#1 - Some critics argue that an opera’s stage directions are never reflected in its music. Many

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

Method-Argument Part. The correct answer choice is (D).

Answer choice (A):

Answer choice (B):

Answer choice (C):

Answer choice (D): This is the correct answer choice.

Answer choice (E):

This explanation is still in progress. Please post any questions below!

[kristinajohnson@berkeley.edu]

"(1)Some critics argue that an opera’s stage directions are never reflected in its music. (2)Many comic scenes in Mozart’s operas, however, open with violin phrases that sound like the squeaking of changing scenery. (3)Clearly Mozart intended the music to echo the sounds occurring while stage directions are carried out. (4)Hence, a change of scenery—the most basic and frequent stage direction—can be reflected in the music, which means that other operatic stage directions can be as well."

"In the argument, the statement that many comic scenes in Mozart’s operas open with violin phrases that sound like the squeaking of changing scenery is offered in support of the claim that"

"Many comic scenes in Mozart’s operas...open with violin phrases that sound like the squeaking of changing scenery...Hence, a change of scenery...can be reflected in the music, which means that other operatic stage directions can be as well." This seems to be all that's important.

I guess the italics are here to distract?

(A) a change of scenery is the stage direction most frequently reflected in an opera’s music (This seems to be supported by the stimulus? Is the reason this answer, as well as (E), is incorrect because neither of them are the correct claims supported by the second sentence?)

(B) an opera’s stage directions are never reflected in its music (This is the opposite of what the author concludes.)

(C) an opera’s music can have an effect on the opera’s stage directions (This appears to be a reverse answer.)

(D) a variety of stage directions can be reflected in an opera’s music (The trouble I have with (D) is "a variety," where is the evidence for that in the stimulus? "Many comic scenes?" are of "changing scenery" "occurring while stage directions are carried out." I see this as a single, same, direction, it's the direction of changing scenery. Maybe, "other operatic stage directions" paired with the change of scenery direction is supposed to add up to a variety?)

(E) the most frequent relation between an opera’s music and its stage directions is one of musical imitation of the sounds that occur when a direction is carried out (The second sentence mentions "changing scenery," the third "sounds occurring while stage directions are carried out," and the fourth "frequent stage direction" lulled me into this incorrect answer. I see how these parts make (A) attractive also.)

[Dana D]

Hey kristina,

I think your reasoning for answer choices (B) and (C) are spot on.

For answer choices (A) and (E):

(A) a change of scenery is the stage direction most frequently reflected in an opera’s music (This seems to be supported by the stimulus? Is the reason this answer, as well as (E), is incorrect because neither of them are the correct claims supported by the second sentence?)

These both refer to the sounds of scenery changing and essentially both refer to the frequency of this. They are both incorrect because although they might be true, "he statement that many comic scenes in Mozart’s operas open with violin phrases that sound like the squeaking of changing scenery" is not offered in support of either one of these claims. This phrase was offered in order to show that Mozart " intended the music to echo the sounds occurring while stage directions are carried out" and therefore, the change in scenery being reflected in music means "other operatic stage directions can be as well".

It's this last part that makes answer choice (D) the correct answer - the author's claim isn't just that scenery changes are the most common stage direction, it's that if there can be sound for scenery changes, there can be sound for other stage directions.

Hope that helps!