SECTION I Reading Comprehension Read the passage. Then answer the questions that follow. (5 points each)
Although the modern-day violin was originally made in Italy in the 1700s, some say the first violin can be traced to an ancient Indian instrument called the Ravan Hatta. With such a rich musical history in India, it is not surprising that perhaps one of the most accomplished violin musicians in the world is India’s remarkably talented Kala Ramnath. Born into a family of critically-acclaimed Indian musicians including violin legend Professor T.N. Krishnan, Kala demonstrated musical talent from childhood. She began playing when she was only three. At that time, she started her music education by studying under her grandfather, Vidwan Shri Narayan Lyer. Under his guidance, there was no room for laziness or excuses for not practicing, nor were there any breaks or trips outside of the home for leisure or fun. Kala’s second teacher was her aunt, also a well-known violinist. Later, she moved on to study under high-profile musician Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj. With the help her three teachers, she mastered the techniques and the creative artistry that has set her apart from others.
Although she learned the classical techniques with her teachers, Kala has since developed her own individual style. She uses unique bow and finger techniques to create notes that sound more like a human voice singing than a violin. These techniques have earned her violin the nickname of “The Singing Violin.” She and her singing violin have toured the world extensively. Kala has performed in the United States, Greece, Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and Bangladesh.
In addition to having toured in various parts of the world, she has also experimented with incorporating different types of sounds into her music. She has played with Ray Manzarek who played keyboards for the American rock band, The Doors, and with Eduardo Niebla, a Flamenco guitarist. She has also played alongside South Africa’s Lucas Khumalo and Kúnlé Odutayo to create music with an African-Indian fusion.
Kala has expanded her career beyond music into the areas of theater and radio broadcasting, where she has also excelled. She has gone beyond being thought of only as a musician to being a well-known personality in the worlds of TV and radio broadcasting. Although a pioneer in mixing her music with that of other cultures and genres, Kala is still, and always will be, considered an icon of North Indian classical music.
Source: http://www.kalaramnath.com/
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B
C
T30 CHAPTER 8 TEST C o p yr igh t © M cG ra w -H ill
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1. The main idea of this article is that
A classical violin music is very popular in India.
B Kala’s violin sounds like voices singing.
C Kala Ramnath is very talented.
D Kala is a famous radio and TV star.
2. The first modern-day violin was made in A India.
B Italy.
C Bangladesh.
D South Africa.
3. How many violinists did Kala study under?
A 5
B 4
C 3
D 2
4. Why has Kala’s violin been nicknamed “The Singing Violin”? A She can make the violin sound like a voice singing.
B The violin sings.
C Kala sings while she plays.
D People sing to her music.
5. Kala has not worked with an artist from A South Africa.
B Spain.
C United States.
D Bangladesh.
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SECTION II Strategy This section refers directly to certain words in the passage. Look back at them before you decide on your answers. (5 points each)
1. In paragraph A, the word remarkably could be replaced with the word .
A curiously
B ordinarily
C noticeably
D interestingly
2. In paragraph A, what inference can be made about Kala? A She enjoys traveling around the world.
B She works hard.
C She can play many musical instruments.
D She dislikes practicing the violin.
3. In paragraph B, what word could be used in place of conventional ?
A unique
B traditional
C modern
D strict
4. Use the structure clues and context to guess the meaning of the word fusion in Paragraph D.
A a blend
B an ingredient
C a song
D a band
5. What inference can be made about Kala’s grandfather? A He was strict.
B He was lazy.
C He liked to play the violin.
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SECTION III New Words Use the words in the box to complete the sentences below. (4 points each)
architect assumptions contemporary dud mentor
articulate be on the lookout contraption in retrospect publish
1. Because he likes to design buildings, Kevin is studying to be a(n) . 2. I am going to my first book; it’s a biography of Thomas Edison. 3. Most of the buildings in the city are in a style; there are very few
traditional ones.
4. If you are interested in reading a book about inventions, I will be when
I go to the bookstore tomorrow.
5. What is that strange looking ? Is it a bike or a motorcycle or a boat? 6. You know… , I probably should have studied biology in college instead
of finance.
7. My first boss was a great ; she taught me all about design and how to
succeed in business.
8. That invention was such a ; it didn’t work at all.
9. It’s hard for me to my thoughts out loud. Let me write them down instead.
It will probably make things clearer.
10. You should be careful about making . It’s important to check to be sure
something is true.
SECTION IV Building Vocabulary Match each adjective with its definition. Write the letter of the definition in the blank. (2 points each)
Adjectives 1. turbulent 2. isolated 3. contemporary 4. cavernous 5. conceptual TOTAL /100 pts. Definitions a. new; modern b. theoretical; abstract c. excited; stormy d. set apart; alone
e. spacious; large and hollow
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