1 . If you are crazy about paintings, you shouldn’t miss the following four famous masterpieces which have stood the test of time.
The Arnolfini Portrait
Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, an oil painting on wood produced in 1434, in which a man and a woman hold hands with a window behind him and a bed behind her, is undoubtedly one of the masterpieces in the National Gallery, London. This painting is as visually interesting as it is famed. It is also an informative document in fifteenth-century society, through Van Eyck’s heavy use of symbolism—while husbands went out to engage in business, wives concerned themselves with domestic duties.
The Starry Night
Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night, oil on canvas, a moderately abstract landscape painting of an expressive night sky over a small hillside village, during his 12-month stay at the mental hospital near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France between 1889 and 1890. When the Museum of Modern Art in New York City purchased the painting from a private collector in 1941, it was not well known, but it has since become one of Van Gogh’s most famous works.
The Harvesters
The Harvesters is an oil painting on wood completed by Pieter Bruegel the Elder in 1565. It depicts the harvest time which most commonly occurs within the months of August and September. Nicolaes Jonghelinck, a merchant banker and art collector from Antwerp, commissioned this painting. The painting has been at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City since 1919.
Guernica
Guernica, a large black-and-white oil painting, was painted by the Cubist Spanish painter, Pablo Picasso in 1937. The title “Guernica” refers to the city that was bombed by Nazi planes during the Spanish Civil War. The painting depicts the horrors of war and as a result, has come to be an anti-war symbol and a reminder of the tragedies of war. Today, the painting is housed at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofaí in Madrid.
1. Which of the following paintings was produced earliest?A.The Arnolfini Portrait. | B.The Starry Night. |
C.The Harvesters. | D.Guernica. |
A.It was painted on wood in oil. |
B.It wasn’t widely recognized before 1940s. |
C.It described the painter’s life in hospital. |
D.It was given away to the museum by a private collector. |
A.Pieter Bruegel the Elder. | B.Vincent van Gogh. |
C.Jan van Eyck. | D.Pablo Picasso. |
2 . What are the speakers mainly talking about?
A.Gary’s works. | B.Gary’s application. | C.Gary’s list of samples. |
1. What is the man going to do this summer?
A.Teach a course. | B.Repair his house. | C.Work at a hotel. |
A.To hire a gardener. | B.To buy books. | C.To pay for a boat trip. |
1. Why does Diana say sorry to Peter?
A.She needs to put off her test. |
B.She has to give up her travel plan. |
C.She wants to visit another city. |
A.Help her with her study. |
B.Teach a geography lesson. |
C.Take a book to her friend. |
A.Their friend Jane. | B.A weekend trip. | C.A radio program. |
7 . National parks like Yellowstone are popular destinations for both family vacations and adventure trips alike. But there are some places that simply don’t get the love that they deserve despite the fact that they are truly impressive.
Isle Royale National ParkLocated in the heart of Lake Superior, Isle Royale requires a bit of work to reach, but it is well worth the effort. Access is permitted only via daily ferries, which is why larger parks like Yellowstone see more visitors in a day than Isle Royale sees in a year. Wildlife like wolves are frequently spotted by hikers along the park’s scenic trails.
Dry Tortugas National ParkAnother island park, the Dry Tortugas can be found 68 miles to the southwest of the Florida Keys. Accessible only by boat or plane, this park is actually quite small, but it’s packed with history, abundant sea life, and amazing coral reefs. At the center of the park is Fort Jefferson, the largest masonry(砖石)structure in the Western Hemisphere.
Wrangell-St. Elias National ParkCovering more than 13.2 million acres, Wrangell-St Elias National Park is the largest in the entire U.S. system. Remote and mostly undeveloped, this is a park that demands more from its visitors, after all there are just two roads that lead into it. But in return, it gives them a special connection with nature that simply isn’t found anywhere else.
Big Bend National ParkTravelers looking for a truly wild experience should have Big Bend National Park on their bucket lists. Big Bend is well known for its whitewater rafting camping, and hiking although during the summer months it can be intensely warm, keeping many visitors away.
1. What is the main reason for fewer visitors to Isle Royale National Park?A.The terrible work. | B.The dangerous wolves. |
C.The remote location. | D.The inconvenient transport. |
A.Big Bend National Park. | B.Isle Royale National Park. |
C.Dry Tortugas National Park. | D.Wrangell St. Elias National Park. |
A.With its wide roads. | B.With its large area. |
C.With its beautiful scenery. | D.With its special visitors |
A.Sunday. | B.Saturday. | C.Friday. |
9 . What will the man do after he gets home?
A.Drive to a furniture store. |
B.Buy the woman a new table. |
C.Borrow a truck from the woman. |
A.Taking a picture. | B.Having a haircut. | C.Looking at a photo. |