"Those Old Piano Blues" and Connecting Questions

(8) In the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues,” how does the author mainly organize his ideas?

• He argues against getting rid of old pianos by explaining how important they once were.

• He lists the benefits of owning a piano by referencing a magazine article about musical instruments.

• He supports people learning to play the piano with stories from students who enjoy the instrument.

• He discusses trends in piano ownership by describing his experience trying to get rid of an old piano.

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(9) What does the author’s use of musical terminology convey in the quotation?

• How piano dealers use musical language when they speak

• How piano tones affect the price of the instruments

• How piano music will persist despite its decrease in popularity

• How the popularity of the piano has shifted like notes in a song

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(10) Which quotation best shows that the author of the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues” is relieved someone wants his old piano?

• Then the song shifted to the saddest of blues. (paragraph 4)

• The song had gone from major to minor, but we pressed on. (paragraph 4)

• But like many a blues song, this piano riff ends with hope. (paragraph 6)

• And to be sure, many older pianos have reached their coda. (paragraph 7)

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(11) What is the purpose of the information in the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues”?

• To describe the differences between old pianos and new ones

• To prove that pianos made in the last century are irreplaceable

• To inform people about new American trends with musical instruments

• To explain why traditional pianos have greatly declined in value

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(12) 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”?

• Definition 1

• Definition 2

• Definition 3

• Definition 4

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(13) In the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues,” what is the primary purpose of paragraph 7?

• To describe pianos in a historical context

• To explain why letting go of pianos is acceptable at times

• To state the reasons why pianos are still important

• To detail the life cycle of pianos

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(14) Which word from the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues” means “an approximate amount”?

• peak (paragraph 1)

• substantial (paragraph 3)

• roughly (paragraph 4)

• treacherous (paragraph 5)

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(15) Which is the best summary of the excerpt from the article “Those Old Piano Blues”?

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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(16) 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?

• People can learn a lot about the history of pianos from musicians

• Old pianos offer a great deal of emotional value to their owners.

• Old pianos are constructed from better materials than new pianos.

• People should learn to play on an acoustic piano before moving to a digital one.

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(17) 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” —

• insists on donating his old piano to a school

• gives an old Steinway to someone who wants it

• thinks old pianos should be destroyed

• expects to sell an old Steinway for a high price

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