CAT 1 RC -The immigration of Europeans

[j.r.ashish]

Passage

The immigration of Europeans and the importation of West African slaves to America resulted in a convergence of cultures, traditions, and art forms, including music. Jazz, first played in New Orleans in the early 1900s, borrowed heavily from the European musical scale and harmonic system. Jazz ensembles were built predominantly on European instruments, such as the trumpet, trombone, saxophone, and piano. The West African influence on jazz was manifested primarily in its performance. Scatting, a technique used by jazz vocalists to mimic the sounds of instruments, had its origin in West African vocal traditions. The emphasis on improvisation in jazz music, in addition to group participation, also came from West African music.
Some musicologists argue that jazz is a purely American form of music. Others, however, contend that jazz is rooted in a history similar to that of America itself, a history of confluence. Proponents of the argument that jazz is purely American often point to its genesis in New Orleans as evidence for this perspective. The irony, however, is that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots. To deny the rich and complex history of jazz, and the true origins of the art form, is to deny the very aspects of the art form that make it undeniably American.

Q-
The author of the passage would most likely agree with which of the following statements?

a) Although American football was derived from the English sports of soccer and rugby, it should be called a purely American sport because it was first played in America.

b) Because American football was derived from the English sports of soccer and rugby, it should not be called an American sport.

c) Most sports scholars deny the English origins of American football.

d) What makes American football American is its derivation from the English sports of soccer and rugby.

e) Because the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots, American football should not be called an American sport.

Ans.

Per the passage, Jazz Music is undeniably American because it has been influenced by European and African Forms (since America as a country is also influenced by many other cultures).

In this analysis nothing is said about the root from where the Jazz Music is derived. It would be wrong to say the Jazz is undeniably American because it is derived from Europe/Africa.

That is the reasoning given in Option 4.

How is my reasoning incorrect?

[RonPurewal]

The author's own statement about "American" things"”as opposed to the quoted statements"”is "that the essence of America lies in the plurality of its roots." Only choice D mentions the fact that football has multiple roots.

I'm unclear on exactly what you are asking. In fact, I'm not even clear on whether you agree or disagree with choice D.
Please clarify, thanks.

[j.r.ashish]

I don`t agree with choice D, and the reason is the usage of word "derived".

From the passage what I understood is that Jazz (in US)- through course of time was influence by many other Regions` instruments/performance.

However, to say that it has been derived from European/African Jazz form is wrong.

So here -I am confused with the usage of word derived. I believe the proper word should be influenced, not derived.

[RonPurewal]

"Roots" can refer to either influences or origins, so that's not an issue.

More importantly, which choice do you think is a better option?

[j.r.ashish]

"Roots" can refer to either influences or origins, so that's not an issue.

More importantly, which choice do you think is a better option?

Ok well noted

I was not able to narrow down on any choice. Other choices were out for obvious reasons.

[RonPurewal]

"Roots" can refer to either influences or origins, so that's not an issue.

More importantly, which choice do you think is a better option?

Ok well noted

I was not able to narrow down on any choice. Other choices were out for obvious reasons.

Ok.

So, then, it's a battle between "obvious reasons" and semantic trifles. It should be clear who wins that one.