But where did music, at its core, first come from? It’s a puzzling question that may not have a definitive answer. One researcher, however, has proposed that the key to understanding the origin of music is nestled snugly in the loving bond between mother and child. In a lecture at the University of Melbourne, Richard Parncutt, an Australian-born professor of systematic musicology, endorsed the idea that music originally spawned from ‘motherese’ – the playful voices mothers adopt when speaking to and toddlers.
As the theory goes, an increased human brain size caused by evolutionary changes occurring between one and 2,000,000 years ago resulted in earlier births, more fragile infants and a need for stronger relationships between mothers and their new born babies. According to Parncutt, who is based at the University of Graz in Austria, ‘motherese’ arose as a way to strengthen this maternal bond and to help an infant’s survival.
Result:
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Correct answer: reflects
Explanation: The verb 'reflects' is used here to indicate that music serves as a mirror of our identities. It fits grammatically as it agrees with the subject 'music' and contextually conveys the idea that our musical preferences reveal who we are.
Meaning: To 'reflect' means to show or demonstrate something, in this case, our identities through music.
Wrong options:
- protect: The verb 'protect' means to keep safe from harm, which does not fit the context of describing how music relates to identity.
- individuals: The noun 'individuals' refers to single persons, which does not fit grammatically as it does not relate to the action of music reflecting identity.
- leading: The adjective 'leading' describes something that is at the forefront, which does not fit as it does not relate to the action of music.
- infants: The noun 'infants' refers to very young children, which does not fit as it does not relate to the action of music reflecting identity.
- children: The noun 'children' refers to young persons, which does not fit grammatically as it does not relate to the action of music reflecting identity.
- critical: The adjective 'critical' means essential or crucial, which does not fit as it does not relate to the action of music reflecting identity.
Correct answer: leading
Explanation: The adjective 'leading' describes the researcher as one who is at the forefront of their field. It fits grammatically as it modifies 'researcher' and contextually indicates that this person is prominent in music research.
Meaning: 'Leading' refers to someone who is at the top or forefront in a particular field or area.
Wrong options:
- protect: The verb 'protect' means to keep safe from harm, which does not fit as it does not describe a type of researcher.
- reflects: The verb 'reflects' does not fit here as it does not describe a researcher but rather an action related to music.
- infants: The noun 'infants' does not fit as it does not describe a researcher and is unrelated to the context of research.
- children: The noun 'children' does not fit as it does not describe a researcher and is unrelated to the context of research.
- critical: The adjective 'critical' means essential, which does not fit as it does not describe a type of researcher.
- individuals: The noun 'individuals' refers to single persons, which does not fit as it does not describe a researcher.
Correct answer: infants
Explanation: The noun 'infants' refers to very young children, which fits grammatically as it serves as the object of the verb 'speaking' and contextually aligns with the discussion of 'motherese' directed towards young children.
Meaning: 'Infants' are very young children, typically under one year old.
Wrong options:
- protect: The verb 'protect' does not fit as it does not refer to a group of young children and is unrelated to the context of 'motherese.'
- children: The noun 'children' refers to young persons but is broader than 'infants' and does not fit the specific context of 'motherese' which is directed at very young children.
- leading: The adjective 'leading' does not fit as it does not refer to a group of young children and is unrelated to the context of 'motherese.'
- individuals: The noun 'individuals' refers to single persons, which does not fit as it does not specifically refer to young children.
- critical: The adjective 'critical' means essential, which does not fit as it does not refer to a group of young children.
- reflects: The verb 'reflects' does not fit as it does not refer to a group of young children and is unrelated to the context of 'motherese.'
Correct answer: critical
Explanation: The adjective 'critical' describes the need as being essential or crucial. It fits grammatically as it modifies 'need' and contextually emphasizes the importance of strong relationships between mothers and their newborns.
Meaning: 'Critical' means essential or of great importance.
Wrong options:
- protect: The verb 'protect' does not fit as it does not describe the nature of the need and is unrelated to the context of relationships.
- infants: The noun 'infants' does not fit as it does not describe the nature of the need and is unrelated to the context of relationships.
- children: The noun 'children' does not fit as it does not describe the nature of the need and is unrelated to the context of relationships.
- leading: The adjective 'leading' does not fit as it does not describe the nature of the need and is unrelated to the context of relationships.
- individuals: The noun 'individuals' does not fit as it does not describe the nature of the need and is unrelated to the context of relationships.
- reflects: The verb 'reflects' does not fit as it does not describe the nature of the need and is unrelated to the context of relationships.
Correct answer: ensure
Explanation: The verb 'ensure' means to make certain that something happens. It fits grammatically as it serves as the main verb in the clause and contextually aligns with the idea of promoting an infant's survival.
Meaning: To 'ensure' means to make certain or guarantee something.
Wrong options:
- protect: The verb 'protect' means to keep safe from harm, which does not fit as it does not convey the idea of making certain for survival.
- infants: The noun 'infants' does not fit as it does not serve as a verb and is unrelated to the action of guaranteeing survival.
- children: The noun 'children' does not fit as it does not serve as a verb and is unrelated to the action of guaranteeing survival.
- leading: The adjective 'leading' does not fit as it does not serve as a verb and is unrelated to the action of guaranteeing survival.
- critical: The adjective 'critical' does not fit as it does not serve as a verb and is unrelated to the action of guaranteeing survival.
- reflects: The verb 'reflects' does not fit as it does not convey the action of making certain for survival.
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