Art forms

1. READ and LISTEN to the dialogue below and answer the following questions:

1. Who is talking? What is their relationship, in your opinion? 
2. What is being discussed?
3. Where might this dialogue take place?

Tom: Hey Ana, how’s your day going?

Ana: It’s been great so far. I just finished a watercolor painting and I’m quite pleased with how it turned out.

Tom: That’s amazing! I’ve been working on a sketch of a portrait for my visual arts class. Do you think fine arts are more important than other forms of art like arts and crafts or DIY?

Ana: I think all forms of art are important in their own way. While fine arts like oil painting, still-life painting, and figurative art may be more traditional, arts and crafts and DIY allow for more creativity and personalization. What do you think?

Tom: I agree, but I think plastic arts and performing arts also have their importance. They allow for more expression and evoke emotions in people. I also think that contemporary art is becoming more and more relevant as it brings about an emotional response and often comments on current events.

Ana: I agree. The principles of design like harmony, composition, and unity are important in all forms of art. They can help bring out the focal point of the piece and create an impact on a person.

Tom: Absolutely, and aesthetics play a huge role in how we perceive art. Patterns in art can also create a sense of continuity and unity. I think that the best art is able to evoke a memory or make an impact on a person.

Ana: That’s so true. And historical relevance is also important. When we visit exhibits at an art gallery and see artifacts or masterpieces from different cultures and times, we canlearn about our heritageand the world around us.

Tom: Definitely. And curators play a huge role in preserving and showcasing these artifacts and masterpieces. They help bring these works of art to lifeand educate the public about their importance.

Ana: Yes, it’s important to recognize the significance ofthese works and how they can still have an impact on us today. Whether it’s through realism, abstract art, or impressionism, art has the ability to bring people together and create a sense of unity.

Tom: Agreed. And creativity is at the heart of all forms of art. It allows artists to express themselvesin unique and meaningful ways.

Ana: A true culture vulture embraces all forms of art and recognizes their value. Art has the ability to inspire and connect people from all walks of life.

Tom: Well said, Ana. I couldn’t agree more.

2. Read the dialogue again and answer the following comprehension questions:

1. What type of painting did Ana just finish?
2. What is Tom currently working on for his visual arts class?
3. According to Ana, what is the importance of arts and crafts and DIY?
4. What forms of art does Tom think are also important besides fine arts?
5. How does contemporary art differ from traditional art forms, according to Tom?
6. What are some of the principles of design that are important in all forms of art?
7. What role does aesthetics play in how we perceive art, according to Tom?
8. How can historical relevance be seen in exhibits at art galleries, according to Ana?
9. What role do curators play in preserving and showcasing works of art?
10. How does art have the ability to connect people from all walks of life, according to Ana?

3. Based on the dialogue, match the expressions on the left with their definitions on the right:

PART 1:

1.Contemporary art	a.to express opinions or ideas about recent or ongoing political, social, or cultural developments through artistic means
2. An oil painting	b.Art that represents recognizable objects or figures, often depicting people, animals, or landscapes
3.To evoke emotions	c.Creative art forms, such as painting, sculpture, and music, which are created to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional power
4.A watercolor painting	d.Activities involving making things by hand, often with the use of traditional techniques
5.Harmony in art	e.Art forms that create works which are primarily visual in nature, such as painting, sculpture, photography, and printmaking
6.Visual arts	f.To elicit or bring about feelings, such as joy, sadness, anger, or fear, in viewers and/or listeners
7.To work on a portrait	g.Art forms that involve shaping or molding materials, such as clay, metal, or wood, into three-dimensional objects
8.To allow room for more expression	h.To cause a reaction in the viewer or listener, often by appealing to their emotions or senses
9.To bring about an emotional response	i.The area of a painting that draws the viewer’s attention and serves as the main point of interest
10.Creativity	j.Art that is produced in the present time and reflects current trends, styles, and issues
11.Personalization	k.A type of painting that uses water-soluble pigments and is typically done on paper
12.To comment on current events	l.The pleasing arrangement of elements within a work of art, often achieved through balance, proportion, and color
13.Performing arts	m.A type of painting that uses pigments mixed with oil
14.Figurative art	n.The ability to come up with new ideas or concepts, or to make connections between existing ideas in a way that is original and useful
15.The focal point of a painting	o.A shorter version of ‘Do It Yourself, that is activities that include building, repairing, or changing something without any professional help’
16.Arts and crafts	p.The process of tailoring something to meet individual needs or preferences
17.Fine arts	q.To provide greater opportunities for artists to convey their thoughts, feelings, or ideas through their work
18.A still-life painting	r.Art forms that involve live performances, such as theater, dance, and music
19.DIY	s.A type of painting that shows inanimate objects, such as flowers, fruit, or household items in a composition
20.Plastic arts	t.The act of creating an artistic representation of a person’s face or head

