Question

    We see art everywhere around us. In public parks, city squares, shopping streets and public buildings, we find modem art objects on display. Classical art, such as valuable paintings, precious statues and other fine arts, usually ends up in the collections of museums, companies or rich people.

Both art and architecture have a history of ages. All forms and ways of expressing the beautiful things have been explored. In the case of architecture, many buildings designed in the past have proven beautiful and served their purposes. Governments and companies could save millions of dollars by building or copying designs of architecture of buildings from the past. There are still many designs for buildings made by famous architects that were never realized. Besides, some people find modern architecture ugly. So why should we pay a lot of money to architects for designing new buildings?

The same holds for modern art, both paintings and statues. Many storerooms contain enough art lo decorate all public buildings and other public places. There is no need to create more art, and as with modern architecture，many people find new art difficult to understand or appreciate.

Given these facts, why are architects and artists asked to create new art works? The answers have to do with the function of art in society today. First of all, the function of art is to decorate. Art works make our living environment more beautiful. Another function of art is enriching real life. Art helps people to learn to think creatively. In art things are not always what they seem to be. Very often you can hardly tell what the funny art objects are. People need such creative moments. Finally, art is often seen as a way to instruct the audience. Statues of heroes from the past remind us of our history. Paintings and other art objects can also help us realise which goals we should set for ourselves.

Because ideas about society change and every period of time has its own taste, there is always a need for new art. We can still appreciate the beautiful art works made in the past but they are often too valuable to be placed in public buildings. Besides, they also often need  special protection.

1.Who owns collections of ancient statues and paintings?

A.Public parks or city squares.

B.Shopping streets or public buildings.

C.Museums, companies or rich people.

D.In some historical sites or private possessions.

2.What's the writing purpose of Paragraph 2?

A.To explain why some people find modem art ugly.

B.To introduce the reason for the necessity of new art.

C.To show the benefits of copying designs from the past.

D.To prove both art and architecture have a long history.

3.Why can't we use old art to decorate public buildings?

A.Because they need long-lasting restoring.

B.Because more people prefer modem art.

C.Because of the changes and difference of tastes.

D.Because of their value and need for protection.

4.What does the fourth paragraph mainly talk about?

A.The functions of art in society.

B.The functions of architecture,

C.The reason why art is difficult.

D.The reason why art is precious.

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.C

4.A

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了古代艺术和现代艺术，以及它们在社会中所起的作用。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段Classical art, such as valuable paintings, precious statues and other fine arts, usually ends up in the collections of museums, companies or rich people. (古典艺术，如珍贵的绘画、珍贵的雕像和其他艺术作品，通常会被博物馆、公司或富人收藏)可知古代雕像和绘画收藏品被博物馆、公司或富人拥有。C. Museums, companies or rich people. (博物馆、公司或富人)符合以上说法，故选C项。

2.推理判断题。根据本段的主要内容，尤其是So why should we pay a lot of money to architects for designing new buildings?(那么，为什么我们要为建筑师设计新的建筑付很多钱呢)可推测本段的目的是介绍新艺术产生的必要性。B. To introduce the reason for the necessity of new art. (介绍新艺术产生的必要性)符合以上推测，故选B项。

3.细节理解题。根据最后一段的Because ideas about society change and every period of time has its own taste，there is always a need for new art. We can still appreciate the beautiful art works made in the past but they are often too valuable to be placed in public buildings. (因为社会观念的改变，每一个时期都有自己的品味，所以总是需要新的艺术，我们仍然可以欣赏过去制作的美丽的艺术作品，但这些作品通常很珍贵，无法放置在公共建筑中。)可知我们不能用老艺术来装饰公共建筑是因为口味的变化和差异。C. Because of the changes and difference of tastes. (因为口味的变化和差异)符合以上推测，故选C项。

4.主旨大意题。根据本段的主要内容，尤其是Given these facts, why are architects and artists asked to create new art works? The answers have to do with the function of art in society today. (考虑到这些事实，那么为什么建筑师和艺术家被要求创造新的艺术作品呢？答案和当今艺术在社会的作用有关)可知本段主要介绍了艺术在社会中的作用。A. The functions of art in society. (艺术在社会中的作用)符合以上说法，故选A项。