Comprehension
This passage was written in 1984.
It is now possible to hear a recording of Caruso’s singing that is far superior to any made during his lifetime. A decades-old wax-cylinder recording of this great operatic tenor has been digitized, and the digitized signal has been processed by computer to remove the extraneous sound, or ”noise,” introduced by the now ”ancient” wax-cylinder recording process. Although this digital technique needs improvement, it represents a new and superior way of recording and processing sound which overcomes many of the limitations of analog recording. In analog recording systems, the original sound is represented as a continuous waveform created by variations in the sound’s amplitude over time. When analog playback systems reproduce this waveform, however, they invariably introduce distortions. First, the waveform produced during playback differs somewhat from the original waveform. Second, the medium that stores the analog recording creates noise during playback which gets added to the recorded sounds. ... as long as the numbers remain recognizable, the original waveform will be reconstructed with little loss in quality. However, because the waveform is continuous, while its digital representation is composed of discrete numbers, it is impossible for digital systems to avoid some distortion. One kind of distortion, called ”sampling error,” occurs if the sound is sampled (i.e., its amplitude is measured) too infrequently, so that the amplitude changes more than one quantum (the smallest change in amplitude measured by the digital system) between samplings. In effect, the sound is changing too quickly for the system to record it accurately. A second form of distortion is ”quantizing error,” which arises when the amplitude being measured is not a whole number of quanta, forcing the digital recorder to round off. Over the long term, these errors are random, and the noise produced (a background buzzing) is similar to analog noise except that it only occurs when recorded sounds are being reproduced.
It is now possible to hear a recording of Caruso’s singing that is far superior to any made during his lifetime. A decades-old wax-cylinder recording of this great operatic tenor has been digitized, and the digitized signal has been processed by computer to remove the extraneous sound, or ”noise,” introduced by the now ”ancient” wax-cylinder recording process. Although this digital technique needs improvement, it represents a new and superior way of recording and processing sound which overcomes many of the limitations of analog recording. In analog recording systems, the original sound is represented as a continuous waveform created by variations in the sound’s amplitude over time. When analog playback systems reproduce this waveform, however, they invariably introduce distortions. First, the waveform produced during playback differs somewhat from the original waveform. Second, the medium that stores the analog recording creates noise during playback which gets added to the recorded sounds. ... as long as the numbers remain recognizable, the original waveform will be reconstructed with little loss in quality. However, because the waveform is continuous, while its digital representation is composed of discrete numbers, it is impossible for digital systems to avoid some distortion. One kind of distortion, called ”sampling error,” occurs if the sound is sampled (i.e., its amplitude is measured) too infrequently, so that the amplitude changes more than one quantum (the smallest change in amplitude measured by the digital system) between samplings. In effect, the sound is changing too quickly for the system to record it accurately. A second form of distortion is ”quantizing error,” which arises when the amplitude being measured is not a whole number of quanta, forcing the digital recorder to round off. Over the long term, these errors are random, and the noise produced (a background buzzing) is similar to analog noise except that it only occurs when recorded sounds are being reproduced.
Question: 1
According to the passage, one of the ways in which analog recording systems differ from digital recording systems is that analog systems...
According to the passage, one of the ways in which analog recording systems differ from digital recording systems is that analog systems...
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For "according to the passage" questions, stick strictly to the information provided. The correct answer is often a direct paraphrase or a stated fact from the text. Avoid making inferences or using outside knowledge. Identify the key contrast the author is making between the two subjects.
Updated On: Sep 30, 2025
- Can be used to reduce background noise in old recordings.
- Record the original sound as a continuous waveform.
- Distort the original sound somewhat.
- Can avoid introducing extraneous and nonmusical sounds.
- Can reconstruct the original waveform with little loss in quality.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for a specific difference between analog and digital recording systems as described in the passage. We need to find a statement that is true for analog systems but not for digital systems, based on the text.
Step 2: Analyzing the Passage for Key Differences:
The passage states:
- For analog systems: "In analog recording systems, the original sound is represented as a continuous waveform..."
- For digital systems: "...its digital representation is composed of discrete numbers..."
This establishes a clear difference in how the sound is represented.
Step 3: Evaluating the Options:
(A) Can be used to reduce background noise in old recordings. The passage describes digital systems being used for this purpose ("processed by computer to remove the extraneous sound"), not analog systems. This is incorrect.
(B) Record the original sound as a continuous waveform. This directly quotes the description of analog systems in the passage. The passage contrasts this with digital systems using "discrete numbers". This is a key difference and is correct.
(C) Distort the original sound somewhat. The passage mentions that analog systems "invariably introduce distortions". However, it also states, "...it is impossible for digital systems to avoid some distortion." Since both systems cause distortion, this is a similarity, not a primary difference highlighted in the text.
(D) Can avoid introducing extraneous and nonmusical sounds. The passage explicitly states the opposite for analog systems: "...the medium that stores the analog recording creates noise during playback...". This is incorrect.
(E) Can reconstruct the original waveform with little loss in quality. The passage attributes this quality to digital systems: "...the original waveform will be reconstructed with little loss in quality." This is incorrect for analog.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The most accurate difference described in the passage is that analog systems record sound as a continuous waveform. This matches option (B).
The question asks for a specific difference between analog and digital recording systems as described in the passage. We need to find a statement that is true for analog systems but not for digital systems, based on the text.
