Test
Task 1
Listen to the text. Mark the following statements true (T) or false (F).
1) The text involves some interesting stories about famous artists. T
2) From the text we know that the Mona Lisa was stolen from the British Museum in 1912.
3) Leonardo da Vinci wrote all his personal notes upside down.
4) The famous artist Picasso learned how to walk after he could draw.
5) In Salvador Dali’s paintings it’s possible to find portraits of his wife.
Task 2
Read the text and write answers to the questions.
Thomas Gainsborough is known as an excellent women painter. «The Portrait of the Duchess de Befou», «Mrs Siddons», «Two Daughters» are among his best pictures. His portraits are painted in clear tones in which blue and gray predominate. One of his best pictures is «The Portrait of Duchess de Befou». In the picture we can see a young noble woman; her charming face is fresh and lively. Her calm elegant pose shows us her nobility. It seems that in this portrait Gainsborough followed the rules of traditional ceremonial portraits. But it is not so. The pursed lips of the woman, a timid gesture of her hand create a true impression of the sitter. The artist has a wonderful sense of colour, line and composition. He uses light and shade effectively. The picture is painted mostly in light tones on the dark background. Numerous shades of blue prevail in the picture. The combination of pink shades in her face and body are contrasted with grey and blue shades on her hair, dress and scarf. It makes an impression of freshness and beauty. Gainsborough skillfully depicts the details of her dress. The woman is graceful and charming. It is exhibited in the Hermitage in St Petersburg. Thomas Gainsborough greatly influenced the English school of landscape painting. He was one of the first English artists who painted their native land. His delicate understanding of nature is especially felt in the pictures where he showed peasants. The best landscapes of his are: «Watering Place» and «Harvest Waggon». Both of them are exhibited in the National Gallery. Among his other landscapes are: «The Sunset», «The Market Card» and «The Cottage Door». His great love for the countryside and his ability to show it made him an innovator in this field. He was the first English artist who painted his native countryside so sincerely.
1) What kind of pictures did Thomas Gainsborough paint?
2) What colours predominate in his portraits?
3) What portrait is considered to be one of his best pictures?
4) What did the artist make an affective use of?
5) What museum is the picture «The Portrait of Duchess de Befou» exhibited in?
6) Why was Thomas Gainsborough an innovator in landscape painting?
7) What are the best landscapes of his?
Task 3
Match the questions in the dialogue with their answers.
B 1) Do you have a tour around the museum?
2) When does the tour start?
3) How long does a tour last?
4) Can I join a tour?
5) What time does the next tour begin?
6) Is a Ukrainian guide available?
- A) It begins in an hour.
- B) Yes, we do.
- C) About an hour and a half.
- D) I’m afraid not.
- E) You certainly can.
- F) At 10:00.