Unit 10: English for the Arts

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Aims and Objectives

In this unit you will learn and practise vocabulary related to the Arts.

You will practise the following skills and functions:

  • talking about different art forms

The grammar focus of this unit is:

Vocabulary

Vocabulary Practice

Exercise not available in this language version.

Listening Comprehension

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording:
Transcript:

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827) was born in Bonn, which is a small town in Germany on the River Rhine. Beethoven, who first became famous as a piano virtuoso, became the predominant composer of his time and is one of the greatest figures in the history of Western music. As a musician and conductor he was famous for his powerful and emotional personality. This is also evident in his compositions, which include piano sonatas, five piano concertos, nine symphonies and one opera. The theme of the fourth movement of his 9th symphony, which was inspired by Schiller's “Ode to Joy”, is now the European Anthem.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. When did Beethoven live?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. What instrument did Beethoven play most?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. How many operas did he compose?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. The European Anthem is based on:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. The "Ode to Joy" is a poem written by:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording:
Transcript:

Vincent Van Gogh (1853 – 1890), who powerfully influenced the development of much modern painting, is generally considered the greatest Dutch painter after Rembrandt. In the first four years of his career as an artist, Van Gogh limited himself to sketches and watercolours. In 1886 he went to Paris to join his brother Theo, who was his greatest friend and supporter. There he was introduced to Impressionism, which made his palette more colourful. In 1888 he moved to Arles, where he painted many of his finest works, including “Self-Portrait with Pipe and Bandaged Ear.”

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. What nationality was Van Gogh?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. What nationality was Rembrandt?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. What did Van Gogh paint at the beginning of his career?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. Why did Van Gogh go to Paris?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. What was Impressionism?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  6. Where did Van Gogh paint his famous self-portrait?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Exercise 3: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording:
Transcript:

William Shakespeare, who was born in 1564 and died in 1616, is often regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist of all time. He wrote his plays, which include comedies, historical plays and tragedies such as `Macbeth', `Hamlet' and `Romeo and Juliet', for a small theatre in London that was called “The Globe”, but today they are performed more often and in more countries than ever before. He was also the author of two narrative poems and 154 sonnets.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. When was Shakespeare born?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. What did he write?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. `Romeo and Juliet' and `Hamlet' are:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. What was “The Globe”?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. How many sonnets did Shakespeare write?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Exercise 4: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording:
Transcript:

Orson Welles, whose father was an inventor and whose mother was a beautiful concert pianist, was gifted as a child in many arts, including magic, piano, and painting. He is recognised as one of the greatest actors and directors who ever lived. Considered a genius by many, Welles conquered the stage, radio, and movie screen. He was married three times. His second wife was the actress Rita Hayworth and in Hollywood they were known as the Beauty and the Brain. From his early days directing and acting in plays until his later years making films in Europe, Welles displayed an artistry which few others could equal. His first film `Citizen Kane' is considered his best and most famous film.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. Who was a concert pianist?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. Orson Welles was famous as:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. Who was his second wife?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. Where did he work and live in his later years?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. 'Citizen Kane' was:
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

General Comprehension

Exercise 1: True/False Statements

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. Beethoven composed nine symphonies.


    ?
  2. Beethoven composed nothing but symphonies.


    ?
  3. The piano, the clarinet and the violin are musical instruments.


    ?
  4. Van Gogh lived in the 18th century.


    ?
  5. A painting of a person is called a portrait.


    ?
  6. Shakespeare wrote comedies, historical plays and tragedies.


    ?
  7. `Macbeth' is a comedy.


    ?
  8. A sonnet is a piece of music.


    ?
  9. Orson Welles made a movie called 'The Beauty and the Brain'


    ?
  10. `Movie' is another word for film.


    ?

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Speaking Practice. Complete the sentences you hear, using the example as a model.

Press ‘Play’ to listen to the instructions:

Grammar Practice

Exercise 1: Transformation

Use `WHO', `WHICH' or `THAT' as subject of the relative clause.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
Example:

I've got a friend. He collects stamps. (who)
I've got a friend who collects stamps.

There's a problem. It worries me. (which)
There's a problem which worries me.

  1. A.
    B. ?
  2. A.
    B. ?
  3. A.
    B. ?
  4. A.
    B. ?
  5. A.
    B. ?
  6. A.
    B. ?
  7. A.
    B. ?
  8. A.
    B. ?

Exercise 2: Transformation

In this exercises, use the Relative Pronoun `WHAT'.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
Example:

I'll pay for the things I broke.
I'll pay for what I broke.

  1. A.
    B. ?
  2. A.
    B. ?
  3. A.
    B. ?
  4. A.
    B. ?
  5. A.
    B. ?

Exercise 3: Transformation

In this exercises, use the Relative Pronoun `WHOSE'.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
Example:

He's an artist. His paintings are very famous.
He's an artist whose paintings are very famous.

