Reading Comprehension

PT157 · S4 · P1 · Q3 Motown

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Reading Comprehension question.

  • Save & drill this skill — build targeted practice sets from questions like this one

  • Video walkthroughs — watch every question solved step by step

  • 81 official LSATs — as questions, timed sections & full-length tests

Start practicing free

In 1959, Hitsville, USA—the company better known as Motown Records—was founded in Detroit, Michigan by Berry Gordy, Jr. Several factors contributed to Motown's rapidly becoming one of the most successful record companies in the United States.

Topic

Motown Records’ rapid rise to success and influence in American popular music.

Framework

Highlight Noteworthy

Main Point

Motown Records became a major force in popular music thanks to Berry Gordy’s innovative vision, Detroit’s deep pool of musically trained talent, and the early adoption of new musical technologies—factors that both defined and broadened the sound and appeal of Motown. (Most Valuable Sentence: Last sentence of the final paragraph, which sums up Motown's impact—)

P1: Introduction and Context

Motown Records was founded in Detroit in 1959 by Berry Gordy, Jr., whose leadership and Detroit’s rich musical community propelled the label to early success.

P2: Motown’s Independence and Strategy

Motown’s independent status let Gordy break with industry norms; he believed in reaching wide audiences directly with original performances, not relying on remakes by mainstream stars, and he prioritized technical quality.

P3: Importance of Detroit’s Musical Education

Detroit’s strong public school music programs, with roots in early 20th-century community leaders, produced many of the talented musicians, arrangers, and groups that formed Motown’s backbone.

3.

The passage provides information sufficient to answer which one of the following questions?

  1. Correct

    What musical innovation by African

    Why this is right

    In the final paragraph's 2nd and 3rd sentences, we learn that "African American musicians were among the first to use the electric bass, crafting a distinctive sound that inspired other musicians to experiment with this new musical technology. This experimentation ultimately led to a revolution in popular music."

    Skill tested: Five Questions · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.

    81% picked this

  2. What musical styles were favored

    Unsupported

    There aren't any musical styles mentioned in the passage. There also are not any facts about African American recording companies established before Motown.

    4% picked this

  3. How long after Hitsville, USA

    Unsupported

    From the first sentence of the passage, we know that Hitsville, USA was founded in 1959. And we know that it is better known as Motown records. That's it. We have no idea at what point after 1959 it started to become known as Motown.

    1% picked this

  4. Why did Berry Gordy, Jr.

    Contradicted

    We're told in the 2nd sentence of the 2nd paragraph that Gordy "rejected the practice that was common [among recording companies in the late 50's / early 60s]." We never hear that he insisted on following any standard practice. He's actually presented more as someone that went against the grain and innovated a different business model.

    8% picked this

  5. Why did E. Azalia Hackley

    Unsupported

    The 2nd sentence of the 3rd paragraph tells us that "Hackley adopted the musical education of African American youth as her personal mission". Why? The only possible clue would be that "she was a trained soprano", but the passage doesn't present any causal relationship there, and it's far from common sense to assume that "if you're a trained soprano, it makes sense to adopt the musical education of African American youth as your personal mission".

    5% picked this

Continue the review in LSAT Lab

Save this question, watch the video walkthrough, and drill similar questions in your LSAT Lab account.

Save and practice this skill
LSAT Lab

Turn this review into a targeted study plan.

Save this question, drill more like it, watch the video walkthrough, and track your progress in your LSAT Lab account.

Start practicing free