Act Reading Passage 1

Which of the following statements best expresses the main idea of the passage?

• Armstrong was an exceedingly gifted musician whose emotional range was nonetheless somewhat narrow.
• One of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time, Armstrong is best known for his soft and luminous tone.
• Armstrong has had a profound effect on music, one that  has been both wide ranging and long lasting.
• A pioneering jazz trumpeter and singer, Armstrong recorded numerous masterpieces in the mid to late 1920s.

Which of the following questions is NOT answered in the passage?

• In terms of Western music history, what was so radical about Armstrong’s playing and singing?
• What aspect of Armstrong’s music brought the role of the jazz soloist to the fore? 
• What style of jazz singing did Armstrong popularize? 
• Which of Armstrong’s recorded masterpieces most changed American music? 

The passage suggests that Armstrong’s most important contribution to jazz was his:

• musical conquest of Europe
• emphasis on improvisation.
• work with King Oliver.
• invention of the blues sound.

The main function of the second paragraph (lines 20–29) is to:

• identify some of Armstrong’s mentors, such as King Oliver. 
• list some of the early events in Armstrong’s developing career. 
• contrast Armstrong’s opinions of King Oliver and Fletcher Henderson.
• describe the musical style Armstrong developed jointly with Fletcher Henderson. 

All of the following details are used in the passage to demonstrate Armstrong’s endurance as a young musician EXCEPT that he:

• would be the featured soloist on almost every piece in a show. 
• ended shows with a long series of high notes. 
• once managed to play for an entire night.
• could play five shows a day.

The last paragraph establishes all of the following about Armstrong EXCEPT:

• his strong desire to reshape American music.
• his cheerful demeanor and sense of mission.
• the range of influences on his music.
• the range of influences on his music.

One of the main points in the last paragraph is that through his music, Armstrong attempted to promote in his listeners a sense of:

• awe.
• determination.
• pleasure.
• graditude

According to the passage, which of the following cities is the last one Armstrong is said to have lived in?

• New Orleans
• New York
• Chicago
• Paris

The author most likely includes the information in lines 53–57 to suggest:

• Armstrong’s highly developed skill.
• Armstrong’s unease with orchestral music.
• that Armstrong used an unusual trumpet.
• that Armstrong invented the glissando.

Which of the following words best describes how the orchestra referred to in the fifth paragraph (lines 58–71) is said to have started to swing?

• Reluctantly G. Intentionally H. Unconsciously
• Intentionally
• Unconsciously 
• Optimistically