One Reason why European Music has had Such a Strong Influence Throughout the World

Question: One reason why European music has had such a strong influence throughout the world, and why it is a sophisticated achievement, is that over time the original function of the music—whether ritual, dance, or worship—gradually became an aspect of its style, not its defining force. Dance music could stand independent of dance, for example, and sacred music independent of religious worship, because each composition has so much internal coherence that the music ultimately depends on nothing but itself.

The claims made above are compatible with each of the following EXCEPT:

(A) African music has had a more powerful impact on the world than European music has had.
(B) European military and economic expansionism partially explains the global influence of European music.
(C) The original functions of many types of Chinese music are no longer their defining forces.
(D) Music that is unintelligible when it is presented independently of its original function tends to be the most sophisticated music.
(E) Some works of art lose their appeal when they are presented to serve a function other than their original one.

Answer: D
Explanation:

A GMAT Critical Reasoning section comprises some facts and statements. GMAT critical reasoning tests the reasoning, logical and analytical thinking abilities of the candidate. The candidate has to deduce the correct option by finding the logically correct argument or by eliminating the irrelevant arguments.

The statement states - One reason why European music has had such a strong influence throughout the world, and why it is a sophisticated achievement, is that over time the original function of the music—whether ritual, dance or worship—gradually became an aspect of its style, not its defining force. Dance music could stand independent of dance, for example, and sacred music independent of religious worship, because each composition has so much internal coherence that the music ultimately depends on nothing but itself.

The claims made above are compatible with each of the following EXCEPT:

1. No mention is made of the relative popularity of European and African music. African music could be extremely popular and the reasons for European music's popularity would stand unchallenged. Wrong answer.
2. It suggests the existence of another factor that contributed to the popularity of European music. The passage says that ONE of the reasons is blah blah blah, not THE ONLY reason, therefore B is compatible with the passage. Wrong answer.
3. It describes the changes in Chinese music without mentioning the effect of such changes, therefore it does not contradict the passage. Wrong answer.
4. It says that music that becomes unintelligible when separated from its original function is the most sophisticated type, but the passage says that European music, which is highly sophisticated, is internally coherent, hence intelligible, even when detached from its original function. This statement contradicts the passage. Right answer.
5. It contradicts the idea exposed in the statement but with no direct reference to music. The statement could hold true for all forms of art except music and the passage would still be valid. Wrong answer.

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