Question

Read the passage and then answer the question.
<1) The saxophone has been around for about 170 years. While other instruments, such as drums, guitars, and flutes, have existed for thousands of years, the saxophone is a relative newcomer to the world of music. It was invented in the 1840s by Adolphe Sax, a Belgian musician and instrument maker, to address a disparity in tone across sections of the orchestra. Sax had noted that brass instruments frequently overpowered the woodwinds, creating an unevenness in sound and tone.
<) Sax's solution was to create an instrument that would integrate aspects of the two orchestral sections. Namely, his new instrument, the saxophone, joined a brass-like body with a woodwind-like mouthpiece. It was suitable for both orchestras and military bands, making it a versatile choice for musicians and composers. The saxophone has grown in popularity over time and is now played around the world.
<) What is the meaning of relative as used in the passage?
familiar or popular
additional
in comparison to something else
of the same group; similar

Answer 1

"in comparison to something else" — here "relative newcomer" means the saxophone is new compared with much older instruments.