Question 121·Easy·Command of Evidence
Lila’s Song is a 2008 memoir in which Lila Moreno reflects on her childhood passion for music. The author cites several childhood experiences as evidence that she was determined from an early age to become a professional musician: _____
Which quotation from Lila’s Song most effectively supports the claim?
For command-of-evidence Reading & Writing questions, first restate the claim in your own words and underline its key ideas (for example, “determined,” “from an early age,” “professional musician”). Then scan each answer choice and ask: (1) Does this directly relate to the topic of the claim? (2) Does it clearly show the key ideas (such as strong effort and a specific goal), not just something vaguely related? Eliminate answers that are only loosely connected or that miss part of the claim, and choose the one that best and most specifically illustrates all parts of the statement.
Hints
Focus on the exact claim
Underline the words “determined,” “from an early age,” and “professional musician” in the question. Your chosen quote must clearly connect to all three ideas, not just one of them.
Look for effort, not just interest
Ask yourself for each option: does this show Lila working hard or practicing music, or does it only show that she likes music or notices it?
Check for a future goal
Which choice, if any, suggests that Lila is thinking about a future career or big performances, not just enjoying music in the moment?
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand the claim that needs support
The question says the author cites experiences as evidence that she was determined from an early age to become a professional musician. That claim has two key parts:
- She was determined (serious effort, persistence, strong intention).
- She wanted to be a professional musician (a clear goal of performing as a career, not just enjoying music).
Translate the claim into what the evidence should look like
A quotation that supports this claim should show:
- Lila doing something with sustained effort or practice, not just casually.
- A clear future goal related to performing or making music as a job, not just liking music.
Keep these two ideas in mind as you compare the choices.
Evaluate each option against both parts of the claim
Check each choice:
- Does it show hard work or persistence (evidence of determination)?
- Does it show a specific ambition to perform music professionally (not just listening or playing for fun)?
Eliminate any answer that misses either of these two parts.
Select the choice that shows hard practice and a professional goal
Only one option shows Lila practicing intensely at a young age and imagining a future performing in a professional setting. That quotation is: “Even at six, I spent whole afternoons repeating scales, certain that one day my playing would echo across grand concert halls.” This directly supports that she was determined early on to become a professional musician, so it is the correct answer.