While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Musicians around the world have used protest songs to raise...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Musicians around the world have used protest songs to raise awareness about human rights violations.
- US folk singer Aunt Molly Jackson released the protest song 'Poor Miner's Farewell' in 1932.
- It exposed the unlivable wages and dangerous working conditions coal miners faced in Kentucky during the 1920s and 1930s.
- South African singer-songwriter Hugh Masekela released the protest song 'Bring Him Back Home' in 1987.
- It called on the South African government to free Nelson Mandela, an anti-apartheid leader who'd been unjustly imprisoned.
The student wants to contrast the song 'Poor Miner's Farewell' with the song 'Bring Him Back Home.' Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
The songs 'Poor Miner's Farewell' and 'Bring Him Back Home' both raised awareness about human rights violations.
While both are protest songs, 'Poor Miner's Farewell' is about coal miners in Kentucky, whereas 'Bring Him Back Home' is about the anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela.
Hugh Masekela's song 'Bring Him Back Home,' released in 1987, called on the South African government to free Nelson Mandela.
Released in 1932 by Aunt Molly Jackson, the song 'Poor Miner's Farewell' was a protest against the unlivable wages and dangerous working conditions faced by Kentucky coal miners.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Musicians around the world have used protest songs to raise awareness about human rights violations.' |
|
| 'US folk singer Aunt Molly Jackson released the protest song 'Poor Miner's Farewell' in 1932.' |
|
| 'It exposed the unlivable wages and dangerous working conditions coal miners faced in Kentucky during the 1920s and 1930s.' |
|
| 'South African singer-songwriter Hugh Masekela released the protest song 'Bring Him Back Home' in 1987.' |
|
| 'It called on the South African government to free Nelson Mandela, an anti-apartheid leader who'd been unjustly imprisoned.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Musicians use protest songs to address human rights violations, demonstrated through two examples from different contexts.
Argument Flow: General concept followed by two specific examples showing different applications of protest music.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to find the choice that most effectively contrasts the two songs using information from the notes. The key word is 'contrast' - we need to show differences, not similarities.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that acknowledges both songs but highlights their different subjects or approaches.
Any limiting keywords? 'contrast' is the critical limiting keyword - we must show differences, not similarities.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- To effectively contrast these songs, the answer should acknowledge they are both protest songs but highlight their different subjects: coal miners' working conditions versus Nelson Mandela's imprisonment
The songs 'Poor Miner's Farewell' and 'Bring Him Back Home' both raised awareness about human rights violations.
- Shows similarity rather than contrast - opposite of what's asked
While both are protest songs, 'Poor Miner's Farewell' is about coal miners in Kentucky, whereas 'Bring Him Back Home' is about the anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela.
- Acknowledges both are protest songs then contrasts their different subjects using specific details from the notes
Hugh Masekela's song 'Bring Him Back Home,' released in 1987, called on the South African government to free Nelson Mandela.
- Only describes one song, cannot create contrast
Released in 1932 by Aunt Molly Jackson, the song 'Poor Miner's Farewell' was a protest against the unlivable wages and dangerous working conditions faced by Kentucky coal miners.
- Only describes one song, cannot create contrast