托福阅读历年真题精选36
Questions 41-50The stylistic innovation in paining known as Impressionism began in the 1870’s. The Impressionists wanted to depict what they saw in nature, but they were inspired to portray fragmentary moments by the increasingly fast pace of modern life. They concentrated on
the play of light over objects, people, and nature, breaking up seemingly solid surfaces,
(5 ) stressing vivid contrast between colors in sunlight and shade, and depiction reflected light
in all of its possibilities. Unlike earlier artists, they did not want to observe the world from indoors. They abandoned the studio, painting in the open air and recording spontaneous Impressions of their subjects instead of making outside sketches and then moving indoors
to complete the work form memory.
(10) Some of the Impressionists’ painting methods were affected by technological
advances. For example, the shift from the studio to the open air was made possible in
part by the advent of cheap rail travel, which permitted easy and quick access to the
countryside or seashore, as well as by newly developed chemical dyes and oils that led
to collapsible paint tubes, which enabled artists to finish their paintings on the spot.
(15) Impressionism acquired its name not from supporters but from angry art lovers who
felt threatened by the new painting. The term “Impressionism” was born in 1874,when
a group of artists who had been working together organized an exhibition of their
paintings in order to draw public attention to their work. Reaction from the public and
press was immediate, and derisive. Among the 165 paintings exhibited was one called
(20)Impression: Sunrise, by Claude Monet(1840-1926),Viewed through hostile eyes,
Monet’s painting of a rising sun over a misty, watery scene seemed messy, slapdash,
and an affront to good taste. Borrowing Monet’s title, art critics extended the term“Impressionism” to the entire exhibit. In response, Monet and his 29 fellow artists in
the exhibit adopted the same name as a badge of their unity, despite individual differences.
(25) From then until 1886 Impressionism had all the zeal of a “church”, as the painter Renoir
put it. Monet was faithful to the Impressionist creed until his death, although many of the
others moved on to new styles.
41 What aspect of painting in the nineteenth century does the passage mainly discuss?
(A) The impact of some artists’ resistance to the fast pace of life
(B) The differences between two major styles of art
(C) A technological advance in the materials used by artists
(D) A group of artists with a new technique and approach to art
托福阅读历年真题精选36
42 The word “depict” in line 2 is closest in meaning to</p>(A) reorganize(B) deform
(C) represent
(D) justify
43 According to the passage, which of the following was one of the distinguishing characteristics of Impressionist painting?
(A) The emphasis on people rather than nature scenes
(B) The way the subjects were presented from multiple angles
(C) The focus on small solid objects
(D) The depiction of the effects of light and color
44 Which of the following is a significant way in which Impressionists were different from the artists that preceded them?
(A) They began by making sketches of their subjects
(B) They painted their subjects out-of-doors
(C) They preferred to paint from memory
(D) They used subjects drawn from modern life
45 The word “advent” in line 12 is closest in meaning to
(A) achievement
(B) acceptance
(C) arrival
(D) advantage
46 The exhibition of paintings organized in 1874 resulted in all of the following EXCEPT
(A) attracting attention from the public
(B) a negative reaction from the press
(C) an immediate demand for the paintings exhibited
(D) creating a name for a new style of painting
47 The word “affront” in line 22 is closest in meaning to
(A) insult
(B) encouragement
(C) return
(D) credit
48 The rejection of the Impressionist exhibition by critics was caused by which of the following?
(A) The small number of paintings on display
(B) Lack of interest in exhibitions by young artists
(C) The similarity between all the paintings exhibited
(D) Anger about seemingly poorly painted art
49 The author mentions Renoir in line 25 to give an example of an artist who
(A) became as famous as Monet
(B) was consistently praised by art critics
(C) described the enthusiasm of the Impressionists for their work
(D) was in favor of a traditional style of painting
50 The word “others” in line 27 refers to
(A) art critics
(B) fellow artists
(C) individual differences
(D) new styles
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