PART 2:

1. from all walks of life	a. a person responsible for managing and organizing collections of artworks or artifacts
2. impressionism	b. to have a significant effect or influence on something or someone
3. abstract art	c. to go see displays of artwork in a designated space for public viewing
4. historical relevance	d. a style of painting characterized by short brushstrokes, vivid colors, and emphasis on light and movement
5. bring people together	e. a person who is very interested in the arts, music, and other aspects of culture
6. realism	f. to unite individuals with different backgrounds or opinions through shared experiences or interests
7. an artifact	g. an artistic style that aims to represent things as they are in real life
8. a culture vulture	h. referring to people from various social, economic, and cultural backgrounds
9. a curator	i. a form of art that does not attempt to depict recognizable objects but instead uses shapes, colors, and textures to create a visual experience
10. visit exhibits at an art gallery	j. an object made by humans, typically of cultural or historical interest
11. preserve masterpieces	k. the importance of something in relation to past events and its significance in shaping the present
12. make an impact on	l. to protect and maintain works of exceptional quality and skill

4. Fill in the blanks using the words from Exercise 3:

1. My grandmother loves to create _____(1) of flowers.

2. She is going to _____(2) of her husband for his birthday gift.

3. _____(3) include drawing, painting, and sculpting.

4. _____(4) are known for their high level of skill and _____(5).

5. I enjoy doing _____(6) with my little sister on the weekends.

6. We decided to do a _____(7) project and build our own bookshelf.

7. My aunt is an artist who specializes in _____(8).

8. The _____(9) of fruit looked very realistic.

9. _____(10) often involves the human body or other objects from the real world.

10. _____(11) can come in many forms and can be expressed in different ways.

11. _____(12) is important when making a gift for someone else.

12. _____(13) are usually made by shaping materials like clay or metal.

13. _____(14) include theater, dance, and music.

14. The painting was able to _____(15)of joy and happiness.

15. _____(16) focuses on artwork of today and recent years.

16. The photojournalist’s images were able to _____(17) in viewers.

17. Artists often use their work to _____(18) and issues.

18. _____(19) is essential in creating a pleasing and balanced composition.

19. _____(20) was the bright red flower in the center.

20. Allowing room for more expression in your artwork can lead to interesting and unique results.

5. Unscramble the sentences on the topic below:

Advantages and Disadvantages of Art

Advantages

1. express / art / You / yourself / through / can
2. Art / improves / cognitive / abilities / and / your / makes / work / better / brain
3. relax / and / you / stress / help / reduce / can/ It
4. It/and / boosts / imagination / also/ creativity
5. Art/ beautiful / more / world / the / Makes

Disadvantages

1. used / materials / if / art / can / dangerous / be / not / toxic / Some / properly / and
2. take / can / something / create / Art / to / a / resources / of / and / good / lot / time
3. understands / art / or / appreciates / everyone / Not
4. you / high-quality / expensive / want / Art/ supplies / artwork / can / be / if / or
5. not / always / choice / considered / a / as / career / is /It/ practical

In the comments below, write to what extent you agree with the Pros and Cons of Art. 

