RI 8.3

Before the battles between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray today, the video industry had a battle between home video tapes. VHS and Betamax were the main rivals in the home video market. Both offered similar video resolution and tape size. What separated VHS from Betamax was affordability. Betamax tapes and machines cost more, and Betamax tapes could only record and playback up to 60 minutes' worth of content. VHS tapes and VCRs were inexpensive, with VHS tapes containing 240 minutes of content. Just as George Westinghouse's cheaper and higher voltage alternating current power stations bested Thomas Edison's direct current, VHS' ability to meet consumer demands made it the top choice in home video formats.

How does the author’s use of descriptions to distinguish between VHS and Betamax convey the outcome of the format wars?

• It demonstrates that consumers are fickle and can't decide which to buy.

• It demonstrates how both products were very similar.

• It demonstrates that other formats were superior.

• It demonstrates how a superior product leads to wider use by consumers.

Before the battles between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray today, the video industry had a battle between home video tapes. VHS and Betamax were the main rivals in the home video market. Both offered similar video resolution and tape size. What separated VHS from Betamax was affordability. Betamax tapes and machines cost more, and Betamax tapes could only record and playback up to 60 minutes' worth of content. VHS tapes and VCRs were inexpensive, with VHS tapes containing 240 minutes of content. Just as George Westinghouse's cheaper and higher voltage alternating current power stations bested Thomas Edison's direct current, VHS' ability to meet consumer demands made it the top choice in home video formats.

How does the author's comparison between alternating and direct currents along with the the battle between home video formats convey how one format can emerge over many others?

• It demonstrates that the bigger something is, the more people desire it.

• It demonstrates how home video needs electricity in order to operate properly.

• It demonstrates that qualities such as affordability and more capacity are what consumers desire.

• It demonstrates that businesses dictate which products are widely adopted by consumers.

Art Deco and Pop Art

Art movements are trends in art style that follow a certain idea or philosophy1. Art movements influence decorative art like interior design, fashion, and furniture, as well as architecture and painting.

Art Deco was an art movement that began in the 1920s and became very popular in the United States and Europe by the 1930s. This movement conveyed the grandness of the ''Roaring Twenties,'' a period of prosperity and scientific progress. It used geometric patterns, bold colors, and sleek, simple shapes. In the beginning, the Art Deco movement used expensive materials like silver, jade, and rock crystal to reflect the thriving economy. Artists like Tamara De Lempicka used bold colors and precise lines in her work. Later, when the economy experienced a slowdown, Art Deco designers used cheaper materials such as bakelite, the first plastic made entirely from artificial compounds, to create elegant and practical designs. This movement disappeared by the early 1940s because many people considered the art style gaudy.

In the 1950s, the Pop Art movement began in the United States and England. This movement conveyed the confidence of the "Swinging Sixties," a period of social freedom and modern ideas. Pop Art used images of ordinary objects, such as soup cans, as subjects for the paintings. The movement simplified fine art and appealed to everyone. Andy Warhol, a well-known artist of this era, painted ordinary objects in bright color schemes in his paintings. He also created paintings in comic book style. As the economy prospered, Pop Art designers used materials like plastic to create commercially successful products. By the 1960s, this art movement had reached its peak. This movement faded by the 1970s as the world experienced political unrest. This movement influenced the Neo-Pop art movement of the 1980s.

1. the most basic concepts or beliefs

How does the author's comparison of the materials used in each art movement convey how art movements were changing?

• The materials show how items the upper class enjoyed influenced the art made during each period.

• The materials show how the designers wanted to create art that appealed to all.

• The materials show how the shifting world economy influenced the designers.

• The materials show how scientific advancements and progress influenced the art made during each period.

Art Deco and Pop Art

Art movements are trends in art style that follow a certain idea or philosophy1. Art movements influence decorative art like interior design, fashion, and furniture, as well as architecture and painting.

Art Deco was an art movement that began in the 1920s and became very popular in the United States and Europe by the 1930s. This movement conveyed the grandness of the ''Roaring Twenties,'' a period of prosperity and scientific progress. It used geometric patterns, bold colors, and sleek, simple shapes. In the beginning, the Art Deco movement used expensive materials like silver, jade, and rock crystal to reflect the thriving economy. Artists like Tamara De Lempicka used bold colors and precise lines in her work. Later, when the economy experienced a slowdown, Art Deco designers used cheaper materials such as bakelite, the first plastic made entirely from artificial compounds, to create elegant and practical designs. This movement disappeared by the early 1940s because many people considered the art style gaudy.

