What does the text suggest about the popularity of Rainey and Smith's songs?

• A. The songs have grown in popularity since Rainey and Smith first sang them
• B. The songs vanished from circulation
• C. The songs were never popular
• D. The songs are older than written records

Answer: (A)

Understanding how popularity changes over time is the key idea. When the text implies that Rainey and Smith’s songs became more well-known after they first sang them, it signals a rise in popularity—more people come to know and enjoy the songs as time passes. That matches the idea that popularity has grown since the initial performances.

The other possibilities would require signals that aren’t present in the text—for example, something that suggests the songs disappeared, were never enjoyed, or predated written records. Since those signals aren’t indicated, the interpretation that popularity has grown over time fits best.