What exactly are minor scales compared to major scales?

It has the 6th and 7th degree of the scale altered, but when you are descending it is natural again (so no alterations). Edit: I think it was aimed to prepare you to sing it, because it's difficult to go from altered back to natural, so I think it was just to learn that. Perhaps to improve your ear as well.

I know Mozart would use the melodic minor scale. It is more a "western mode", unlike the harmonic scale. I also think it may just be for harmony/composition reasons.

Mozart is said to be one of the most melodic musicians and someone who had a really good ear. :) They are not supposed to sound funny, at least compared to natural minor scales which sound funny to me :).

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.