In the 1950s, the Pop Art movement began in the United States and England. This movement conveyed the confidence of the "Swinging Sixties," a period of social freedom and modern ideas. Pop Art used images of ordinary objects, such as soup cans, as subjects for the paintings. The movement simplified fine art and appealed to everyone. Andy Warhol, a well-known artist of this era, painted ordinary objects in bright color schemes in his paintings. He also created paintings in comic book style. As the economy prospered, Pop Art designers used materials like plastic to create commercially successful products. By the 1960s, this art movement had reached its peak. This movement faded by the 1970s as the world experienced political unrest. This movement influenced the Neo-Pop art movement of the 1980s.

1. the most basic concepts or beliefs

How does the author's use of the phrase "Roaring Twenties" help to connect the ideas in the second paragraph?

• It emphasizes how the economic growth of that period led to the birth of Art Deco.

• It emphasizes the importance of art in the lives of people during that period.

• It describes the changes that occurred in the economy during that period.

• It highlights how Art Deco designers used a special material to create works of art.

Art Deco and Pop Art

Art movements are trends in art style that follow a certain idea or philosophy1. Art movements influence decorative art like interior design, fashion, and furniture, as well as architecture and painting.

Art Deco was an art movement that began in the 1920s and became very popular in the United States and Europe by the 1930s. This movement conveyed the grandness of the ''Roaring Twenties,'' a period of prosperity and scientific progress. It used geometric patterns, bold colors, and sleek, simple shapes. In the beginning, the Art Deco movement used expensive materials like silver, jade, and rock crystal to reflect the thriving economy. Artists like Tamara De Lempicka used bold colors and precise lines in her work. Later, when the economy experienced a slowdown, Art Deco designers used cheaper materials such as bakelite, the first plastic made entirely from artificial compounds, to create elegant and practical designs. This movement disappeared by the early 1940s because many people considered the art style gaudy.

In the 1950s, the Pop Art movement began in the United States and England. This movement conveyed the confidence of the "Swinging Sixties," a period of social freedom and modern ideas. Pop Art used images of ordinary objects, such as soup cans, as subjects for the paintings. The movement simplified fine art and appealed to everyone. Andy Warhol, a well-known artist of this era, painted ordinary objects in bright color schemes in his paintings. He also created paintings in comic book style. As the economy prospered, Pop Art designers used materials like plastic to create commercially successful products. By the 1960s, this art movement had reached its peak. This movement faded by the 1970s as the world experienced political unrest. This movement influenced the Neo-Pop art movement of the 1980s.

1. the most basic concepts or beliefs

How does the author's comparison of the Art Deco movement and the Pop Art movement help the reader better understand the development of the two art styles?

• by revealing the social beliefs of a particular period reflected by each art movement

• by mentioning the names of countries where each art movement originated

• by contrasting the different everyday objects used by artists during a particular period

• by highlighting the different materials that people invented during each movement

The End of Hollywood's Silent Era

All of the movies that were made until the late 1920s were "silent movies." The characters in these movies did not speak, and there was no music soundtrack either. The actors relied solely on facial expressions and body movements to express characters' emotions. Live music was played at the theater to accompany the action unfolding onscreen. Among the leading actors of the silent era in Hollywood were the comedic actors Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy. The Hollywood icon Greta Garbo began her acting career with the silent movie Torrent, which hit the screens in 1926.

The silent era ended in 1927 with the release of The Jazz Singer from the Warner Brothers Studio. This was the first full-length Hollywood movie to feature dialogue and music. The movie was a huge success, and Warner Brothers made a lot of money. Other studios joined the Warner Brothers bandwagon and began to produce what people came to call "talking movies." Audiences lined up at the theaters that showed talking movies and snubbed silent movies. Soon, all movie theaters were equipped to show talking movies. Talking movies triumphed over silent movies in the contest to capture the audiences' interest.

Some silent era movie stars, including Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, and Greta Garbo, made a successful switch to the talking era, and audiences flocked to see their new movies with soundtracks and dialogue. However, many stars of the silent era gradually faded from people's memories. By the end of the 1920s, the age of silent movies in Hollywood was over. Although silent movies were still being produced in other countries, the roaring success of the talking movies in Hollywood was evidence that this trend would soon catch on worldwide.

Why did silent movies lose out to the new talking movies? Advancements in the technical aspects of moviemaking led to this switch. Audiences were attracted to stories with dialogue and singing and music. It is similar to how consumers replaced typewriters with digital computers.

In what way does the author's observation about some silent movie actors' decisions to work in talking movies help the reader better understand the impact of talking movies?

