American Music History

Now an extremely broad musical category, this genre evolved out of a cultural explosion in the United States. Featuring vinyl records mixed on turntables and incorporating the rap genre along with heavy bass-lines and samples, it has now become extremely significant in terms of music’s cultural influence in modern times.

• country

• metal

• hip hop

• jazz

Arising from the evolution of the electric guitar and distorted amplification, this music genre is now home to hundreds of sub-genres. Popularized in both the UK and the United States by bands playing a 4/4 rhythm and singing verse-chorus songs, it has become part of music history. It is characterized by guitars and a heavy snare and kick drum rhythm.

• pop

• rock

• reggae

• jazz

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Another genre that came from African American roots, this music genre is an evolution from original rhythm and blues, gospel and jazz. Featuring hand claps, call and response singing, heavy focus on lead singers, it became so popular it eventually began to splinter into other genres, like Motown.

• soul

• jazz

• rap

• blues

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With roots in rock, pop, heavy metal and punk, this genre of music has a specific goal in that it is designed to have a particularly emotive or emotional resonance. Characterized by expressive melodic musicianship and often confessional lyrics. It is often associated with a particular fashion style that is also influenced by metal and punk.

• rap

• emo

• jazz

• blues

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The author’s MAIN purpose for writing the passage is MOST LIKELY toT

• help readers learn to play and sing folk music.

• help readers understand the origins of American music.

• help readers learn the history of European settlers in America.

• help readers understand what life was like for people long ago.

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What is the central idea of the passage?

• People who come to the United States bring familiar items with them from their homelands.

• Folk music lyrics usually refer to the names of places and people of a given region.

• Music changes from one generation to the next as people change a word or a tune.

• The blend of cultures in the United States is represented by a blend of folk music.

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Which idea connects the paragraphs about African, Scottish, Irish, and Mexican music?

• Folk music told about national events.

• Rhythm was very important for dancing.

• People learned most songs from their parents.

• Homeland traditions were brought to America.

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What does the information in Paragraph 2 suggest about early American settlers?

• They came from one region in Europe.

• They preferred local American musical styles

• They brought music with them to America from their homeland.

• They had musical freedom of expression in America.

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By describing the variety of folk music in America, the author communicates a tone of

• desire

• happiness

• pride

• honesty

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According to the passage, the fact that Americans found the freedom to express their feelings meant that American music

• focused on hardships left behind.

• inspired both singing and dancing.

• became a blend of many cultures.

• told stories of life in the new country.

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