Questions 1-9
The term "folk song" has been current for over a hundred years, but there is still a good deal of disagreement as to what it actually means. The definition provided by the International Folk Music Council states that folk music is the music of ordinary people, Line which is passed on from person to person by being listened to rather than learned from
(5) the printed page. Other factors that help shape a folk song include: continuity (many
performances over a number of years); variation (changes in words and melodies either
through artistic interpretation or failure of memory); and selection (the acceptance of a
song by the community in which it evolves).
When songs have been subjected to these processes their origin is usually impossible
(10) to trace. For instance, if a farm laborer were to make up a song and sing it to a-couple of friends who like it and memorize it, possibly when the friends come to sing it themselves one of them might forget some of the words and make up new ones to fill the gap, while" the other, perhaps more artistic, might add a few decorative touches to the tune and improve a couple of lines of text. If this happened a few times there would be many
(15) different versions, the song's original composer would be forgotten, and the song would become common property. This constant reshaping and re-creation is the essence of folk music. Consequently, modem popular songs and other published music, even though widely sung by people who are not professional musicians, are not considered folk music.
The music and words have been set by a printed or recorded source, limiting scope for
(20) further artistic creation. These songs' origins cannot be disguised and therefore they
belong primarily to the composer and not to a community.
The ideal situation for the creation of folk music is an isolated rural community. In
such a setting folk songs and dances have a special purpose at every stage in a person's
life, from childhood to death. Epic tales of heroic deeds, seasonal songs relating to
(25) calendar events, and occupational songs are also likely to be sung.
1. What does the passage mainly discuss?
(A) Themes commonly found in folk music
(B) Elements that define folk music
(C) Influences of folk music on popular music
(D) The standards of the International Folk Music Council
2. Which of the following statements about the term "folk song" is supported by the passage?
(A) It has been used for several centuries.
(B) The International Folk Music Council invented it.
(C) It is considered to be out-of-date.
(D) There is disagreement about its meaning.
3. The word "it" in line 8 refers to
(A) community
(B) song
(C) acceptance
(D) memory