• It shows that although silent movies were popular in the beginning, talking movies appealed to the audience because they did not feature live music.

• It shows that despite the popularity of silent movies, some silent movie actors switched to acting in talking movies because theaters only screened talking movies.

• It shows that although silent movies were popular in the beginning, talking movies became so successful that they took over the entire movie industry.

• It shows that despite the popularity of silent movies, talking movies were more successful because they did not rely on the performing skills of actors.

The End of Hollywood's Silent Era

All of the movies that were made until the late 1920s were "silent movies." The characters in these movies did not speak, and there was no music soundtrack either. The actors relied solely on facial expressions and body movements to express characters' emotions. Live music was played at the theater to accompany the action unfolding onscreen. Among the leading actors of the silent era in Hollywood were the comedic actors Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy. The Hollywood icon Greta Garbo began her acting career with the silent movie Torrent, which hit the screens in 1926.

The silent era ended in 1927 with the release of The Jazz Singer from the Warner Brothers Studio. This was the first full-length Hollywood movie to feature dialogue and music. The movie was a huge success, and Warner Brothers made a lot of money. Other studios joined the Warner Brothers bandwagon and began to produce what people came to call "talking movies." Audiences lined up at the theaters that showed talking movies and snubbed silent movies. Soon, all movie theaters were equipped to show talking movies. Talking movies triumphed over silent movies in the contest to capture the audiences' interest.

Some silent era movie stars, including Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, and Greta Garbo, made a successful switch to the talking era, and audiences flocked to see their new movies with soundtracks and dialogue. However, many stars of the silent era gradually faded from people's memories. By the end of the 1920s, the age of silent movies in Hollywood was over. Although silent movies were still being produced in other countries, the roaring success of the talking movies in Hollywood was evidence that this trend would soon catch on worldwide.

Why did silent movies lose out to the new talking movies? Advancements in the technical aspects of moviemaking led to this switch. Audiences were attracted to stories with dialogue and singing and music. It is similar to how consumers replaced typewriters with digital computers.

How does the author's comparison between digital computers and typewriters convey the consumers' preference for talking movies?

• It demonstrates that people adopt products that are popular in other countries.

• It demonstrates that major businesses influence the types of products being sold to consumers.

• It proves that people desire products that are bigger in size and capacity than older models.

• It proves that consumers prefer new and improved products over outdated ones.

The End of Hollywood's Silent Era

All of the movies that were made until the late 1920s were "silent movies." The characters in these movies did not speak, and there was no music soundtrack either. The actors relied solely on facial expressions and body movements to express characters' emotions. Live music was played at the theater to accompany the action unfolding onscreen. Among the leading actors of the silent era in Hollywood were the comedic actors Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy. The Hollywood icon Greta Garbo began her acting career with the silent movie Torrent, which hit the screens in 1926.

The silent era ended in 1927 with the release of The Jazz Singer from the Warner Brothers Studio. This was the first full-length Hollywood movie to feature dialogue and music. The movie was a huge success, and Warner Brothers made a lot of money. Other studios joined the Warner Brothers bandwagon and began to produce what people came to call "talking movies." Audiences lined up at the theaters that showed talking movies and snubbed silent movies. Soon, all movie theaters were equipped to show talking movies. Talking movies triumphed over silent movies in the contest to capture the audiences' interest.

Some silent era movie stars, including Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, and Greta Garbo, made a successful switch to the talking era, and audiences flocked to see their new movies with soundtracks and dialogue. However, many stars of the silent era gradually faded from people's memories. By the end of the 1920s, the age of silent movies in Hollywood was over. Although silent movies were still being produced in other countries, the roaring success of the talking movies in Hollywood was evidence that this trend would soon catch on worldwide.

Why did silent movies lose out to the new talking movies? Advancements in the technical aspects of moviemaking led to this switch. Audiences were attracted to stories with dialogue and singing and music. It is similar to how consumers replaced typewriters with digital computers.

How does the author use descriptions to convey the end result of the competition between silent movies and talking movies?

• It demonstrates how worldwide trends influence movies.

• It demonstrates how both products have similar features.

• It demonstrates how consumers were unable to decide which style of moviemaking was superior.

• It demonstrates how a new technical method with better features is typically more popular.

The Day Rock and Roll Overtook Folk

By J. Blue Spicer

By the early 1960s—amidst political turmoil and civil unrest eerily reflected in modern society—folk music was the preferred genre of music over rock and roll. Folk acted in the role the internet plays today, lending a voice to people's concerns about how government functioned. The music style was played with acoustic instruments, with political and social lyrics that spoke to the issues and concerns of the era. Rock and roll was still viewed as a teenaged sound. Songs contained electric instruments and percussion. Lyrics discussed youthful romance, cars, and dance crazes.

