EXERCISE 2

According to the passage, what specific characteristic of the Moog Synthesizer differentiated it from earlier electronic synthesizers?

• It could play multiple instruments simultaneously.

• It incorporated new semiconductor technology.

• It was the first synthesizer to be mass-produced.

• It allowed musicians to compose music automatically.

Answer explanation

Scanning reveals that the Moog Synthesizer’s use of semiconductor technology made it smaller and more affordable, setting it apart from earlier models.

Based on the first paragraph, what might the passage discuss about the influence of Robert Moog’s innovations?

• Their limitations in classical music settings

• Their historical and technological significance

• Their role in university-level engineering courses

• Their financial impact on the music industry

Answer explanation

The introduction mentions Moog’s role as an inventor and the widespread use of his synthesizers, predicting a focus on their significance.

What does the term "semiconductor" most likely mean in the context of the passage?

• A material that enhances sound quality

• A technology enabling electronic miniaturization

• A process for automating musical composition

• A component used exclusively in theremins

Answer explanation

The context emphasizes how semiconductors allowed for smaller, more affordable synthesizers, implying their role in miniaturization.

What overarching topic unifies all the details in the passage?

• The evolution of music technology in the 20th century

• The contributions of a single inventor to electronic music

• The economic aspects of synthesizer production

• The use of synthesizers in rock and jazz recordings

Answer explanation

The passage centers on Robert Moog and his innovations in synthesizer technology.

What is the primary focus of the paragraph discussing the collaboration with Wendy Carlos (formerly Walter Carlos)?

• The commercial breakthrough of synthesizers in classical music

• The development of the Minimoog for portability

• The application of Moog Synthesizers in film scores

• The early struggles in marketing the synthesizer

Answer explanation

The paragraph highlights how Carlos’s album, Switched-On Bach, brought synthesizers into the mainstream.

What is the central idea of the paragraph describing the introduction of the Minimoog?

• The Minimoog was an experimental device used by niche musicians.

• The Minimoog’s portability and affordability expanded its appeal.

• The Minimoog was primarily used for creating film soundtracks.

• The Minimoog represented a return to simpler music technology.

Answer explanation

The text explains how the compact and accessible design of the Minimoog attracted a broader range of musicians.

Which pattern best describes the organization of the paragraph on the Moog Synthesizer’s technological innovation?

• Cause and effect

• Comparison and contrast

• Chronological progression

• Problem and solution

Answer explanation

The paragraph explains how the introduction of semiconductor technology (cause) led to smaller and more affordable synthesizers (effect).

What names or terms would be most useful to skim for understanding the development of Moog’s career?

• Queens College, Columbia University, Minimoog

• Theremin, Herbert Deutsch, Wendy Carlos

• Rock music, jazz, film soundtracks

• Physics, engineering, education

Answer explanation

These names and terms directly relate to key points in Moog’s career and contributions.

Why might the success of Switched-On Bach have been pivotal for the popularity of the Moog Synthesizer?

• It demonstrated that synthesizers could replicate classical music authentically.

• It convinced composers to abandon traditional instruments for electronic ones.

• It led to the exclusive use of Moog Synthesizers in orchestras.

• It eliminated the perception that synthesizers were only for experimental music.

Answer explanation

The album showed that synthesizers could handle complex compositions, broadening their appeal beyond experimental music.

Which of the following best summarizes the passage?

• Robert Moog’s development of the Moog Synthesizer revolutionized electronic music, influencing classical, rock, and jazz genres, and advancing musical technology.

• The Moog Synthesizer was a commercial failure but became famous after the introduction of the Minimoog in the 1970s.

• The theremin was a foundational instrument that directly inspired the creation of the Minimoog, used mainly in film and jazz music.

• Robert Moog’s synthesizers replaced traditional instruments and dominated all forms of 20th-century music.

Answer explanation

This summary accurately reflects the text's focus on Moog’s innovations and their wide-reaching impact on music.