View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What was George Martin's day job at the BBC Music Library, after he finished music school?
(a) Recording young musicians.
(b) Sorting scores.
(c) Composition.
(d) Fundraising.

2. After hearing the Beatles play for the first time live, George Martin wanted to replace which musician?
(a) The vocalist.
(b) The drummer.
(c) The bass player.
(d) The lead guitarist.

3. How long after the wedding of George Martin and Sheena, did his mother pass away?
(a) One week.
(b) Three weeks.
(c) Three years.
(d) One year.

4. What was the name of George Martin's first band?
(a) The Quavers.
(b) The Waverleys.
(c) The Four Tune Tellers.
(d) The Beatles.

5. After his first trip to America, Brian Epstein returned with a song written by which undiscovered composer?
(a) Elvis Presley.
(b) Burt Bacharach.
(c) Dick James.
(d) Irving Berlin.

Short Answer Questions

1. During their first meeting with George Martin, which Beatle did not speak a word?

2. As explained by George Martin in Chapter 2, how is orchestration different from composition?

3. Who are the two children of George Martin and Sheena?

4. Why is it almost never cost effective to play classical music live in modern times, according to George Martin?

5. What was the profession of George Martin's father?

Short Essay Questions

1. What were George Martin's early life experiences with the piano and performing in general?

2. How does George Martin describe the collaborative writing style of John Lennon and Paul McCartney?

3. What was the atmosphere at Parlophone immediately following the retirement of Oscar Preuss, as described by George Martin at the beginning of Chapter 5?

4. How did the Beatles come to change drummers before achieving success and fame, letting Pete Best go in favor of Ringo Starr?

5. How did George Martin come to record "At the Drop of a Hat" with Donald Swann and Michael Flanders, and what was unusual about the recording method he used?

6. How, according to George Martin in Chapter 6, did the role of a producer change from the 1950s to the time "All You Need Is Ears" was published, in 1979?

7. What was the danger behind the giggling fits of George Martin and Peter Sellers while recording comedy bits at the studio?

8. Why, according to George Martin in Chapter 2, is pop music not a step down from classical?

9. Early in Chapter 1, why were the Beatles in Paris?

10. Describe the circumstances that led George Martin to marry his first wife, Sheena, and the tragedy, which occurred shortly thereafter.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 996 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample