Question
In the early 1900s, classical ballet was the dominant dance form in America, but many dancers found its rules physically and emotionally limiting. This led to the rise of modern dance, which focused on freedom, creativity, and self-expression. Dancers could move in new ways, tell stories through movement, and connect emotionally with audiences. Two of the most influential figures in modern dance were Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey. Martha Graham's career lasted over 70 years. She choreographed powerful works that expressed emotions like grief, strength, and joy. Many of her pieces, such as Chronicle and Appalachian Spring, reflected themes from American history and Greek mythology. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976 for her impact on American culture. Alvin Ailey founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958. His goal was to celebrate the experiences of African Americans through dance. His most famous work, Revelations, traced a journey from slavery to freedom and continues to be performed today. Ailey believed that dance could tell powerful stories, and he used it to inspire pride, courage, and connection. In 2014, President Obama posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Practice Questions – Modern Dance
1. What is the central idea of the passage? Click or tap here to enter text.
2. How did Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey use dance to express culture and history? Click or tap here to enter text.
3. What clues help you infer that both dancers had a lasting impact on America? Click or tap here to enter text.
4. Summarize the passage in 2-3 sentences using your own words. Click or tap here to enter text.
Practice Questions – Modern Dance
1. What is the central idea of the passage? Click or tap here to enter text.
2. How did Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey use dance to express culture and history? Click or tap here to enter text.
3. What clues help you infer that both dancers had a lasting impact on America? Click or tap here to enter text.
4. Summarize the passage in 2-3 sentences using your own words. Click or tap here to enter text.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
1. The central idea of the passage is that modern dance emerged in response to the limitations of classical ballet, with innovators like Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey using the form to express deep emotional, cultural, and historical narratives.
2. Martha Graham used dance to reflect American history and Greek mythology, creating emotionally powerful works that conveyed themes of grief, strength, and joy. Similarly, Alvin Ailey celebrated African American experiences through dance, creating pieces like "Revelations" that portrayed the journey from slavery to freedom and highlighted themes of pride and courage.
3. Clues that indicate both dancers had a lasting impact on America include their long careers and significant achievements, such as Martha Graham's over 70 years of choreographic work and her receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976, along with Alvin Ailey's founding of a major dance theater and being awarded the same honor in 2014. Their enduring works continue to be performed and appreciated, underscoring their influence on American culture.
4. The passage discusses the emergence of modern dance as a reaction against the constraints of classical ballet, highlighting the contributions of Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey. Graham's choreography focused on emotional expression and historical themes, while Ailey aimed to illuminate the African American experience through dance, with both artists receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom for their cultural impact.
2. Martha Graham used dance to reflect American history and Greek mythology, creating emotionally powerful works that conveyed themes of grief, strength, and joy. Similarly, Alvin Ailey celebrated African American experiences through dance, creating pieces like "Revelations" that portrayed the journey from slavery to freedom and highlighted themes of pride and courage.
3. Clues that indicate both dancers had a lasting impact on America include their long careers and significant achievements, such as Martha Graham's over 70 years of choreographic work and her receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1976, along with Alvin Ailey's founding of a major dance theater and being awarded the same honor in 2014. Their enduring works continue to be performed and appreciated, underscoring their influence on American culture.
4. The passage discusses the emergence of modern dance as a reaction against the constraints of classical ballet, highlighting the contributions of Martha Graham and Alvin Ailey. Graham's choreography focused on emotional expression and historical themes, while Ailey aimed to illuminate the African American experience through dance, with both artists receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom for their cultural impact.