Step 2: Analyzing the Passage for Key Differences:
The passage states:
- For analog systems: "In analog recording systems, the original sound is represented as a continuous waveform..."
- For digital systems: "...its digital representation is composed of discrete numbers..."
This establishes a clear difference in how the sound is represented.
Step 3: Evaluating the Options:
(A) Can be used to reduce background noise in old recordings. The passage describes digital systems being used for this purpose ("processed by computer to remove the extraneous sound"), not analog systems. This is incorrect.
(B) Record the original sound as a continuous waveform. This directly quotes the description of analog systems in the passage. The passage contrasts this with digital systems using "discrete numbers". This is a key difference and is correct.
(C) Distort the original sound somewhat. The passage mentions that analog systems "invariably introduce distortions". However, it also states, "...it is impossible for digital systems to avoid some distortion." Since both systems cause distortion, this is a similarity, not a primary difference highlighted in the text.
(D) Can avoid introducing extraneous and nonmusical sounds. The passage explicitly states the opposite for analog systems: "...the medium that stores the analog recording creates noise during playback...". This is incorrect.
(E) Can reconstruct the original waveform with little loss in quality. The passage attributes this quality to digital systems: "...the original waveform will be reconstructed with little loss in quality." This is incorrect for analog.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The most accurate difference described in the passage is that analog systems record sound as a continuous waveform. This matches option (B).
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Question: 2
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about the digital approach to the processing of sound?
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about the digital approach to the processing of sound?
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In inference questions, look for an answer choice that is not explicitly stated but is strongly suggested by the text. A good inference is a logical extension of the facts given. Eliminate choices that are directly contradicted by the passage or are not supported by any information in the text.
Updated On: Sep 30, 2025
- It was developed in competition with wax-cylinder recording technology.
- It has resulted in the first distortion-free playback system.
- It has been extensively applied to nonmusical sounds.
- It cannot yet process music originally recorded on analog equipment.
- It is not yet capable of reprocessing old recordings in a completely distortion-free manner.
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The Correct Option is
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks us to make a reasonable inference about the digital approach based on the information given in the passage. An inference is a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning, not a directly stated fact.
Step 2: Analyzing the Passage for Clues about Digital Technology:
The passage provides several key details about the digital approach:
- It is a "new and superior way of recording".
- "this digital technique needs improvement".
- "...it is impossible for digital systems to avoid some distortion."
- It describes specific digital distortions: "sampling error" and "quantizing error".
- The passage was written in 1984, which provides context for the state of the technology being described.
Step 3: Evaluating the Options:
(A) It was developed in competition with wax-cylinder recording technology. The passage describes processing a "decades-old wax-cylinder recording". This implies wax-cylinder technology is much older, and digital technology came much later. They were not contemporaries in competition. This is incorrect.
(B) It has resulted in the first distortion-free playback system. This is directly contradicted by the passage, which states "...it is impossible for digital systems to avoid some distortion" and details the types of errors. This is incorrect.
(C) It has been extensively applied to nonmusical sounds. The passage's only example is Caruso's singing, which is musical. There is no information to support an inference about its application to nonmusical sounds. This is unsupported.
(D) It cannot yet process music originally recorded on analog equipment. The very first sentence describes exactly this: processing a wax-cylinder (an analog format) recording of Caruso's singing. This is incorrect.
(E) It is not yet capable of reprocessing old recordings in a completely distortion-free manner. This is a strong inference supported by multiple points in the text: the technique "needs improvement," it's "impossible" to "avoid some distortion," and specific errors like "sampling error" and "quantizing error" exist. Therefore, it cannot be completely distortion-free. This is the correct inference.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The passage clearly indicates that the digital process, while superior, is not perfect and still introduces its own forms of distortion. This supports the inference in option (E).
The question asks us to make a reasonable inference about the digital approach based on the information given in the passage. An inference is a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning, not a directly stated fact.
Step 2: Analyzing the Passage for Clues about Digital Technology:
The passage provides several key details about the digital approach:
- It is a "new and superior way of recording".
- "this digital technique needs improvement".
- "...it is impossible for digital systems to avoid some distortion."
- It describes specific digital distortions: "sampling error" and "quantizing error".
- The passage was written in 1984, which provides context for the state of the technology being described.
Step 3: Evaluating the Options:
(A) It was developed in competition with wax-cylinder recording technology. The passage describes processing a "decades-old wax-cylinder recording". This implies wax-cylinder technology is much older, and digital technology came much later. They were not contemporaries in competition. This is incorrect.
(B) It has resulted in the first distortion-free playback system. This is directly contradicted by the passage, which states "...it is impossible for digital systems to avoid some distortion" and details the types of errors. This is incorrect.
(C) It has been extensively applied to nonmusical sounds. The passage's only example is Caruso's singing, which is musical. There is no information to support an inference about its application to nonmusical sounds. This is unsupported.
(D) It cannot yet process music originally recorded on analog equipment. The very first sentence describes exactly this: processing a wax-cylinder (an analog format) recording of Caruso's singing. This is incorrect.
(E) It is not yet capable of reprocessing old recordings in a completely distortion-free manner. This is a strong inference supported by multiple points in the text: the technique "needs improvement," it's "impossible" to "avoid some distortion," and specific errors like "sampling error" and "quantizing error" exist. Therefore, it cannot be completely distortion-free. This is the correct inference.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The passage clearly indicates that the digital process, while superior, is not perfect and still introduces its own forms of distortion. This supports the inference in option (E).
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