ACT English Practice Test 39

The following paragraphs may or may not be in the most logical order. You may be asked questions about the logical order of the paragraphs, as well as where to place sentences logically within any given paragraph.

Ragtime: Uniquely American Music

[1]

Many forms of music Q1 have originated in the United States, thanks in large part to the nations Q2 rich ethnic diversity. It is ragtime that is one form of American music. Q3 Characterized both by its distinctive African-American syncopation and conservative European classical structure, ragtime in its heyday from 1900 to 1918 Q4 was enjoyed by people of all races and ethnicities.

[2]

Ragtime grew from the marches and jigs popular in the Northern Black communities of the late 19th century. Historians consider 1897 the beginning of mature ragtime. A “rag” can have varied instrumentation; but Q5 usually it is written for piano. Ragtime songs have a vocal part, but much of the music makes the piano Q6 center stage. Predating recorded music, ragtime was distributed almost exclusively as sheet music, which was performed by amateur pianists in homes and cafés around the country. For this reason, many consider ragtime to be a form of classical music. Public performances by ragtime composers were in short supply, but high demand. One alternative to seeing a great performance was to hear the piece on a player piano. The first official ragtime hit was Scott Joplin’s Maple Leaf Rag, published in 1899. America was enthralled by this sophisticated composition.

[3]

[1] Today, Joplin is the most famous figure in ragtime history. [2] He first showed great musical potential Q7 at a young age, and when his family moved to a new home in Texas, his mother worked long hours to earn enough money to buy a piano for him. [3] His abilities were noticed by a German piano teacher he Q8 gave Joplin free lessons and instilled in him good classical technique. [4] Soon enough, Joplin was a skilled musician and began studying music composition at George Smith College in Sedalia, Missouri. Q9 [5] After some years as a traveling musician, where Q10 he eventually settled back in Sedalia and became a pianist at several, popular, black men’s clubs. Q11 [6] It was during this phase of his career that he composed his Maple Leaf Rag, the piano piece that propelled him, and ragtime itself into national prominence. Q12Q13

[4]

The ragtime style illustrates how people of diverse heritage can create unique music that lots of people like. Q14 Ragtime gave way to jazz by the 1920s. Audio recording was becoming popular at the same time. The piano was no longer required and jazz albums began playing in living rooms across the country. Like all folk music, though, jazz pays homage to its predecessor—ragtime—by borrowing its style, rhythm, and mood.

Q15