TASK DEFINITION: In this task, you're given a question, a context passage, and four options which are terms from the passage. After reading a passage, you will get a brief understanding of the terms. Your job is to determine by searching and reading further information of which term you can answer the question. Indicate your choice as 'a', 'b', 'c', or 'd'. If you think more than one option is plausible, choose the more probable option to help you answer the question.
PROBLEM: Question: How many pieces had Beethoven composed before the one Pinza performed in 1935? Passage:Pinza sang once again under the baton of Toscanini in 1935, this time with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, as the bass soloist in performances of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis. One of these performances was broadcast by CBS and preserved on transcription discs; this recording has been issued on LPs and CDs. He also sang in Toscanini's February 6, 1938, NBC Symphony Orchestra's broadcast performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. These performances both took place in Carnegie Hall. In March 1942, Pinza was arrested at his home and unjustly detained 3 months on Ellis Island with hundreds of other Italian-Americans who were suspected of supporting the Axis. The incident was extremely traumatic for Pinza, and he suffered from severe depression for years afterward. In October 1947, he performed the role of Méphistophélès in Guonod's Faust opposite his daughter, soprano Claudia Pinza Bozzolla, as Marguerite at the San Francisco Opera.
 Links: a. Symphony No. 9 (Beethoven) b. Missa solemnis (Beethoven) c. Faust (opera) d. San Francisco Opera

SOLUTION: b

PROBLEM: Question: How many years did Nick Van Exel play for the Nuggets? Passage:The 1998–99 NBA season was the Nuggets' 23rd season in the National Basketball Association, and 32nd season as a franchise. During the offseason, the Nuggets acquired Nick Van Exel from the Los Angeles Lakers, and second-year guard Chauncey Billups from the Toronto Raptors. Despite the return of Antonio McDyess, who was re-signed by the team after one season with the Phoenix Suns, the Nuggets continued to struggle under new head coach Mike D'Antoni losing eight of their first nine games. Top draft pick Raef LaFrentz out of Kansas was out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury after playing just twelve games. The Nuggets finished the lockout shortened season sixth in the Midwest Division with a 14–36 record. This was also their final season playing at McNichols Sports Arena. Following the season, second-year forward Danny Fortson and Eric Williams were both traded to the Boston Celtics, and D'Antoni was fired as coach.
 Links: a. Nick Van Exel b. Raef LaFrentz c. 1997–98 Los Angeles Lakers season d. Antonio McDyess

SOLUTION: a

PROBLEM: Question: What profession did Fritz Haber work in the year Barschall received his Ph.D? Passage:Barschall was born as Heinrich Hermann Barschall in Berlin, Germany; his father was a patent attorney who had received a Ph.D. in chemistry after studying with Nobel Laureates Emil Fischer and Fritz Haber. After beginning study in several universities in Germany, he emigrated to the United States in 1937 during the early Holocaust period; though raised as a Lutheran, he had some Jewish ancestry. He received his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1940 under the direction of Rudolf Ladenburg; he also worked closely with John A. Wheeler. After a suggestion by Niels Bohr, he carried out in only a few days with fellow graduate student Morton H. Kanner the first demonstration of fission by fast neutrons and thorium and uranium. His thesis was on the interaction of fast neutrons with helium. In a paper with John A. Wheeler he reported the discovery of spin-orbit coupling in neutron scattering.
 Links: a. Fritz Haber b. Emil Fischer c. The Holocaust d. Jews

SOLUTION:
a