1、_选修6Unit1 Art Reading A SHORT HISTORY OF WESTERN PAINTING Art is influenced by the customs and faith of a people. Styles in Western art have changed many times. As there are so many different styles of Western art, it would be impossible to describe all of them in such a short text. Consequently, th
2、is text will describe only the most important ones., starting from the sixth century AD.The Middle Ages(5th to the 15th century AD)During the Middle Ages, the main aim of painters was to represent _(religion) themes. A conventional artist of this period was not interested in showing nature and peopl
3、e as they really were. A typical picture at this time was full of religious symbols, which created a feeling of respect and love for God. But it was evident_ ideas were changing in the 13th century when painters like Giotto di Bondone began to paint religious scenes in a more realistic way.The Renai
4、ssance(15th to 16th century)During the Renaissance, new ideas and values gradually replaced those held in the Middle Ages. People began to concentrate less on religious themes and adopt a more humanistic attitude to life. At the same time painters returned to classical Roman and Greek ideas about ar
5、t. They tried to paint people and nature as they really were. Rich people wanted to possess their own paintings, so they could decorate their superb palaces and great houses. They paid famous artists to paint pictures of themselves, their houses and possessions as well as their activities and achiev
6、ements.One of the most important _(discover) during this period was how to draw things in perspective. This technique was first used by Masaccio in 1428. When people first saw his paintings, they were convinced that they were looking through a hole in a wall at a real scene. If the rules of perspect
7、ive had not been discovered, no one would have been able to paint such realistic pictures. By coincidence, oil paints were also developed at this time, which made the colours used in paintings look richer and _(deep). _ the new paints and the new technique, we would not be able to see the many great
8、 masterpieces _ which this period is famous.Impressionism(late 19h to early 20th century)In the late 19th century, Europe changed a great deal, from a mostly _(agriculture) society_ a mostly industrial one. Many people moved from the countryside to the new cities. There were many new inventions and
9、social changes also led to new painting styles. Among the painters who broke away _ the traditional style of painting were the Impressionists, who lived and work in Paris.The Impressionists were the first painters to work outdoors. They were eager to show how light and shadow fell on objects at diff
10、erent times of day. However, because natural light changes so quickly, the Impressionists had to paint quickly. Their paintings were not as detailed as _ of earlier painters. At first, many people disliked this style of painting and became very angry about it. They said that the painters were carele
11、ss and their paintings were ridiculous.Modern Art(29th century to today)At the time they were created, the Impressionist paintings were controversial, but today they are accepted as the beginning of _ we call modern art. This is _ the Impressionists encouraged artists to look at their environment in
12、 new ways. There are scores of modern art styles, but without the Impressionists, many of these painting styles might not exist. On the one hand, some modern art is abstract; that is, the painter does not attempt to paint objects as we see them with our eyes, but instead concentrates _a certain qual
13、ities of the object, using colour, line and shape to represent them. On _ hand, some paintings of modern art are so realistic that they look like photographs. These styles are so different. Who can predict what painting styles there _ in the future?Using LanguageReading The Best of Manhattans Galler
14、iesThe Frick Collection(5th Avenue and E.70th Street)Many art lovers would rather visit this small art gallery _ any other in New York. Henry Clay Frick, a rich New Yorker, died in 1919, leaving his house, furniture and art collection _ the American people. Frick had a _(prefer) for pre-twentieth ce
15、ntury Western paintings, and these are well-represented in this excellent collection. You can also explore Fricks beautiful home and garden which are well _(值得的) a visit.Guggenheim Museum(5th Avenue and 88th Street)This museum owns 5,000 modern paintings, sculptures and drawings. These art works are
