Question

read the text.
goodnight irene
1 before there was equipment to record and play music, folk songs were passed down orally from one generation to the next. individual singers and performers often changed words and varied the tunes; this music was alive.
2 in the twentieth century, after the invention of the phonograph, musicians and historians became interested in recording folk music. in 1928, the united states library of congress established the archive of american folk song to collect folk - music recordings and documentation. in 1933, john lomax, a musicologist who had studied american cowboy songs and other traditional music, went to work for the library of congress. his job was to
what is the text about?
it is about the phonograph and how it was used to record folk music.
it is about the career of important american folk musician lead belly.
it is about the founding of the archive of american folk song.
it is about lead bellys study of traditional american cowboy music.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the first option: The text first talks about folk songs being passed down orally, then the invention of the phonograph leading to interest in recording folk music, and the establishment of the Archive of American Folk Song. The phonograph's role in recording folk music is a key part.
2. Analyze the second option: The text does not mention Lead Belly's career, so this is incorrect.
3. Analyze the third option: While the Archive is mentioned, the text also covers the oral tradition of folk songs and the phonograph's impact, so it's not just about the founding of the Archive.
4. Analyze the fourth option: The text does not discuss Lead Belly's study of cowboy music, so this is incorrect.

Answer:

It is about the phonograph and how it was used to record folk music.