Question

read the passage and then answer the question. the saxophone has been around for about 170 years. while other instruments, such as drums, guitars, and flutes, have existed for thousands of years, the saxophone is a relative newcomer to the world of music. it was invented in the 1840s by adolphe sax, a belgian musician and instrument maker, to address a disparity in tone across sections of the orchestra. sax had noted that brass instruments frequently overpowered the woodwinds, creating an unevenness in sound and tone. saxs solution was to create an instrument that would integrate aspects of the two orchestral sections. namely, his new instrument, the saxophone, joined a brass - like body with a woodwind - like mouthpiece. it was suitable for both orchestras and military bands, making it a versatile choice for musicians and composers. the saxophone has grown in popularity over time and is now played around the world. what is the meaning of relative as used in the passage? familiar or popular comparison to something else additional of the same group; similar

Explanation:

The passage compares the saxophone's 170 - year existence to other instruments (drums, guitars, flutes) that have existed for thousands of years. The word "relative" here is used in a comparative sense. It shows that when compared to those long - existing instruments, the saxophone is new.

Answer:

comparison to something else