage, after the guitarra spread to France, England, and Germany, what happened to the instrument over the years?

 it changed many times over the years and continued to spread around the world.