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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In Chapter 8, in George Martin's layer cake metaphor, what was the third layer in a four-track recording?
(a) Rhythm, such as drums and bass.
(b) The lead voice.
(c) Harmonies, such as piano or guitar.
(d) Extra bits, called sweetening.

2. What password did the Beatles invent, to warn each other about dubious fans approaching?
(a) Cripples.
(b) Gizmo.
(c) Meanies.
(d) Pepper.

3. Which Beatles associate died from an accidental overdose in August 1967?
(a) Pete Best.
(b) Brian Epstein.
(c) Neil Aspinall.
(d) Magic Alex.

4. In 1979, George Martin predicted the now-common change from analog to what sort of recording?
(a) Digital.
(b) Sampling.
(c) Dialog.
(d) Mp3.

5. As stated in Chapter 8, in what year did George Martin make his first trip to America?
(a) 1958.
(b) 1962.
(c) 1968.
(d) 1964.

6. George Martin describes John Lennon and Paul McCartney as the main talent of the Beatles, and describes George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and himself as what?
(a) Overrated talents.
(b) Overshadowed talents.
(c) Marginal talents.
(d) Subsidiary talents.

7. George Martin witnessed an argument between Frank Sinatra and Voyle Gilmore during his first trip to America, regarding what topic?
(a) Sinatra wanted to record some Beatles tracks.
(b) Sinatra did not like his newest album cover, featuring a TWA airliner.
(c) Sinatra wanted to record in London rather than in New York.
(d) Sinatra did not like the quality of the studio equipment.

8. In Chapter 10 George Martin describes his disappointment with EMI, due to their unwillingness to pay him a bonus, using what British turn of phrase?
(a) Let's blow this pop-stand.
(b) Sod this for a lark.
(c) Blow this for a lark.
(d) Sod this for a game of soldiers.

9. What did George Martin believe would replace discs played by needles, at the time his book was written?
(a) Mp3 technology.
(b) Discs scanned by x-ray.
(c) Tapes scanned by laser beam.
(d) Discs scanned by laser beam.

10. Engelbert Humperdinck's single, "Release Me," prevented which double-A-side Beatles record from reaching number one?
(a) "Penny Lane" and "Strawberry Fields".
(b) "Penny Lane" and "Paperback Writer".
(c) "Paperback Writer" and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds".
(d) "Yesterday" and "Strawberry Fields".

11. Why did George Martin ultimately agree, in 1976, to score the "Sergeant Pepper" film featuring the Bee Gees and Peter Frampton?
(a) He desperately needed money.
(b) His wife reminded him that if someone else did the job, he wouldn't be there to defend the music's integrity.
(c) The Bee Gees asked him to do it.
(d) The Beatles asked him to do it.

12. The song, "Pepperland Laid Waste", appears on which Beatles album?"
(a) "Sergeant Pepper".
(b) "Help!"
(c) "Yellow Submarine".
(d) "Revolver".

13. How, according to George Martin, does a computer multiply 17 by 32?
(a) It will multiply 10 by 32, then multiply 7 by 32, then add the results together.
(b) It will add seventeen 30s together, then add seventeen 2s together, then combine the results.
(c) It will multiply 17 by 30, then multiply 17 by 2, then add the results together.
(d) It will add seventeen 32s together.

14. On George Harrison's "Within You Without You", what Indian violin is featured?
(a) The chikara.
(b) The charchari.
(c) The mayuri vina.
(d) The dilruba.

15. In Chapter 10, which Beatle does George Martin describe as an aural Salvador Dali?
(a) John Lennon.
(b) Paul McCartney.
(c) Ringo Starr.
(d) George Harrison.

Short Answer Questions

1. The "Yellow Submarine" story was written by Erich Segal, who later found fame with what novel-turned-film?

2. Who was the first artist recorded by George Martin at AIR's first studio?

3. In the 1950s studios had A&R men, meaning what?

4. While orchestrating the film, "The Family Way", what compromise did George Martin reach with John Boulting?

5. How does George Martin describe the result, when a recording is overcompressed?

(see the answer keys)

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