RI 3.7

Select the argument that is made in the first article "Mozart Matters".

• Most people enjoy listening to classical music such as Mozart.

• Kids who are exposed to certain types of music, such as the work of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, are more likely to be happier, healthier, and more focused.

• Listening to classical music such as Mozart has little to no effect on the brain.

What evidence is used to validate the author's argument in "Mozart Matters"? Choose TWO

• Research has shown that premature babies who listened to classical music in their intensive care units gained more weight and had a better chance of survival than those who didn't.

• Too many sounds, he says, can be distracting and can actually scramble thoughts instead of helping to systematize them.

• The College Board, which administers the SAT college admissions exams, found that students who sang or played an instrument scored up to 52 points higher than those who did not.

• A Mozart piece, Campbell says, is repetitive, which makes it easy for children to grasp.

Select the sentences that convey the idea that listening to Mozart's music has beneficial effects. Choose THREE

• These findings don't surprise Campbell, who says that music helps to foster creativity and overall brain development. This is particularly true of Mozart's music, which has a highly disciplined structure and form.

• Not all sounds are good sounds, however, and some can even be detrimental.

• Mozart often wrote sonatas. These compositions start out simple, develop into something more intricate, and then return to a simple form. The somewhat predictable sequence helps kids understand and recognize patterns.

• Learning the patterns in music, Campbell added, is like learning the patterns of language. Listening to language helps kids use language better; music is just another form of expression.

How is the information in the second article "Mozart Myth Set Straight" different from the first article "Mozart Matters"?

• This article provides more evidence that listening to Mozart's music has a positive effect on the brain.

• This article discusses a variety of music and the effects they have on the brain.

• This article does not support the claim that listening to Mozart's music has beneficial effects on the brain.

Select the sentences that convey the idea that the "Mozart Effect" does not exist. Choose THREE

• Kenneth Steele, a psychology professor, worked on one of the 1999 studies. He says it's unwise to draw a conclusion from one study or methodology.

• John Bruer worked with Steele. They say their investigations indicate there's no real benefit from listening to Mozart. Steele conducted a study that followed the same procedures used to produce the effect in the 1993 study. . . Steele said his research showed little difference in brain functioning whether the subject was exposed to music or to silence.

• A second 1999 investigation had results similar to those of Steele's study. Harvard University researcher Christopher Chabris analyzed 16 previous studies. He found that IQ improvements, if any, from listening to Mozart were not statistically significant.

• "I was intrigued by it because it was a nice compilation," Aikin said. "Who knows if it raises my children's IQ? Even if it doesn't, I'm still happy with it."

How do the two articles differ in how they support their claims? Choose THREE

• Most of the details and all the quotes to support the claim in the first article come from Don Campbell who sells a series of "Mozart Effect" CDs.

• The second article includes the results of studies and quotes from experts.

• The second article provides an opposing viewpoint by including quotes from people who believe in the Mozart Effect, including Don Campbell.

• The first article includes many statistics and quotes from experts.

Which article is more credible?

• The first article because it quotes one person who sell Mozart CDs.

• The second article because it includes the results of studies, expert opinions, and an opposing viewpoint.

The video states that studies in the 1990s show that listening to Mozart's music will increase performance on spatial reasoning. However, several replications of these studies have failed to prove this is true. Which author could use this information to support his claim?

• the first article "Mozart Matters"

• the second article "Mozart Myth Set Straight"