ACT Reading Practice - Wherever He Went

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

• A. Armstrong was an exceedingly gifted musician whose emotional range was nonetheless somewhat narrow.

• B. One of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time, Armstrong is best known for his soft and luminous tone.

• C. Armstrong has had a profound effect on music, one that has been both wide ranging and long lasting.

• D. A pioneering jazz trumpeter and singer, Armstrong recorded numerous masterpieces in the mid to late 1920s.

Answer explanation

Answer choice C most accurately describes the main point of the passage, which is Armstrong’s innovations and influences on music which are still alive today. A is incorrect because lines 72-73 indicate that his emotional range was the greatest of any jazz musician ever. B is incorrect because lines 35-37 describe “soft and luminous” as merely one of many tones featured in Armstrong’s playing. D is a tempting answer choice because it is a statement supported by lines 30-31 in the text. However, it is incorrect because it is far too narrow to capture the main point of the passage. It is important on main point questions to find the answer choice that represents the correct breadth of topic. In other words, avoid answer choices that are too broad or too narrow.

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

• F. In terms of Western music history, what was so radical about Armstrong's playing and singing?

• G. What aspect of Armstrong's music brought the role of the jazz soloist to the fore?

• H. What style of jazz singing did Armstrong popularize?

• J. Which of Armstrong's recorded masterpieces most changed American music?

Answer explanation

Watch out for the "NOT." The passage does not name any of Armstrong’s songs by name. F is answered in the first sentence of the passage, lines 1-4. G is answered in lines 7-9. H is answered in lines 30-33.

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23. 23. The passage suggests that Armstrong's most important contribution to jazz was his:

• A. musical conquest of Europe.

• B. emphasis on improvisation.

• C. work with King Oliver.

• D. invention of the blues sound.

Answer explanation

B) Armstrong’s greatest contribution to jazz, and what made him different from any musician who came before him, was the focus he placed on improvising, so B is the correct answer. His groundbreaking improvisational ability is detailed in lines 1-12. A is incorrect because, although line 37 states that Armstrong’s “music conquered Europe,” it does so as merely a side note. C is incorrect because, although lines 21-24 mention his work with King Oliver, this work is not described as one of his main contributions to Jazz. D is incorrect because the passage never claims that Armstrong invented the blues sound.

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24. 24. The main function of the second paragraph (lines 20-29) is to:

• F. identify some of Armstrong's mentors, such as King Oliver.

• G. list some of the early events in Armstrong's developing career.

• H. contrast Armstrong's opinions of King Oliver and Fletcher Henderson.

• J. describe the musical style Armstrong developed jointly with Fletcher Henderson.

Answer explanation

Although this paragraph mentions Armstrong’s work both with King Oliver and with Fletcher Henderson, neither of these people are central to the function of the paragraph. Instead, the paragraph provides a list of many important events in the early part of Armstrong’s career. Included in these events are some of the people he played with and some of the places he traveled.

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

• A. would be the featured soloist on almost every piece in a show.

• B. ended shows with a long series of high notes.

• C. once managed to play for an entire night.

• D. could play five shows a day.

Answer explanation

Watch out for the “EXCEPT.” Armstrong playing for an entire night is never mentioned in the passage. Answer choices A, B, and D are all mentioned in lines 51-53 as examples of his endurance.

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

• F. his strong desire to reshape American music.

• G. his cheerful demeanor and sense of mission.

• H. the range of influences on his music.

• J. the varied settings in which he performed.

Answer explanation

Watch out for the “EXCEPT.” Although the passage argues that Armstrong reshaped American music, nowhere does it indicate that this was ever a goal of his. G is incorrect because his joyful attitude and undeniable purpose is described in lines 84-88. H is incorrect because his wide-ranging influences are described in lines 75-78. J is incorrect because some of the settings of his performances are described in lines 74-75.

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

• A. awe.

• B. determination.

• C. pleasure.

• D. nostalgia.

Answer explanation

Lines 79-81 indicate that Armstrong hoped to give his listeners “pleasure” through his music.

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

• F. New Orleans

• G. New York

• H. Chicago

• J. Paris

Answer explanation

Line 29 indicates that Armstrong eventually ended up in living in New York, in 1929. New Orleans and Chicago are mentioned in the second paragraph as places he lived prior to settling in New York. Although the passage mentions his music conquering Europe, it never indicates that he lived in Paris.

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29. 29. The author most likely includes the information in lines 53-57 to suggest:

• A. Armstrong's highly developed skill.

• B. Armstrong's unease with orchestral music.

• C. that Armstrong used an unusual trumpet.

• D. that Armstrong invented the glissando.

Answer explanation

The fact that the trumpeters from a renowned orchestra were skeptical that Armstrong was even planning the same instrument as them (lines 53-57) indicates that some of the best trumpet players in the world were in awe of Armstrong’s glissandos. Their disbelief of the sounds coming from Armstrong’s trumpet is indicative of his incredible skill.

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30. 30. 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?

• F. Reluctantly.

• G. Intentionally.

• H. Unconsciously.

• J. Optimistically.

Answer explanation

The quote in lines 66-68 indicates that the orchestra did not even realize they had begun to swing, so H is the correct answer.

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