  1. A.
    B. ?
  2. A.
    B. ?
  3. A.
    B. ?
  4. A.
    B. ?
  5. A.
    B. ?

Exercise 4: Selections

Chose the correct answer.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  2. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  3. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  4. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  5. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  6. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  7. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  8. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  9. a. 
    b. 
    ?
  10. a. 
    b. 
    ?

Consolidation

Exercise 1: True/False Statements

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

Recording:
Transcript:

The Renaissance, which began in Italy and spread to the rest of Europe, marked the end of the Middle Ages and the transition to modern times. Culture was born again, with an explosion of interest in all aspects of culture and science. The classical Greek and Roman philosophers were studied again. Painters, sculptors, architects and engineers applied new techniques, and experiments with musical form led to the development of new types of composition.

One man above all represents the spirit of the Renaissance. Born in 1452 near Florence, he was a sculptor, scientist, inventor and engineer, and was one of the greatest painters of the Italian Renaissance. He was among the first to take a scientific approach towards understanding how our world works and how we see it. His powers of observation and skill as an illustrator enabled him to improve existing machines and create inventions of extraordinary new machines. He worked slowly, and produced comparatively little, but there is no artist of his time who does not owe him something. He died in France in

  1. His name was Leonardo da Vinci.
This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. The Renaissance began in Italy.


    ?
  2. Leonardo da Vinci best represents the spirit of the Renaissance.


    ?
  3. The Renaissance saw the rebirth of culture.


    ?
  4. All aspects of culture and science remained the same.


    ?
  5. Leonardo da Vinci was a sculptor, scientist, inventor and engineer.


    ?
  6. No new types of musical composition were developed.


    ?
  7. Leonardo da Vinci was born in France.


    ?
  8. He had ideas for many extraordinary new machines.


    ?
  9. He produced a lot in his time.


    ?
  10. He died in 1915.


    ?

Exercise 2: Dictation

Listen to the complete recording first. Then go to the textbox and use the ‘>’ key to listen to the text section by section. Type what you hear into the textbox. For detailed instructions, read the Exercise Help.

Recording:
Transcript:

The Renaissance, which began in Italy and spread to the rest of Europe, marked the end of the Middle Ages and the transition to modern times. Culture was born again, with an explosion of interest in all aspects of culture and science. The classical Greek and Roman philosophers were studied again. Painters, sculptors, architects and engineers applied new techniques, and experiments with musical form led to the development of new types of composition.

?

Exercise 3: Cloze

Listen to the recording carefully and then fill in the gaps in the text below using the same words.

Recording:
Transcript:

One man above all represents the spirit of the Renaissance. Born in 1452 near Florence, he was a sculptor, scientist, inventor and engineer, and was one of the greatest painters of the Italian Renaissance. He was among the first to take a scientific approach towards understanding how our world works and how we see it. His powers of observation and skill as an illustrator enabled him to improve existing machines and create inventions of extraordinary new machines. He worked slowly, and produced comparatively little, but there is no artist of his time who does not owe him something. He died in France in

  1. His name was Leonardo da Vinci.

One man ? all represents the spirit of the Renaissance. ? in 1452 near Florence, he was a sculptor, scientist, inventor and engineer, and was ? of the greatest painters of the Italian Renaissance. He was ? the first to take a scientific approach ? understanding how our world works and ? we see it. His powers of observation and skill as ? illustrator enabled him to improve existing machines and create inventions of extraordinary new machines. He worked slowly, and produced comparatively little, ? there is no artist of his time who does not owe ? something. He died in France in

  1. ? name was Leonardo da Vinci.

Exercise 4: Gap Filling

Choose the correct option to fill the gaps in the following sentences.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:
  1. Bonn is a small town ____ the River Rhine.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  2. Beethoven is one of the ____ musicians in Western music.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  3. Beethoven had an ____ personality.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  4. Van Gogh limited ____ to sketches and water-colours.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  5. Impressionism ____ his palette more colourful.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  6. William Shakespeare was the greatest poet and dramatist of ____ time.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  7. His plays are performed more often than ____ before
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  8. Leonardo da Vinci ____ represents the spirit of the Renaissance.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  9. He produced comparatively ____ .
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  10. Do you understand how our world ____?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  11. The Italian Renaissance produced many ____ painters.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  12. He died in France ____ 1519.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  13. He was born in Salzburg, ____ is a town in Austria.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  14. Mary went to Milan to see Othello, ____ was her favourite opera.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  15. Shakespeare's the man ____ plays are still performed today.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  16. Paul told me about the exhibition ____ starts tomorrow.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  17. Did you see ____ happened to the pianist?
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  18. I met her friend ____ is a wonderful sculptor.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  19. He produced a ____ in his time.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?
  20. The sculpture ____ looks like a man thinking is by Rodin.
    a. 
    b. 
    c. 
    ?

Checklist

Use the following list to check whether you have obtained full benefit from this unit. You should be able to:

  • talk about different art forms
Version 2.0 (2011-12-07 01:36 CET)
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