Yo-Yo Ma: Connecting the World Through Music

19 The information about Ma’s childhood is important to the selection because it shows that —

• A Ma can appreciate the accomplishments of other musicians

• B Ma wanted to be as talented as the rest of his family members were

• C Ma developed his musical talent at an especially young age

• D Ma wants people who enjoy his music to relate to his personal experiences

20 In paragraph 6, the word agile describes movement that is —

• F made with much effort

• G new and uncertain

• H learned over time

• J quick and natural

21 Ma named his program the “Silk Road Project” most likely because he —

• A believes music has the power to bring different people together

• B wishes he had more opportunities to visit his homeland

• C is interested in trading instruments with people in other countries

• D travels many miles between concert events

22 Read these sentences from paragraph 2. “My last name is Ma,” he replies with a smile. “Ma means horse, and Yo means friend. So am I a friendly horse?”

The author included this quotation most likely to highlight Ma’s —

• F popularity

• G sense of humor

• H accomplishments

• J great talent

23 What is an important message presented in this selection?

• A Music can have a strong impact on people.

• B A person’s interests can change over time.

• C Achieving childhood dreams requires a plan.

• D Listening to music can be a relaxing activity.

24 Which sentence from the selection best conveys the author’s admiration for Ma’s accomplishments?

• F He loved his new life and played the cello all the time.

• G He has also been a guest on children’s shows like Sesame Street and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.

• H Ma has established Silk Road programs in schools around the nation.

• J Ma’s many contributions to the arts clearly mark him as a very good musician indeed.

25 The sensory language in paragraph 1 helps the reader imagine —

• A what it is like to attend one of Ma’s concerts

• B what Ma’s cello and bow look like

• C how Ma feels when he is performing for an audience

• D why Ma has played his cello at so many concerts