PP1 (Shorter) Verbal Section 2 (Hard) Q9

Understanding this Question Type

This is a Negative Factual, or Negative Detail, question, as indicated by the phrases "The passage states" and the word "EXCEPT." In this type of question, we identify and eliminate all of TRUE answers, of which there are four. We select the remaining answer choice, the "last man standing," which is either contradicted by the passage or has no evidence that allows us to claim it is true. As such, we should start with the wrong answers for this question type.

The Wrong Answers

• A - jazz works: The passage clearly identifies Johnson as a "jazz composer," so this answer choice is true.

• B - popular songs: The passage has evidence stating "Johson's own popular songs," so this answer choice is true.

• C - symphonic music: The passage has evidence stating "composing symphonic music," so this answer choice is true.

• E - blues pieces: The passage clearly identifies Johnson as an "important blues composer," so this answer choice is true.

The Right Answer

The last answer choice standing is D, spirituals. The passage does say that Johson "borrowed" from spirituals, but it never informs us if he actually composed them.