Professional Documents
Culture Documents
(7 Full) READING BU I 4
(7 Full) READING BU I 4
Example 1:
Rock music
There are many famous Rock bands and musicians, such as Hall and Oates or the Beach Boys.
The history of Rock goes back to the late 1940’s with artists such as African-American musician Chuck Berry using classic
Blues structures.
Rock developed through the decades with innovative takes on the genre by groups like Pink Floyd in the 1970’s and
Depeche Mode in the 1980’s, which music was inspired by Punk.
The text describes a number of facts relating to the development of Rock music. Which two facts relate to the very creation
of rock music?
A. The Beach Boys are a prominent rock band.
B. Early Rock dates back to the 1940’s.
C. Chuck Berry experimented with Blues music early on.
D. Punk was used to invent a new wave of rock.
VOCAB:
Prominent (adj) = very important, well - known
Example 2:
A In the second half of the seventeenth century, Russian authorities began implementing controls at the borders of their
empire to prevent the importation of plague, a highly infectious and dangerous disease. Information on disease outbreak
occurring abroad was regularly reported to the tsar’s court through various means, including commercial channels
(travelling merchants), military personnel deployed abroad, undercover agents, the network of Imperial Foreign Office
embassies and representations abroad, and the customs offices. For instance, the heads of customs offices were instructed
to question foreigners entering Russia about possible epidemics of dangerous diseases in their respective countries.
B If news of an outbreak came from abroad, relations with the affected country were suspended. For instance, foreign
vessels were not allowed to dock in Russian ports if there was credible information about the existence of epidemics in
countries from whence they had departed. In addition, all foreigners entering Russia from those countries had to undergo
quarantine.
Which TWO measures did Russia take in the seventeenth century to avoid plague outbreaks?
A Cooperation with foreign leaders.
B Spying.
C Military campaigns.
D Restrictions on access to its ports.
E Expulsion of foreigners.
VOCAB
Many American Indian art objects are basically intended to perform a service—for example, to act as a container or to
provide a means of worship. The particular utilitarian form that Native American arts take often reflects the social
organization of the cultures involved. Political and military societies seem to have found their major art forms in the world
of weaponry, regalia, and panoply. This is most pronounced in the Plains, Aztec, and Inca civilizations, all of which reflect
the dominant warrior culture in their arts. Those cultures in which life was heavily governed by religion tended toward a
greater degree of ceremonial art than those in which life was less ritualized. All of the aesthetic expressions that have come
down from the Maya, for example, obviously reflect the considerable weight of theocracy that existed in their
world.Generally, but not necessarily, the best of American Indian artwork was applied to those objects intended to please a
deity, soothe the angry gods, placate or frighten the evil spirits, and honour the newly born or recently deceased. Through
such means, Native Americans sought to control the environment and the human or supernatural beings that surrounded or
threatened them.
Some specific articles were reserved solely for religious uses, and some were for secular needs alone. Decoration does not
always provide a clue as to these uses. Some peoples used plainware bowls for food preparation, while others used
polychrome bowls for the same purpose. Many objects served a dual function: normally, they were used for everyday
household purposes, yet under a different set of circumstances they could fulfill a religious function. Beneath the surface,
there was a magic at work, and, in initiated hands, a mundane article might release its supernatural power, calling upon
unseen forces to aid its owner. This power might be visually evident in the form, shape, or decoration of the object or
might simply be believed in no matter what the physical state or appearance of the object might be. A Crow warrior’s
rawhide shield, for example, might be embellished with a symbolic drawing, as well as with such materials as sacred eagle
feathers and a crane’s head, in order to imbue him or her with such qualities as invulnerability and supernatural swiftness
and strength.
The aim of the American Indian artist was not merely to set down realistic records but to create the semi-magical designs
so common in the art of non-Western cultures. The artist quickly realized that he or she could not draw a tree as perfectly
as it could be made by the Creator; so, with common sense, the artist did not try. Instead, he or she sought the spirit or
essence of the tree and represented this in the design.
Not all American Indian art, however, was religious or political. There was also a considerable amount of mundane,
humorous, and even profane art produced by most cultures. Sufficient examples of eroticism remain from prehistoric and
recent times to indicate a wholly relaxed freedom of expression reflecting a healthy, naturalistic outlook.
Questions 1 – 4
Choose FOUR letters A-I.
Write the correct letters in boxes 1 – 5 on your answer sheet.
The text discusses artwork in different life aspects of American Indian civilizations. Which are FOUR underlying reasons
behind such artwork?
A. Art for governmental and martial purposes.
B. Portraying the military strength of a given society.
C. American Indian art was used for religious reasons.
D. Ensuring safety in their surroundings.
E. Different items served more than one purpose.
F. The physical aspect of an object could occasionally suggest the powers it contains.
G. Additional details and materials may add meaning and qualities to objects
H. Artwork to provide imperfect portrayal of objects or the natural world.
I. Capturing the substance of plants, beings and objects.
J. Art for comedic purposes.
Questions 18-22
Complete the summary below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 18-22 on your answer sheet.
Roman amphitheatres
The Roman stadiums of Europe have proved very versatile. The amphitheatre of Arles, for example, was converted first
into a 18______________________, then into a residential area and finally into an arena where spectators could watch
19____________________. Meanwhile, the arena in Verona, one of the oldest Roman amphitheatres, is famous today as a
venue where 20___________________ is performed. The site of Lucca’s amphitheatre has also been used for many
purposes over the centuries, including the storage of 21____________________. It is now a market square with
22_____________________ and homes incorporated into the remains of the Roman amphitheatre.
Questions 23-24
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Write the correct letters in boxes 23 and 24 on your answer sheet.
When comparing twentieth-century stadiums to ancient amphitheatres in Section D, which TWO negative features does the
writer mention?
A They are less imaginatively designed.
B They are less spacious.
C They are in less convenient locations.
D They are less versatile.
E They are made of less durable materials
Questions 25-26
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Write the correct letters in boxes 25 and 26 on your answer sheet.
Which TWO advantages of modern stadium design does the writer mention?
A offering improved amenities for the enjoyment of sports events
B bringing community life back into the city environment
C facilitating research into solar and wind energy solutions
D enabling local residents to reduce their consumption of electricity
E providing a suitable site for the installation of renewable power generators