5752 Core Academic Skills for Educators — Praxis Core Math 5733 Exam 2057
Answer: E
They were entirely misguided.
The author suggests that the early reviews of Miles Davis' album Kind of Blue were misguided, as they described his playing in negative terms despite the album being recognized as a modern masterpiece by most viewers.
A) They were fair assessments for the time.
This option implies that the early reviews were appropriate and justifiable based on the context of that period. However, the passage indicates that most listeners quickly recognized the album's greatness, suggesting that the reviews were not fair assessments.
B) They were harsh but essentially correct.
This choice suggests that while the reviews were critical, they still had some truth to them. The passage, however, emphasizes that the majority of audiences viewed Kind of Blue positively, indicating that the reviews were not accurate reflections of the album's merit.
C) They were more positive than negative.
This option contradicts the author's view, as the early reviews described Davis' playing in a negative light. The passage explicitly states that most people recognized the album as a masterpiece, indicating that the reviews were not more positive.
D) They were consistent with later reviews.
This choice suggests continuity between the early and later reviews. The passage does not support this, as it highlights that the early reviews failed to capture the album's acclaim, while later perceptions recognized its status as a classic.
E) They were entirely misguided.
This option is correct as it aligns with the author's critique of the early reviews, which were described as missing the point entirely, given that most listeners acknowledged Kind of Blue's brilliance from the outset.
Conclusion
The author firmly believes that the early reviews of Kind of Blue were entirely misguided, as the prevailing opinion among listeners was one of admiration rather than criticism. All other options misinterpret the author's stance or misrepresent the overall reception of the album, which has remained largely positive over time.