16、 not all displayed at the same time. The exhibition is always changing. It will appeal _ those who love Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. The Guggenheim Museum building is also world-famous. When you walk into the gallery, you fell as if you were inside a fragile, white seashell. The b
17、est way to see the paintings is to start from the top floor and walk down to the bottom. There are no stairs, just a circular path. The museum also has an excellent restaurant.Metropolitan Museum of Art(5th Avenue and 82nd Street) The reputation of this museum lies in the variety of its art collecti
18、on. This covers more than 5,000 years of civilization from many parts if the world, including America, Europe, China, Egypt, other African countries and South America. The museum displays more than just the visual delights of art. It introduces you to ancient ways of living. You can visit an Egyptia
19、n temple, a fragrant Ming garden, a typical room in an 18th century French house and other special exhibitions.Museum of Modern Art(53rd Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues)It is amazing _ so many great works of from the late 19th century to the 21st century are housed in the same museum. The collec
20、tion of Western art includes paintings by such famous artists as Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso and Matisse. A few words of warning: the admission price is not cheap and the museum is often very _(crowd).Whitney Museum of American Art(945 Madison Avenue, near 75th Street)The Whitney holds an excellent col
21、lection of contemporary painting and sculpture. There are no permanent displays in this museum and exhibitions change all the time. Every two years, the Whitney holds a special exhibition of new art by living artists. The museum also shows videos and films by contemporary video artists.词汇检测精品资料1 rea
22、listic 2 abstract3 faith adj. 短语4对采取态度5集中于, 专心于 6 consequently7aim aim at 8 typical9 很显然 10脱离, 离开, 背弃11 possess possessions12 by coincidence 13 adopt 14企图 / 尝试做15一方面, 另一方面16 a great deal17. shadow18. ridiculous19.controversial 20. predict21. specific22. figure figure out23.宁愿 宁可 24.对偏爱 更爱25. 很值得参观26
23、. 吸引 呼吁 恳求 27. exhibition28. aggressive29. scholar30. reputation31. civilization32. visual33. permanent34. committee35. signatureUnit2 Poems Reading A few simple forms of English poemsThere are _(variety) reasons _ people write poetry. Some poems tell a story or describe something in a way that will
24、 give the reader a strong_(impress). Others try to convey certain emotions. Poets use many different forms of poetry to express themselves. In this text, however, we will look at a few of the simpler forms. Some of the first poetry a young child learns in English is nursery rhymes. These rhymes like
25、 the one on the right (A) are still a common type of childrens poetry. The language is concrete but imaginative, and they delight small children because they rhyme, have strong rhythm and a lot of repetition. The poems may not make sense and even seem contradictory, but they are easy to learn and re
26、cite. By playing with the words in nursery rhymes, children learn about language. (A)Hush, little baby, dont say a word,Papas going to buy you a mockingbird.If that mockingbird wont sing,Papas going to buy you a diamond ring.If that diamond ring turns to brass,Papas going to buy you a looking-glass.
27、If that looking-glass gets broke,Papas going to buy you a billy-goat.If that billy-goat runs away,Papas going to buy you another today.One of the simplest kinds of poems are those like B and C that list things. List poems have a flexible line length and repeated phrases which give both a pattern and
28、 a rhythm to the poem. Some rhyme (like B) while others do not (like C).(B)I saw a fish- pond all on fireI saw a fish-pond all on fire,I saw a house bow to a squire,I saw a person twelve-feet high,I saw a cottage in the sky,I saw a balloon made of lead,I saw a coffin drop down dead,I saw two sparrow
29、s run a race,I saw two horses making lace,I saw a girl just like a cat,I saw a kitten wear a hat,I saw a man who saw these too,And said though strange they all were true.(C)Our first football matchWe would have won .if Jack had scored that goal,if wed had just a few more minutes,if we had trained ha
30、rder,if Ben had passed the ball to Joe,if wed had thousands of fans screaming,if I hadnt taken my eye off the ball,if we hadnt stayed up so late the night before,if we hadnt taken it easy,if we hadnt run out of energy.We would have won .if wed been better!Another simple form of poem that students ca
