Question

Read the following passage and answer the questions.

Meanwhile, in Africa, the Arabs had been playing an instrument called the al-ud, or 'the wood,’ for centuries. When the Moors crossed the Straits of Gibraltar in the twelfth century to conquer Spain, they brought this instrument with them. It quickly became popular, and by the time anybody who spoke English was talking about it, al-ud had become lute….The Moorish artistic influence, blowing the cobwebs away from the stodgy Spanish art and society, created an artistic climate that encouraged music to flourish. And so, the instruments on which the music was played flourished as well, and continued to evolve and improve. This is a contribution that cannot be overstated." The section "…created an artistic climate that encouraged music to flourish. And so the instruments on which the music was played flourished as well" is an example of_______
a) anecdotal evidence
b) musical evidence
c) logical evidence
d) empirical evidence

Answer 1

The passage suggests that the Moors' influence in Spain created a conducive atmosphere for music, which is an example of logical evidence. It links the cultural exchange from the Arab invasion to the evolution of musical instruments and practices.

Step-by-step explanation:

The passage's section "...created an artistic climate that encouraged music to flourish. And so the instruments on which the music was played flourished as well" is an example of logical evidence. This type of evidence provides a rational argument for the contribution of Moorish influence to the flourishing of music and musical instruments in Spain. The text argues that the introduction of the al-ud, brought by the Moors, and the subsequent cultural exchange and intermingling, ultimately created an environment that was conducive to musical innovation and evolution.

This cultural interaction and blossoming of music have roots in the historical context of the Arab invasion and the establishment of Al-Andalus, which includes the impact on agriculture, trade expansion, and artistic patronage by the taifa kings and various dynasties like the Almoravids and Almohads.