Non-fiction: Classical Music – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Classical Music Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Mozart was born in 1756 in Germany. He would become one of the best composers to ever live. He was famous for his ability to write and play music before he was eight years old! As a three-year-old, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart already loved music. Nicknamed Wolfie for short, he would sit on the floor and listen to his father teach his older sister. She was learning to play the piano. When he heard notes or sounds that he liked, the boy would laugh and clap. When he heard notes and sounds that did not go together, he would cry. But he loved music and he loved to be around sounds. As soon as he could reach the keys, Wolfie started to play sounds. His father understood that Mozart was a very talented1 young musician. He began to teach his son. Wolfie was a fast learner and surprised everyone in his family and in his town. Before he was even five years old, Mozart learned his first complete composition.2 He learned this song in only 30 minutes! Before long, Mozart was writing his own music. He knew how to read and write music before he could read or write words! His first piece was very short. But Mozart did not stop there. He could not stop writing the songs that came to his head. Soon, word of this child prodigy3 spread. No one dreamed that anyone so young could play with so much skill! Mozart was invited to play all over Europe. He played for ambassadors,4 dukes, kings and an emperor. But he still acted like a little boy. Once, he went to play for the Empress of Austria. When he saw her he ran and jumped into her lap and hugged her just like she 1

talented – having natural ability composition - a written piece of music, especially one of considerable size and complexity 3 prodigy – a child with unusual abilities or talents 4 ambassador – an official of the highest rank who represents his or her government in another country 2

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Non-fiction: Classical Music – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

was his mother. The Empress liked Wolfie and was also impressed with his music. When he was eight years old, Mozart started writing music for other instruments besides the piano. Before long, he had written his first symphony. This work was only a small example of the great pieces to come! Mozart died when he was still very young on December 5, 1791. He was only 36 years old. More than 200 years later, Mozart is still known as one of the best composers ever.

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Questions: Classical Music – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Name: ___________________________

Date: ______________________

1. The fact that does not support the conclusion that Mozart was a child prodigy is: a. as soon as he could reach the piano keys, he started to play sounds b. he learned a song in only 30 minutes c. he started to write music for other instruments when he was eight years old d. he loved music and loved to be around sounds 2. What type of person did Mozart seem to be, according to the passage? a. b. c. d.

happy and incredibly intelligent spoiled and demanding lazy and unproductive ordinary, with a love of music

3. Which of the following events happened first? a. b. c. d.

Mozart wrote his first short composition. Mozart played for the Empress of Austria. Mozart wrote his first symphony. Mozart listened to his father teach his sister.

4. This passage would most likely be found in a a. b. c. d.

novel about Mozart. book of poetry about classical music. book of biographies of classical musicians. newspaper article from 1791.

5. Which of the following was not an accomplishment of Mozart mentioned in the passage? a. He wrote a symphony. b. He played the violin. c. He played the piano. d. He wrote music.

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Questions: Classical Music – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

6. Does the author seem to have a positive or a negative opinion of Mozart? Explain, using specific details from the text. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 7. The author of the passage explains that when Mozart went to play for the Empress of Austria, at age eight, she liked Mozart. What information from the passage helps you understand why the Empress might have liked Mozart? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Word of this child prodigy spread _________ no one dreamed that anyone so young could play with so much skill. a. furthermore b. soon c. consequently d. because 9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a fast learner and surprised everyone in his family and town by composing music at a young age. Who? Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (was) What? ______________________________________________________ (did) What? ______________________________________________________ How? ___________________________________________________________ 10. Vocabulary Word: ambassador: an official of the highest rank who represents his or her government in another country. Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: ________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 4 © 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.

Answers: Classical Music – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Teacher Guide and Answers Passage Reading Level: Lexile 710 Featured Text Structure: Descriptive – the writer explains, defines or illustrates a concept or topic Passage Summary: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Germany. When he was three years old his father realized he was unusually talented for a child his age. By the age of five he had begun writing his own music. He later traveled throughout Europe to perform for important people and royalty. 1. The fact that does not support the conclusion that Mozart was a child prodigy is: a. as soon as he could reach the piano keys, he started to play sounds b. he learned a song in only 30 minutes c. he started to write music for other instruments when he was eight years old d. he loved music and loved to be around sounds 2. What type of person did Mozart seem to be, according to the passage? a. happy and incredibly intelligent b. spoiled and demanding c. lazy and unproductive d. ordinary, with a love of music 3. Which of the following events happened first? a. Mozart wrote his first short composition. b. Mozart played for the Empress of Austria. c. Mozart wrote his first symphony. d. Mozart listened to his father teach his sister. 4. This passage would most likely be found in a a. novel about Mozart. b. book of poetry about classical music. c. book of biographies of classical musicians. d. newspaper article from 1791. 5. Which of the following was not an accomplishment of Mozart mentioned in the passage? a. He wrote a symphony. b. He played the violin. c. He played the piano. d. He wrote music.

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Answers: Classical Music – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

6. Does the author seem to have a positive or a negative opinion of Mozart? Explain, using specific details from the text. Suggested answer: The author seems to have a positive opinion of Mozart. A variety of details from the text are acceptable to support this answer, as long as the student points out some of the many positive words and phrases that the author uses to describe Mozart, such as, “fast learner”, “talented”, and “great pieces to come”. In addition, the author often uses exclamation points when describing Mozart’s accomplishments, showing that the author is impressed by these accomplishments or thinks they are worth noticing. 7. The author of the passage explains that when Mozart went to play for the Empress of Austria, at age eight, she liked Mozart. What information from the passage helps you understand why the Empress might have liked Mozart? Suggested answer: The author explains that Mozart was a child prodigy, a uniquely talented child. The Empress most likely would have been impressed with the way he played the piano. The passage also explains that he was friendly. For example, he jumped on to the Empress’ lap when he saw her. 8. The question below is an incomplete sentence. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. Word of this child prodigy spread _________ no one dreamed that anyone so young could play with so much skill. a. furthermore b. soon c. consequently d. because 9. Answer the following questions based on the sentence below. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was a fast learner and surprised everyone in his family and town by composing music at a young age. Who? Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (was) What? a fast learner (did) What? surprised everyone in his family and town How? by composing music at a young age 10. Vocabulary Word: ambassador: an official of the highest rank who represents his or her government in another country. Use the vocabulary word in a sentence: answers may vary.

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