1. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) relate the story of a somewhat likable antihero
(B) discuss how a work of art was met by diverging responses. Correct.
(C) give a history of the work of Mozart
(D) make a case for the renown of Don Giovanni
(E) emphasize the moral aspects of a musical work

relevant lines from the passage:

While Don Giovanni is widely considered Mozart’s greatest achievement, eighteenth century audiences in Vienna— Mozart’s own city— were ambivalent at best. The opera mixed traditions of moralism with those of comedy — a practice heretofore unknown among the composer’s works— resulting in a production that was not well-liked by conservative Viennese audiences. Meanwhile, however, Don Giovanni was performed to much acclaim throughout Europe.


2. The author mentions the mixing of “traditions of moralism with those of comedy” primarily in order to

(A) explain a work’s lackluster reception among a particular group of people. Correct.
(B) remind the reader of the plot of Don Giovanni
(C) highlight a practice common in contemporary opera
(D) argue for an innovative approach to opera
(E) undermine a previously presented assertion

relevant lines from the passage:

The opera mixed traditions of moralism with those of comedy — a practice heretofore unknown among the composer’s works— resulting in a production that was not well-liked by conservative Viennese audiences.


3. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following is true about the response of Viennese audiences to Don Giovanni?

(A) The audiences preferred purely moralistic works.
(B) The response was unequivocally positive.
(C) They did not know that the composer was attempting to mix musical styles.
(D) The play’s moral themes were offensive to Viennese audiences.
(E) They preferred operas that followed existing stylistic conventions. Correct.

The opera mixed traditions of moralism with those of comedy — a practice heretofore unknown among the composer’s works— resulting in a production that was not well-liked by conservative Viennese audiences.