Loading question...
You are in free guest mode. Timed Practice Revision List Attempt History Progress Tracking Create a free account to unlock these tools
Back to Questions
Prev Next
Practice Listening: Multiple Choice, Single Answer ID: #39019 Medium Piano
Instructions ›
Listen to the recording and answer the multiple-choice question by selecting the correct response. Only one response is correct.

Transcript:

The piano was invented by a harpsichord builder named Bartolomeo Cristofori in Florence, Italy. The, um, harpsichord is an instrument that is similar to the piano... it has a keyboard, too. But you don't really need to know about that. OK, when pianos were first invented, only royalty could afford them, right? It wasn't until the 1800s that they started becoming more common in households... well, in the households of the wealthy and upper middle class. But still... I think it probably had to do with the fact that the economy of Europe was changing a lot, especially in terms of, um, the distribution of wealth. By the 1800s, a country's riches weren't concentrated in the hands of the royalty—kings and queens. Instead, a lot of people throughout Europe were becoming wealthy, which meant that they had money to spend on luxury items, like pianos. OK... now I have a question for you all. As the piano became more common in households, what did it come to represent within European cultures?

What did the piano come to represent within European cultures as it became more common in households?

* Listen to the recording and select the correct answer

Result:

AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.
Option 4: "A luxury item for the wealthy and upper middle class"

Explanation: This option is correct as the text explicitly states that by the 1800s, pianos became more common in households, particularly among the wealthy and upper middle class, thus representing a luxury item in European cultures.

Option 1: "The shift in the distribution of wealth"

Explanation: While the text discusses the shift in wealth distribution, it does not state that the piano itself represented this shift. Instead, it highlights how the changing economy allowed more people to afford luxury items, including pianos.

Option 2: "The invention of the harpsichord"

Explanation: The text mentions the harpsichord only as a precursor to the piano and does not connect it to what the piano represented in European cultures. Therefore, this option is irrelevant to the question.

Option 3: "A symbol of royalty"

Explanation: Although the text notes that initially only royalty could afford pianos, it emphasizes that by the 1800s, pianos became more common among the wealthy and upper middle class, indicating a shift away from their royal association.

The rest of this explanation is for members. Sign in free to read why the other options are wrong, key words and tips.

Sign in to read the full explanation

With a free account: Retry and compare every attempt.
Be the first! No community answers here yet. Submit yours and help others learn.
Saving...