from "Tansen's Gift"

12. PART A

What is the meaning of the word tarnished as it is used in paragraph 5?

• A. damaged

• B. praised

• C. bolstered

• D. considered

Answer explanation

Part A

A*

Correct. The context of paragraph 5 suggests that because of their

jealousy of Tansen, the other musicians “plotted secretly for his downfall” in

an attempt to diminish his reputation and “tarnish,” or damage, it.

B

Incorrect. Although Tansen’s music pleased the emperor and he was

praised for his talent, the context of paragraph 5 emphasizes that

“tarnished” has a negative connotation, which suggests it means the

opposite of praise.

C

Incorrect. Tansen’s reputation was bolstered as a result of his wonderful

singing; however, the way the word “tarnished” is used in paragraph 5

means the opposite of “bolstered.”

D

Incorrect. The decision to damage Tansen’s reputation shows his rivals

considered their actions before implementing them. Similarly, the king

thought through his actions. But “tarnished,” in the full context of paragraph

5, means “damaged,” rather than “considered.”

12. Part B

Which two details from the passage best help the reader understand the meaning of the word tarnished?

• A. “Tansen was soon entertaining the emperor every evening.” (paragraph 4)

• B. “Tansen’s reputation spread.” (paragraph 5)

• C. “. . . and plotted secretly for his downfall.” (paragraph 5)

• D. “One morning, they approached the emperor . . .” (paragraph 6)

• E. “. . . voicing doubts about the beauty of Tansen’s music.” (paragraph 6)

Answer explanation

Part B

A

Incorrect. This evidence describes something for which one would be

praised, which supports B in Part A.

B

Incorrect. This evidence describes a situation that would likely yield praise or in which a reputation is bolstered, which would support B and C in Part A.

C*

Correct. The assertion that the other Jewels of the Crown are plotting

Tansen’s downfall is evidence that “tarnished,” as used in paragraph 5,

means “damaged.”

D

Incorrect. This evidence describes people who hope to have an idea

considered, which would support D in Part A.

E*

Correct. The idea that anyone doubts the beauty of Tansen’s music

supports the idea that “tarnished,” as used in paragraph 5, means

“damaged"

13. Part A

How do Tansen’s conflicting motivations most advance the plot in the story?

• A. Because he knows he must obey the king but also wants to survive, Tansen

  comes up with a solution that allows him to do both and enhances his reputation.

• B. Because he wants to impress the king and stay away from harm, Tansen comes

  up with a plan that results in a long and healthy life.

• C. Because he wants to obey the king but also prove he is the best singer, Tansen

  comes up with a solution that brings him the fame and wealth he desires.

• D. Because he wants to please the king but also keep his position, Tansen comes

  up with a plan that restores his honor.

Answer explanation

Part A

A*

Correct. Tansen has no choice but to obey the king; however, he also

wants to survive, so he comes up with the idea to mitigate the damage he

will suffer if he sings well. (Paragraph 6 explains how singing the Deepak

Raga to perfection consumes the singer by fire.) With the other singer,

Rupa, whose singing generates refreshing rain to extinguish the heat of his

song, Tansen is able to perform well and survive.

B

Incorrect. This answer option is not entirely accurate. Although Tansen

wishes to impress the king, his plan includes some degree of risk

(consumption by fire for singing perfectly), and in fact he falls ill after

singing Deepak Raga. Tansen is merely hoping to survive, rather than

planning for a long life.

C

Incorrect. The flaw with this answer option is that there is no text evidence to support the idea that Tansen wants wealth. He is already part of the

king’s court and would likely not need more wealth. Also, this statement does not address Tansen’s desire to survive despite the dangers of a good performance.

D

Incorrect. While it is true Tansen wants to please the king and keep his

position, restoring his honor is not Tansen’s primary motivation because his

honor has not been damaged. The other members of the court hope to

damage his reputation, but they have not yet succeeded

13. Part B

Which two quotations from the passage best support the answer to Part A?

(How do Tansen’s conflicting motivations most advance the plot in the story?)

• B. “By his side was Rupa, the woman who would accompany him, singing Megh

  Raga simultaneously.” (paragraph 11)

• C. “. . . it soared through the thick, warm air, over the rooftops to the sky above . . .”

  (paragraph 15)

• D. “. . . the emperor, greatly relieved, showered Tansen with gratitude and many

  gifts.” (paragraph 17)

• E. “. . . was able to return to court only months later.” (paragraph 17)

• F. “Accounts of Tansen swiftly spread down the valleys and across the hilltops to

  other kingdoms.” (paragraph 18)

Answer explanation

B*

Correct. Including Rupa in the performance supports the correct answer

because it shows that Tansen comes up with a plan to have Rupa

extinguish the fire that will result from his performance.

C

Incorrect. This evidence could support B, C or D in Part A because it shows

the results of Rupa’s singing Megh Raga, which brings the cooling rain that

keeps Tansen from being consumed with fire. Although this is part of

Tansen’s solution to his dilemma, it is not the best support for the correct

answer.

D

Incorrect. This evidence addresses the idea that Tansen was rewarded and

got to keep his position, which would support C or D in Part A but not the

correct answer.

E

Incorrect. This evidence emphasizes the harm that came to Tansen when

he sang, which loosely supports B in Part A.

F*

Correct. This evidence supports the correct answer because it shows that

Tansen’s success at performing and surviving enhanced his reputation

even beyond what it had been previously.

14. Part A

Which statement best expresses a theme from the passage?

• A. Beauty is more important than fame.

• B. Bravery is critical to achieving one’s goals.

