The Reading / Listening - Level 5

A thought-provoking British artist has said children visiting art galleries is "a total waste of time". Jake Chapman made his controversial comments in an interview with a newspaper. He also said other things that might anger parents, child development experts, and children. He said parents were "arrogant" for thinking children could understand modern art. He said showing a child a painting by an abstract artist was an "insult" to the artist. Mr Chapman explained that it was like telling the artist their art is "as moronic as a child". He also said: "Children are not human yet."

Chapman has created a stir in the art world. Artist Anthony Gormley said: "I don't think art is to be understood….It is to be felt. Feeling comes before understanding." London's National Gallery said: "Children benefit a great deal from visiting art galleries and museums. It widens their horizons." A BBC Arts Editor said Chapman's comments were made to get the media to give him more attention. He said it was a simple formula to promote an exhibition. The artist says something crazy to the press, who then write a lot about it. After that, ticket sales for the exhibition soar.

Try the same news story at these levels:

    Level 4 or  Level 6

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28639242
  • http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/04/jake-chapman-snob-children-galleries-gifts
  • http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/a-gallery-visit-leave-the-children-at-home-says-top-artist-9644678.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The Activities

MATCHING

PARAGRAPH ONE:

1.

A thought-

a.

comments in an interview

2.

a total

b.

the artist

3.

Chapman made his controversial

c.

understand modern art

4.

things that might

d.

abstract artist

5.

arrogant for thinking children could

e.

provoking British artist

6.

a painting by an

f.

moronic as a child

7.

an "insult" to

g.

waste of time

8.

their art is as

h.

anger parents



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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
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PARAGRAPH TWO:

1.

Chapman has created a

a.

before understanding

2.

I don't think art is

b.

horizons

3.

Feeling comes

c.

to be understood

4.

Children benefit a great deal

d.

promote an exhibition

5.

It widens their

e.

stir in the art world

6.

get the media to give

f.

the exhibition soar

7.

a simple formula to

g.

from visiting art galleries

8.

ticket sales for

h.

him more attention

LISTEN AND FILL IN THE GAPS

A thought-provoking British (1) ___________________ visiting art galleries is "(2) ___________________". Jake Chapman made his controversial comments (3) ___________________ a newspaper. He also said other things that might anger parents, child development experts, and children. He said parents were (4) ___________________ children could understand modern art. He said showing a child a painting (5) ___________________ was an "insult" to the artist. Mr Chapman explained that it was like telling the artist their art is "(6) ___________________". He also said: "Children are not human yet."

Chapman has (7) ___________________ the art world. Artist Anthony Gormley said: "I don't think art is to be understood….It is to be felt. Feeling (8) ___________________." London's National Gallery said: "Children benefit a (9) ___________________ art galleries and museums. It widens their horizons." A BBC Arts Editor said Chapman's (10) ___________________ to get the media to give (11) ___________________. He said it was a simple formula to promote an exhibition. The artist says something crazy to the press, who then (12) ___________________. After that, ticket sales for the exhibition soar.



ART GALLERY SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about art galleries in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

WRITE QUESTIONS & ASK YOUR PARTNER(S)

Student A: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)

________________________________________________________

b)

________________________________________________________

c)

________________________________________________________

d)

________________________________________________________

e)

________________________________________________________

f)

________________________________________________________

g)

________________________________________________________

h)

________________________________________________________

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Student B: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)

________________________________________________________

b)

________________________________________________________

c)

________________________________________________________

d)

________________________________________________________

e)

________________________________________________________

f)

________________________________________________________

g)

________________________________________________________

h)

________________________________________________________

FREE WRITING

Write about art galleries for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Answers

(Please check your answers against the article above.

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