Philadelphia's Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, founded by Jeri Lynne Johnson, performs classical music, from well-known compositions by Beethoven to co...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Philadelphia's Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, founded by Jeri Lynne Johnson, performs classical music, from well-known compositions by Beethoven to contemporary works by Jessie Montgomery. For the orchestra's iConduct! program, Johnson invites community members to learn some basic elements of conducting and then experience conducting the Black Pearl orchestra themselves.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
The Black Pearl orchestra performs music from all over the world but mostly performs music composed by Philadelphians.
Johnson founded the Black Pearl orchestra to perform classical music by contemporary artist Jessie Montgomery.
The Black Pearl orchestra gives community members the chance to both listen to and participate in classical music performance.
Johnson has community members conduct an orchestra to demonstrate how difficult the task is.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Philadelphia's Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, founded by Jeri Lynne Johnson, performs classical music, from well-known compositions by Beethoven to contemporary works by Jessie Montgomery." |
|
| "For the orchestra's iConduct! program, Johnson invites community members to learn some basic elements of conducting and then experience conducting the Black Pearl orchestra themselves." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Visual Structure Map:
[ORCHESTRA INTRODUCTION] - Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra - Founded by Jeri Lynne Johnson - Performs classical music (Beethoven to Montgomery) → [COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM] - iConduct! program - Community members learn conducting - Get to conduct the orchestra
Main Point: The Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra both performs classical music and actively engages community members by teaching them to conduct the orchestra.
Argument Flow: The passage first establishes what the Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra is and what kind of music it performs, then describes how it goes beyond just performing by involving community members as active participants through its conducting program.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The main idea of the entire text.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that captures the central message or primary focus of the passage.
Any limiting keywords? "Main idea" means we need the overarching point, not a detail.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer should capture both key elements: first, that this is a classical music orchestra that performs various works, and second, that it has a special program that lets community members actually participate by learning to conduct
- The main idea combines performance with community engagement
The Black Pearl orchestra performs music from all over the world but mostly performs music composed by Philadelphians.
- Claims they perform music "from all over the world" but the passage only mentions classical music from Beethoven to Montgomery
- States they "mostly perform music composed by Philadelphians" but only mentions one contemporary composer with no indication she's from Philadelphia
- Completely ignores the iConduct! program
Johnson founded the Black Pearl orchestra to perform classical music by contemporary artist Jessie Montgomery.
- Says the orchestra was founded specifically "to perform classical music by contemporary artist Jessie Montgomery"
- This is too narrow - Montgomery is mentioned as just one example alongside Beethoven
- Completely misses the community engagement aspect
The Black Pearl orchestra gives community members the chance to both listen to and participate in classical music performance.
- Captures both major elements: community members get to "listen to" (the orchestra performs) and "participate in" (the iConduct! program) classical music
- Matches our prethinking perfectly
Johnson has community members conduct an orchestra to demonstrate how difficult the task is.
- Suggests the purpose is "to demonstrate how difficult the task is"
- This contradicts the passage's tone, which presents the program as an opportunity for community members to "experience conducting"