Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

The primary purpose of the passage is to

• illustrate the early career and formative experiences of a musical prodigy.

• describe the classical music scene in the eighteenth century.

• uncover the source of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s musical genius.

• prove the importance of starting a musical instrument at an early age.

• denounce Leopold Mozart for exploiting his children’s talent.

According to the passage, Wolfgang became interested in music because

• his father thought it would be profitable.

• he had a natural talent.

• he saw his sister learning to play.

• he came from a musical family.

• he wanted to go on tour.

What was the consequence of Wolfgang’s first public appearance?

• He charmed the emperor and empress of Hapsburg.

• Leopold set his sights on Vienna.

• Word of Wolfgang’s genius spread to the capital.

• He mastered the violin.

• Invitations for the “miracle children” to play poured in.

The author’s attitude toward Leopold Mozart can best be characterized as

• vehement condemnation.

• mild disapproval.

• glowing admiration.

• incredulity.

• veiled disgust.

The word lavish most nearly means

• wasteful.

• clean.

• extravagant.

• beautiful.

• glorious.

The author uses the anecdote about Mozart’s Kingdom of Back to illustrate

• Mozart’s admiration for the composer Johann Sebastian Bach.

• the role imagination plays in musical composition.

• that Mozart was mentally unstable.

• that Mozart was an imaginative child.

• that Mozart’s only friends were imaginary people and family servants.

The author suggests that Mozart’s adult life

• was ruined by repeated illness.

• was a disappointment after his brilliant childhood.

• was nothing but misery.

• ended in poverty and anonymity.

• followed the pattern of his childhood.

The word lauded most nearly means

• derided.

• praised.

• punished.

• compensated

• coveted.

Each of the following statements about Wolfgang Mozart is directly supported by the passage

• Mozart’s father, Leopold, was instrumental in shaping his career.

• Wolfgang had a vivid imagination

• Wolfgang’s childhood was devoted to his musical career.

• Wolfgang’s illnesses were the result of exhaustion.

• Maria Anna was a talented musician in her own right.

Based on information found in the passage, Mozart can best be described as

• a workaholic.

• a child prodigy.

• a sickly child.

• a victim of his father’s ambition

• the greatest composer of the eighteenth century.