Question

He winced at the scratchy blare of the battered trumpet, the uncertain smash of the tarnished cymbals, and the anguished screech and whistle of the poorly-played saxophone. Never before had he heard such cacophony referred to as "music."
What words form the clue to the meaning of cacophony? Select all that apply.
winced
blare
battered
trumpet
smash
cymbals
anguished
screech
poorly-played
saxophone
referred
music

Answer 1

Cacophony means a harsh, discordant mixture of sound that is annoying or irritating. A combination of sounds that is not in harmony.

The words that form the clue to the meaning of cacophony are:
1) blare, battered, trumpet
2) smash, cymbals
3) anguished, screech, poorly-played saxophone

Trumpet, cymbals, and saxophone are all musical instruments. If these instruments were in very good condition and were played well, then the sounds they would have produced will be harmonious.