Twentieth-Century Music, Modern Art & Consumer Health – Review

These Question-and-Answer flashcards review key points on twentieth-century music elements, Modern Art movements, and consumer-health literacy, helping students prepare for examinations on these lecture topics.

Why is twentieth-century music often called “eclectic”?

Because it draws on a broad, diverse range of styles, giving listeners many kinds of music to choose from.

Give five stylistic examples that illustrate the eclectic nature of 20th-century music.

Jazz, Rock, Hip-hop, Country, Classical, Reggae (any five).

In music, what is a melody?

A collection of musical tones grouped together as a single entity; most pieces contain several melodies.

How is 20th-century melodic contour usually described?

Angular, featuring wide leaps (disjunct progression) that make it hard to sing.

Define meter in music.

The recurring pattern that groups strong and weak beats.

Define rhythm in music.

The ever-changing pattern of longer and shorter sounds (and silences) that occurs over the meter.

What is tempo?

The speed of the beat—how fast or slow the music moves.

Name four rhythmic devices favored by 20th-century composers.

Unusual meter, unconventional (asymmetrical) meters, multimeter, polyrhythm.

What is an “unusual meter”?

A rarely used time signature such as 5/8 or 7/8, with unequal beat groupings.

Explain multimeter.

Frequent, rapid changes of time signature within a single composition.

What is meant by polyrhythm?

Two or more meters sounding simultaneously.

Provide the basic definition of harmony.

The blending of simultaneous sounds of different pitch that produces chords.

What is a chord?

A combination of three or more notes built from a root note.

Define chord progression.

A sequence of chords arranged to create harmonic movement.

Contrast consonance and dissonance.

Consonance sounds stable when notes are played together; dissonance creates tension that begs for resolution.

Define tonality in music.

Organization around a central pitch (tonic) and key.

What is atonality?

Music with no central key or tonic— all notes are treated equally.

What is polytonality?

Simultaneous use of two or more keys.

What texture predominates in 20th-century music?

Homophonic texture—one main melody supported by accompaniment.

State the date range commonly assigned to Modern Art.

Approximately 1870–1970.

Give two main characteristics of Modern Art compared with earlier art.

A move away from traditional/classical modes and increased experimentation/new perspectives.

List four factors that encouraged the rise of Modernism.

Industrial Revolution, gallery system, photography, Freud’s 1899 book ‘The Interpretation of Dreams.’

How did the Industrial Revolution influence Modern Art?

It exposed artists to new world views and ideas via rapid technological and social change.

Why did photography make painters question their role?

Because cameras could capture realistic images, pushing artists toward new, non-literal approaches.

What theme from Freud’s work inspired Modern artists?

Exploration of dreams, the unconscious, and symbolism.

Define Impressionism in visual art (1867–1886).

It portrayed everyday objects under changing light, capturing shifting color and momentary impressions.

What distinguishes Post-Impressionism (1880–1905) from Impressionism?

Artists went beyond mere imitation, emphasizing structure, emotion, or symbolic content.

What is Expressionism (1890-present)?

An art style that conveys the artist’s personal feelings about a subject rather than its outward appearance.

Summarize Cubism (1907-1922).

Depicts objects from multiple viewpoints and times, fragmenting forms into geometric shapes.

What was Dadaism’s main attitude?

Anti-art: intentionally shocking, emphasizing the idea over the finished object.

Describe Surrealism (1924-1966).

Art with dream-like imagery evoking subconscious thoughts, ranging from whimsical to nightmarish.

What characterizes Abstract Expressionism (1947-1965)?

Large, non-representational paintings; includes ‘action painting’ where paint is spontaneously dripped or splashed.

Explain the visual effect sought by Optical (Op) Art (1964-present).

Creates kinetic optical illusions that make static patterns appear to move.

As a health consumer, why rely on facts when making choices?

Facts help ensure safe, effective decisions and avoid misleading claims.

Name five reliable sources of health information.

World Health Organization, medical associations, academic medical centers, your healthcare provider, health libraries.

List three reasons reliable health sources are important.

Promote safety, support effective treatments, empower disease prevention (also avoid scams, reduce anxiety).

Define health products.

Substances, materials, or equipment manufactured for consumer purchase and used to maintain or improve health.

Why must consumers read package labels carefully?

Labels provide essential facts but may also use marketing terms (‘new,’ ‘improved’) that can mislead.

Give two examples of misleading label words.

“New,” “Better,” “Improved,” etc.

Define advertising.

Any form of recommending, praising, or calling public attention to a product or service.

State two main purposes of advertisements.

To spread awareness and to persuade consumers to choose or switch products.

True or False: All information presented in commercials is accurate.

False—advertisements may exaggerate or omit facts.

How can discerning facts from false claims affect self-esteem?

Knowing how to evaluate claims can increase confidence in one’s purchasing decisions.

What is the consumer’s first step toward wise health decisions?

Understanding health information through critical reading of labels and consulting credible sources.