DURING WHICH TIME HE ENJOYED THE PATRONAGE OF MADAME VON MECK, A...

1890, during which time he

enjoyed the patronage of Madame von Meck, a woman he never met, who gave

him a living stipend of about $1,000.00 a year. Madame von Meck later

terminated her friendship with

Tchaikovsky, as well as his living allowance, when she, herself, was facing financial difficulties. It was during

the time of Madame von Meck's patronage, however, that Tchaikovsky created the music for which he is most

famous, including the music for the ballets of Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty.

Tchaikovsky's music, well known for its rich melodic and sometimes melancholy passages, was one of

the first that brought serious dramatic music to dance. Before this, little attention had been given to the music

behind the dance. Tchaikovsky died on November 6, 1893, ostensibly of cholera, though there are now some

scholars who argue that he committed suicide.

Question 71: With what topic is the passage primarily concerned?

A. the life and music of Tchaikovsky

B. development of Tchaikovsky's music for ballets

C. Tchaikovsky's relationship with Madame Von Meck

D. the cause of Tchaikovsky's death

Question 72: Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word "productivity"?

A. fertility

B. affinity

C. creativity

D. maturity

Question 73: The phrase "enjoyed the patronage of" probably means _________

A. liked the company of

B. was mentally attached to

C. solicited the advice of

D. was financially dependent upon

Question 74: Which of the following could best replace the word "terminated"?

A. discontinued

B. resolved

C. exploited

D. hated

Question 75: According to the passage, all of the following describe Madame von Meck EXCEPT _________

A. She had economic troubles.

B. She was generous.

C. She enjoyed Tchaikovsky's music. D. She was never introduced to Tchaikovsky.

Question 76: It is known that before Tchaikovsky, _______ .

A. the music behind the dance had been taken seriously

B. serous dramatic music had been already brought to dance

C. the music behind the dance had been given very little attention.

D. music had been famous for its rich melodic passages

Question 77: According to the passage, for what is Tchaikovsky's music most well known?

A. its repetitive and monotonous tones B. the ballet-like quality of the music

C. its lively, capricious melodies

D. the richness and melodic drama of the music

Question 78: According to the passage, "Swan Lake" and "The Sleeping Beauty" are _________

A. dances

B. songs

C. operas

D. plays

Question 79: Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?

A. Tchaikovsky's influence on ballet music

B. Tchaikovsky's unhappiness leading to

suicide

C. the patronage of Madame von Meck

D. Tchaikovsky's productivity in composing

Question 80: Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word "behind"?

A. supporting

B. in back of

C. going beyond

D.

concealing

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