31、n easily write is the cinquain, a poem made up of five lines. With these, students can convey a strong picture in just a few words. Look at the examples (D and E) on the top of the next page.(D)BrotherBeautiful, athleticTeasing, shouting, laughingFriend and enemy tooMine(E)SummerSleepy, saltyDrying,
32、 drooping, dreadingWeek in, week outEndlessHaiku is a Japanese form of poetry that is made up of 17 syllables. It is not a traditional form of English poetry, but is very popular with English writers. It is easy to write and, like the cinquain, can give a clear picture and create a special feeling u
33、sing the minimum of words. The two haiku poems (F and G) above are translations from the Japanese.(F)A fallen blossomIs coming back to the branch.Look, a butterfly!( by Moritake)(G)Snow having melted,The whole village is brimfulOf happy children.(by Issa)Did you know that English speakers also enjoy
34、 other forms of Asian poetry - Tang poems from China in particular? A lot of Tang poetry has been translated into English. This Tang poem (H) is a translation from the Chinese.(H)Where she awaits her husband(by Wang Jian)On and on the river flows.Never looking back, Transformed into stone.Day by day
35、 upon the mountain top, wind and rain revolve.Should the traveller return, this stone would utter speech.Using LanguageListening,reading and discussingIVE SAVED THE SUMMER(by Rod McKuen)Ive saved the summerAnd I give it all to youTo hold on winter morningsWhen the snow is new.Ive saved some sunlight
36、If you should ever needA place away from darknessWhere your mind can feed.And for myself Ive kept your smileWhen you were but nineteen,Till youre older youll not knowWhat brave young smiles can mean.I know no answersTo help you on your wayThe answers lie somewhereAt the bottom of the day.But if youv
37、e a need for loveIll give you all l ownIt might help you down the roadTill youve found your own.词汇检测1. convey 2. emotion3. 给某人留下深刻印象 4. 表达自己(的思想感情)5 尤其,特别 6. 进球7.不睡觉,熬夜 8.放松,不着急9.用光 10.由组成11.轻松,不紧张12. 目不转睛13. contradictory14. 灵活的;可弯曲的;柔顺的15. tease16. endless17.translation 被翻译成18. 尤其19. eventually20.
38、 transform21. sorrow22. bare23. appropriate24. exchange25. sponsor26. compass27. championship28. dark n.29. warm n.30. scholarship31. let out32. loadUnit3 Ahealthylife Reading ADVICE FROM GRANDADDear James,It is a beautiful day here and I am sitting under the big tree at the end_ the garden. I have
39、just returned from a long bike ride to an old castle. It seems amazing _ at my age I am still fit enough to cycle 20 kilometres in an afternoon. Its my birthday in two weeks time and Ill be 82 years old! I think my long and active life must be due _ the healthy life I live. This brings me to the rea
40、l reason _ my letter, my dear grandson. Your mother tells me that you started smoking some time ago and now you are finding _ difficult to give it up. Believe me, I know how easy it is to begin smoking and how tough it is _(stop). You see, during adolescence I also smoked and became addicted to ciga
41、rettes.By the way, did you know that this is _ you become addicted in three different ways? First, you can become physically addicted to nicotine, _ is one of the hundreds of chemicals in cigarettes. This means that after a while your body becomes accustomed to having nicotine in it. So when the dru
42、g leaves your body, you get withdrawal symptoms. I remember feeling bad-tempered and sometimes even in pain. Secondly, you become addicted through habit. As you know, if you do the same thing over and over again, you begin to do it automatically. Lastly, you can become mentally addicted. I believed
43、I was happier and more relaxed after having a cigarette, so I began to think that I could only feel good when I smoked. I was addicted in all three ways, so it was very difficult to quit. But I did finally manage.When I was young, I didnt know much about the_(harm) effects of smoking. I didnt know,
44、for example, that it could do terrible damage _ your heart and lungs or that it was more difficult for smoking couples to become pregnant. I certainly didnt know their babies may have a smaller birth weight or even be abnormal in some way. Neither _ that my cigarette smoke could affect the health of
45、 non-smokers. However, what I did know was that my girlfriend thought I smelt terrible. She said my breath and clothes smelt, and that the ends of my fingers were turning yellow. She told me that she wouldnt go out with me again _ I stopped! I also noticed that I became breathless quickly, and that I wasnt enjoying sport as much. When I was taken off the school football team because I was unfit, I knew it was time to quit_(smoke).I am sending you some advice I found on the Internet. It might help you to stop and _(strength) your resolve.