Question:

The goal of the author over the course of this passage is to:

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For “main goal” or “purpose” questions in reading comprehension, focus on:

the opening problem or question raised,
the author’s repeated emphasis or defence, and
how the passage concludes.
These usually reveal what the author is {really} trying to do.
Updated On: Jul 6, 2026
  • differentiate the modern composer from the nineteenth century composer.
  • differentiate between electronic music and other forms of music.
  • defend the “serious-minded composer” from Lejaren Hill and Stravinsky.
  • defend electronic music from certain common charges.
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The Correct Option is D

Approach Solution - 1

Approach: A "goal of the author" question is answered by the dominant rhetorical move of the whole passage, not by any single interesting detail. Track what the author keeps doing across paragraphs.

Step 1: The passage opens by raising the standard objections to electronic music \(-\) that it is not "real" music and that it is "inhuman." The author does not raise these to agree with them; they are set up as charges to be answered.

Step 2: Each later paragraph rebuts one charge. Stravinsky's definition of music as "speculation in terms of sound and time" is used to widen the definition so electronic sound qualifies. The "communication problem" paragraph explains that strange new terms are only a surface barrier, not proof that this is non-music. The composer's active role (manipulating, programming, shaping forms) answers the "inhuman" charge.

Step 3: The consistent direction is defensive \(-\) the author is shielding electronic music from criticism. That points straight to option 4.

Why the others fail:

Option 1 (modern vs nineteenth-century composer) is a contrast the author uses as a tool, not the destination. Option 2 (electronic vs other music) is again a means, used to show electronic music still counts as music, not the goal itself. Option 3 misreads the text \(-\) Stravinsky and Hill are invoked as support, not as attackers the author is defending against; nothing is defended "from" them.

Answer: defend electronic music from certain common charges.
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Approach Solution -2

Step 1: Identify the main concerns discussed in the passage. 
At the beginning, the author lists two common doubts about electronic music: whether it is music at all, and whether it is “inhuman”. These are clearly “charges” or objections raised against electronic music. 
Step 2: Observe how the author responds to these doubts. 
The author explains that: 
electronic music uses a new language and new forms, which creates a communication gap, and 
despite the machines involved, the human composer is still the one making all the creative decisions (collecting sounds, programming, choosing forms, etc.). 
Both points are meant to show that electronic music is understandable as music and is not inhuman. 
Step 3: Match this with the options. 

Option (1) mentions the difference between modern and nineteenth-century composers. This is referred to, but only as a supporting point, not the main goal. 
Option (2) speaks of differentiating between electronic and other music. The author does compare them, but again only to answer the objections. 
Option (3) is incorrect, because Lejaren Hiller and Stravinsky are cited as references, not as attackers. 
Option (4) correctly captures the overall purpose: the author aims to defend electronic music against the charges that it is not real music and that it is inhuman. 
Hence, the best answer is Option (4).

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