Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 88%
Entry Exam
Passage / Scenario
All That Jazz: Jazz is an American musical art form which originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African-American communities in the Southern United States. It derived from a confluence of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has also incorporated music from 19th and 20th century American popular music. The word jazz began as a West Coast slang term of uncertain derivation and was first used to refer to music in Chicago in about 1915.Improvisation is one of the key elements of jazz and a fundamental part of the nature of the music. In jazz, the skilled performer will interpret a tune in very individual ways, never playing the same composition exactly the same way twice. Depending upon the performer's mood and personal experience, interactions with fellow musicians, or even members of the audience, a jazz musician/performer may alter melodies, harmonies, or time signatures at will.
Where and when did jazz originate?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
The correct answer is B: Southern US, 20th century. Jazz originated in the Southern United States at the beginning of the 20th century in African-American communities, as stated in the provided extract. The confluence of African and European music traditions gave birth to jazz during this time. The other choices are incorrect for the following reasons:
A: Europe, 19th century - Incorrect, as jazz originated in the Southern US, not Europe, and specifically in the 20th century.
C: West Coast of U.S., 1850 - Incorrect, as jazz did not originate on the West Coast, but in the Southern US, and not in 1850, but at the beginning of the 20th century.
D: Chicago, 1915 - Incorrect, as Chicago was where the term "jazz" was first used to refer to music around 1915, but jazz itself had already originated in the Southern US before that time.
A: Europe, 19th century - Incorrect, as jazz originated in the Southern US, not Europe, and specifically in the 20th century.
C: West Coast of U.S., 1850 - Incorrect, as jazz did not originate on the West Coast, but in the Southern US, and not in 1850, but at the beginning of the 20th century.
D: Chicago, 1915 - Incorrect, as Chicago was where the term "jazz" was first used to refer to music around 1915, but jazz itself had already originated in the Southern US before that time.