Folk gained its biggest following in New York City neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, where politically active musicians often gathered and performed. Folk focused on quiet introspection, but it was more popular than the purposely loud and fun-loving rock music. Folk icons such as Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, and Buffy Ste. Marie acted as a voice for those angered by a social and political system they felt was unjust.

Folk music's biggest event was the Newport Folk Festival. The genre's biggest acts and newest stars took center stage to showcase folk at its best. However, at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, rock music began to infringe on folk's territory. Bob Dylan, who was the champion of folk for many years, had just released an album featuring electric instrumentation. He was also moving away from politically-charged ideas in favor of more personalized lyrics. Dylan brought an electric backing band to the festival and was largely booed by the folk faithful. This was against the spirit of folk. But this served as the beginning of folk's public demise and rock's rise as the new voice for youth counterculture.

While many of folk's stalwarts remained loyal to the genre and its message, the appeal of rock music to add entertainment to social messages lured many away from the traditional genre. Many believed their message of peace and protest was better served with a louder approach. The difference between the genres was to yell at a massive crowd to get a point across rather than to whisper at an intimate audience. The discord of the 1960s would come to a head at the end of the decade, but it came with the combative sounds of rock rather than the reserved melodies of folk.

In what way does the author's distinction between the loudness of rock and roll and the quiet of folk help the reader better understand how the genre's messaging differed?

• Rock and roll used quiet melodies because it helped to promote an active lifestyle of fun, whereas folk music used loud melodies to imitate the serious subject matter of its lyrics.

• Rock and roll used loud melodies because it hid serious lyrics, whereas folk music used quiet melodies to showcase lyrics about romance, dancing, and fun.

• Rock and roll used loud melodies because it mimicked the boisterous and happy lifestyles of teenagers, whereas folk music used quiet melodies to promote more thought on serious topics affecting everyone.

• Rock and roll used loud melodies because it wished to remain an unpopular music form, whereas folk music used quiet melodies to maintain its popularity.

The Day Rock and Roll Overtook Folk

By J. Blue Spicer

By the early 1960s—amidst political turmoil and civil unrest eerily reflected in modern society—folk music was the preferred genre of music over rock and roll. Folk acted in the role the internet plays today, lending a voice to people's concerns about how government functioned. The music style was played with acoustic instruments, with political and social lyrics that spoke to the issues and concerns of the era. Rock and roll was still viewed as a teenaged sound. Songs contained electric instruments and percussion. Lyrics discussed youthful romance, cars, and dance crazes.

Folk gained its biggest following in New York City neighborhoods like Greenwich Village, where politically active musicians often gathered and performed. Folk focused on quiet introspection, but it was more popular than the purposely loud and fun-loving rock music. Folk icons such as Pete Seeger, Phil Ochs, and Buffy Ste. Marie acted as a voice for those angered by a social and political system they felt was unjust.

Folk music's biggest event was the Newport Folk Festival. The genre's biggest acts and newest stars took center stage to showcase folk at its best. However, at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival, rock music began to infringe on folk's territory. Bob Dylan, who was the champion of folk for many years, had just released an album featuring electric instrumentation. He was also moving away from politically-charged ideas in favor of more personalized lyrics. Dylan brought an electric backing band to the festival and was largely booed by the folk faithful. This was against the spirit of folk. But this served as the beginning of folk's public demise and rock's rise as the new voice for youth counterculture.

While many of folk's stalwarts remained loyal to the genre and its message, the appeal of rock music to add entertainment to social messages lured many away from the traditional genre. Many believed their message of peace and protest was better served with a louder approach. The difference between the genres was to yell at a massive crowd to get a point across rather than to whisper at an intimate audience. The discord of the 1960s would come to a head at the end of the decade, but it came with the combative sounds of rock rather than the reserved melodies of folk.

In what way does the author's comparison of loyal folk musicians to those who moved onto rock and roll help the reader better understand the impact of folk music?

• By showing that despite folk's reach, rock and roll's youth culture was far more appealing to folk fans.

• By showing that despite rocks and roll's reach, folk was a louder and more aggressive form of communication via music.

• By showing that despite rock and roll's reach, its messaging was better suited for the intimate audiences of folk.

• By showing that despite folk's reach, its messaging could reach an even bigger audience by adopting the trademarks and sounds of rock and roll.