Free Practice Question
RC · Reading Comprehension
555-605
Short Passage - Science
Reading Passage
By 1784, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was internationally renowned as the composer of Marriage of Figaro, and consequently received a commission from the Prague Opera House to compose another opera. The resulting product was Don Giovanni, which tells the tale of a criminal and seducer who nevertheless evokes sympathy from audiences, and whose behavior fluctuates from moral crisis to hilarious escapade.
While Don Giovanni is widely considered to be Mozart's greatest achievement, eighteenth century audiences in Vienna — Mozart's own city— were ambivalent at best. The opera mixed traditions of moralism with those of comedy— a practice heretofore unknown among the composer's works— creating a production that was not well liked by conservative Viennese audiences. Meanwhile, however, Don Giovanni was performed to much fanfare throughout Europe.
While Don Giovanni is widely considered to be Mozart's greatest achievement, eighteenth century audiences in Vienna — Mozart's own city— were ambivalent at best. The opera mixed traditions of moralism with those of comedy— a practice heretofore unknown among the composer's works— creating a production that was not well liked by conservative Viennese audiences. Meanwhile, however, Don Giovanni was performed to much fanfare throughout Europe.
The primary purpose of the passage is to
Answer Choices
Correct answer marked belowA
relate the story of a somewhat likable antihero.
discuss how a work of art has been met by diverging responses.
Correct
C
give a history of the work of Mozart.
D
make a case for the renown of Don Giovanni.
E
emphasize the moral aspects of a musical work.
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What it tests
Your ability to understand a passage, its structure, and what the author is really saying. At the 555-605 level, accuracy and speed both matter.
Common trap
Answering from memory or outside knowledge instead of strictly from the passage.
Details
Difficulty
555-605
Type
RC
Category