• C. Fame can be achieved through hard work.

• D. Reputation is as important as character.

Answer explanation

Part A

A

Incorrect. This option does not apply to the story. The only discussion of

beauty is in connection to Tansen’s singing, which is a secondary element

in comparison to Tansen’s ingenious plan that enabled him to obey the

king’s command and survive an ordeal.

B*

Correct. This theme of the passage emerges from Tansen’s willingness to undertake grave risk in order to prove himself to the king.

C

Incorrect. Tansen achieved fame; however, he was already well known and respected when he was given the challenge to sing the Raga, so the idea that fame comes through hard work is not the best statement of a major theme of the passage.

D

Incorrect. Tansen is portrayed as a person of character, especially when he

opts not to deal with his adversaries by using similar underhanded tactics.

Paragraph 9 describes how Tansen relied on his own careful thinking to

come up with a plan for success. The risky plan required him to be brave,

rather than focus just on maintaining his reputation.

14. Part B

Which two pieces of evidence from the passage provide the best support for the answer to Part A?

(Which statement best expresses a theme from the passage?)

• A. “Somewhere in the forest a man plucked the strings of a tanpura.” (paragraph 1)

• B. “Tansen was soon entertaining the emperor every evening.” (paragraph 4)

• C. “The heat in the room was nearly unbearable as Tansen continued to sing.”

  (paragraph 13)

• D. “Rupa gathered her courage and began to sing Megh Raga.” (paragraph 15)

• E. “Yet Tansen’s glory spread faster than the fiery power of Deepak Raga.”

  (paragraph 18)

Answer explanation

Part B

A

Incorrect. This evidence refers to Tansen’s beautiful music, which would

support a theme connected to beauty expressed in A in Part A, which is not

the best statement of a theme of the story.

B

Incorrect. Tansen’s regular singing for the emperor suggests he worked

hard, which supports C in Part A.

C*

Correct. This evidence supports the correct answer because it shows

Tansen’s bravery in the face of increasing discomfort and danger.

D*

Correct. This evidence supports the correct answer because it shows that

Rupa goes from singing quietly to increasing her volume, which brings

cooling rains to combat the rising heat caused by Tansen’s singing and also shows bravery on her part.

E

Incorrect. This evidence suggests that Tansen’s reputation was positive and widespread, which would support D in Part A and has little to do with the courage necessary to complete his song.

15. Part A

What effect is produced by the author’s structural choices?

• A. By including a foreshadowing of the outcome of the song, the author introduces

  some irony.

• B. By emphasizing the contrast between the Deepak Raga and the Megh Raga, the author establishes conflict.

• C. By comparing the emperor’s reluctance when hearing the request with Tansen’s

  response, the author introduces a sense of mystery.

• D. By using vivid imagery to detail what happened during the singers’ performances,

  the author creates suspense.

Answer explanation

Part A

A

Incorrect. This option might be an attractive guess, but there is no evidence

of foreshadowing in the story. Instead, the author lays out the plot in

chronological order.

B

Incorrect. Even though the songs are obviously opposites and are intended

to bring different results, the Megh Raga is part of complementing and

canceling out the negative effects of the Deepak Raga, not part of

establishing conflict within the story.

C

Incorrect. Clearly, the emperor is not happy with the dilemma of requiring

Tansen to perform a potentially fatal action or being seen by the other

Jewels of the Crown to play favorites. The passage also makes it plain that

Tansen is keenly aware of the danger he faces, so there is no support for

saying the author introduces a sense of mystery.

D*

Correct. The vivid imagery, especially in paragraphs 12 through 16, adds

to the suspense of the moments. The author skillfully describes the

increasing heat from Tansen’s singing thickening the air and causing

listeners to sweat and flowers to droop. This imagery creates tension that is

then balanced by the description of Rupa’s song bringing rain that clears

the air, cools listeners, and lifts up the flowers.

15. Part B

Which two pieces of evidence from the passage best support the answer to Part A?

(author's structural choices)

• B. “The emperor faced a dilemma . . .” (paragraph 7)

• C. “Tansen protested, but the emperor held up his hand, silencing Tansen’s

  protests . . .” (paragraph 8)

• D. “Tansen knew the dangers of singing Deepak Raga.” (paragraph 9)

• E. “His face had grown red like the sandstone of the palace and dripped with

  sweat.” (paragraph 14)

• F.

  “Her voice grew stronger as she sang, and it soared through the thick, warm air,

  over the rooftops to the sky above, which darkened.” (paragraph 15)

Answer explanation

B

Incorrect. Because this evidence suggests a conflict (dilemma), it could be

seen as supporting the notion of the emperor’s reluctance about having

Tansen perform a song that would almost certainly result in his death,

which could support B in Part A.

C

Incorrect. This evidence might support C in Part A because it establishes a

comparison between the emperor’s request and Tansen’s response to

being told he must perform a musical piece that could result in his death,

but this evidence does not suggest a mystery.

D

Incorrect. The explanation of what could happen if Tansen performed the

Deepak Raga might be interpreted as foreshadowing or as building a

mystery because Tansen is reluctant to perform and/or knows of the likely outcome. Either idea could support A or C in Part A.

E*

Correct. This evidence supports the correct answer in Part A because the

vivid imagery of the dramatic changes in the setting while Tansen sings

adds to the suspense of the moment.

F*

Correct. This picture of darkening clouds about to burst into rainfall supports the correct answer in Part A because it adds to the suspense

about whether Rupa’s singing of Megh Raga will extinguish the heat created by the Deepak Rag