Are there any other benefits and drawbacks that you can think of?

Write them in the comments. 

6. Practice applying the vocabulary in Speaking Parts 1-2-3: 

Part 1 (4-5 minutes):

A. Where is your hometown?
Do you like your hometown? Why or why not?
Do you often visit your hometown? Why or why not?
How could your hometown be improved?

B. Let’s talk about Art. Are you good at art?
Did you learn art at school when you were a child?
What kind of art do you like?
Have you ever been to an art gallery? Why or why not?

C. Let’s now move on to Hobbies. Do you have a hobby?
Did you have a hobby as a child? Why or why not?
What hobbies are popular in your country?

Part 2 (3 minutes):

You have one minute to take notes if you wish.
You have to speak for two full minutes.

Describe a work of art that you saw. You should say:

• When you first saw this work of art;
• Where you saw it;
• What it looked like.
• And explain your feelings about it.

Part 3 (4-5 minutes):

First, let’s consider art forms.
A. What are some of the traditional art forms in your country?
B. Do people if your country prefer music over art?
C. How has art changed in the last few decades in your country?

Let’s now discuss the importance of art in general.
A. What is the general purpose of art?
B. Are older people more interested in art than younger people?
C. Should the government provide support for art and cultural activities? Why or why not?

7. Practice applying the vocabulary in Writing Part 2 Essay: 

Some people think that the government is wasting money on arts, and that this money should be spent elsewhere. To what extent do you agree?

Write at least 250 words.

You have 40 minutes to plan – write – proofread your task. 

ANSWERS:

Exercise 1:

1. Tom and Ana are students enrolled into university art courses. 
2. The importance of different art forms is being discussed. Also, Tom and Ana are discussing the impact of art. 
3. The dialogue might take place on a university campus.

Exercise 2:

1. Ana just finished a watercolor painting.
2. Tom is working on a sketch of a portrait for his visual arts class.
3. Ana thinks that arts and crafts and DIY allow for more creativity and personalization.
4. Tom thinks that plastic arts and performing arts are also important because they allow for more expression and evoke emotions in people.
5. According to Tom, contemporary art brings about an emotional response and often comments on current events, whereas traditional art forms may be more focused on realism or impressionism.
6. Some of the principles of design that are important in all forms of art are harmony, composition, and unity.
7. Aesthetics play a huge role in how we perceive art, and pattern in art can also create a sense of continuity and unity.
8. Historical relevance can be seen in exhibits at art galleries by showcasing artifacts or masterpieces from different cultures and times, allowing us to learn about our heritage and the world around us.
9. Curators play a role in preserving and showcasing works of art by organizing exhibits and educating the public about their significance.
10. According to Ana, art has the ability to inspire and connect people from all walks of life, creating a sense of unity.

Exercise 3:

1. j 2. m 3. f 4. k 5. l 6. e 7. t 8. q 9. h 10. n 11. p 12. an13. r 14. b 15. I 16. d 17. c 18. s 19. o 20. g

Exercise 4:

1. a watercolor painting
2. work on a portrait
3. visual arts
4. fine arts
5. creativity
6. arts and crafts
7. diy
8. oil painting
9. still-life painting
10. figurative art
11. creativity
12. personalization
13. plastic arts
14. performing arts
15. evoke emotions 
16. contemporary art
17. bring about an emotional response
18. comment on current events
19. harmony in art
20. the focal point in a painting

Exercise 5:

Advantages:

1. You can express yourself through art
2. Art makes your brain work better and improves cognitive abilities
3. It can help you relax and reduce stress
4. It also boosts creativity and imagination
5. Art makes the world more beautiful

Disadvantages:

1. Some art materials can be toxic and dangerous if not used properly
2. Art can take a lot of time and resources to create something good
3. Not everyone appreciates or understands art
4. Art can be expensive if you want high-quality supplies or artwork
5. It is not always considered as a practical career choice