Questions 31 to 40 are based on the following passage.
Let me pose a(n) (31) situation for you. Imagine that you are very rich and can do almost anything you want. Now imagine that you love art and want to support struggling artists. You decide to (32) a painting from a young artist whose work you admire. What would you have him paint?
Would you ask for an epic battle set in a(n) (33) world of monsters and fairies or would you ask for a realistic, (34) portrait of yourself? If you chose the latter, you're in good company because that is (35) what I did. I had seen so many beautiful portraits of famous people hanging in museums that I thought it was time to have my very own.
It took me a long time to find a highly (36) artist whose work would do justice to my portrait. In the (37), I studied the artistic process and learned a lot about how art is created. I must admit that, even though I've always admired artists, I never had a full appreciation for their creative talent. I certainly don't have that ability, so I'm incredibly impressed when someone (38) knows how to create a work of such beauty.
I was fairly nervous about seeing my finished portrait. The artist, likewise, was very nervous about showing it to me. In the end, I must admit that he did a(n) (39) job capturing my likeness. I'm not in love with the painting, but the artist should take (40) in the fact that he did the best he could with his subject. I'm not a very attractive man, so it's almost impossible for my portrait to be beautiful and realistic.
(31) (32) (33) (34) (35) (36) (37) (38)
Your answer hypothetical commission mythological expressive precisely qualified meantime instinctively
Correct answer hypothetical commission mythological expressive precisely qualified meantime instinctively
(39) (40)
sufficient consolation
sufficient consolation
Part III: Reading Comprehension
Questions 41 to 45 are based on the following passage.
When it comes to the arts, many people automatically think of Europe and North America. This is understandable since so many famous artists come from these regions. Many art museums are filled with paintings and drawings from European and North American artists from the past few hundred years. All countries, however, have a unique artistic heritage, so it should come as no surprise that countries throughout Africa and Asia have their own artistic styles and histories.
Completely landlocked within Southern Africa, the nation of Botswana is particularly susceptible to cultural trends and influences from surrounding countries, chiefly South Africa. However, there is a burgeoning arts scene native to Botswana, and the country also has a long history of distinct artistic traditions.
The oldest evidence of art in the country was found in the Tsodilo Hills, located in northwestern Botswana, in the Kalahari Desert. Dating to 1,000—2,000 years ago, these rock paintings form the highest concentration of rock art in the world and are considered sacred by the San minority culture. Today, the San are known for continuing the ancient arts of decorating ostrich eggshells for jewelry and creating ostrich eggshell beads, which they consider to represent good luck and good fortune. Archaeologists believe this type of bead to be the oldest-known man-made bead; they have been recovered at East and Southern African archaeological digs and dated to 28,000—45,000 years ago.
The National Museum and Art Gallery in Gaborone is the centrepiece of modern art in the country. It is widely regarded as one of the best art galleries in Southern Africa; it holds regular exhibitions highlighting the work of local artists and also sponsors an annual celebration for local art and artists. The National Museum also acts as custodian for the cultural heritage and traditions of the country, the duties of which include preservation, education, and promotion. Twentieth and twenty-first century painters include Phillip Segola, Ann Gollifer, and Neo Matome.
Spring in Gaborone, the capital city, sees the annual Maitisong Festival—the country's largest celebration of the performing arts. The festival includes free outdoor performances at city arenas as well as ticketed indoor events at Gaborone's theatres and arts venues. Performing arts organizations, such as the Mogwana Dance Troupe, are becoming more popular as more and more people embrace and wish to share their cultural heritage.
Local handcrafts, supported in large part by the tourist trade, are generally of the utilitarian variety. Handwoven baskets, one of the specialties associated with Botswana, are of extremely high quality. Made almost exclusively in the Okavango region, they are woven with the leaves of the Mokolwane palm and utilize various roots and barks in order to give the baskets their unique colours and designs (typically associated with the nation's traditional lifestyle). Due to the abundance of cattle livestock, leatherwork has also developed as an important and widespread handcraft. Traditionally used to make clothing, blankets, and sleeping mats, leather is today more often used to make designer bags, belts, and accessories.
41. Which of the following best describes the main idea of this passage?
A. European art is superior to all other art. B. African art is superior to all other art. C. Every country has a unique artistic tradition. D. Art is only a modern creation.
42. Which paragraph discusses the early history of art in Botswana?
A. Paragraph 3. B. Paragraph 4. C. Paragraph 5. D. Paragraph 6.
43. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A. All art in Botswana is thoroughly unique to that country. B. Art in Botswana has been influenced by neighbouring countries. C. Art in Botswana is a relatively recent invention. D. All art in Botswana consists of simple decorations.
44. This passage is best described as _______.
A. narrative fiction B. editorial non-fiction C. first-person history D. personal memoir
45. Which of the following would make the best title for the passage?
A. Influential Art of the World
B. A Critic's Opinion of Art in Botswana C. Botswana Masterpieces D. Art Without Notoriety
4
1. Many people about the influx of immigrants to our city, but I think it's actually a good thing
for the economy.
Your answer grumble
Correct answer grumble
2. Some issues, such as immigration and trade, have implications.
Your answer transnational
Correct answer transnational
3. One of the problems with reading e-books is that you can't take notes in the .
Your answer margin
Correct answer margin
4. The town council passed that made it easier for people to open small businesses.
Your answer legislation
Correct answer legislation
5. There are some mysteries that have scientists for centuries.
Your answer baffled
Correct answer baffled
6. I'm in shock—have you seen the stock market numbers this morning?
Your answer staggering
Correct answer staggering
7. We are all living in an increasingly society as more and more people move to different
countries.
Your answer multicultural
Correct answer multicultural
8. The computer's influence on our daily lives is immeasurable; it has had the most effect on
how humans live.