©REUTERS/Eva Marie Uzcategui/File Photo
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
講師がそれぞれの質問を読むので答えましょう。
- Is art more about skill or creativity?
- Do you think modern art is easier to understand than traditional art?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
単語、意味、例文を読みます。講師に続いて音読しましょう。
- consist /kuhn-SIST/
- value /VAL-yoo/
- responsible /ri-SPON-suh-buhl/
- funny /FUHN-ee/
- meteorite /MEE-tee-uh-rahyt/
[verb] – to be made up of or composed of something
The committee consists of five members.
[noun] – the amount of money that can be received for something
The antique painting was appraised at a value of $500,000.
[adjective] – having an obligation to do something or being accountable for something
He is responsible for managing the team’s schedule.
[adjective] – causing laughter or amusement
The comedian told a funny story about his childhood.
[noun] – a small body from space that reaches the Earth’s surface
Scientists study meteorites to understand the early solar system.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
記事を音読しましょう。講師はあなたの発音とイントネーションを確認します。
A controversial artwork titled “Comedian,” created by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, sold for $6.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction in New York on November 20, 2024. The artwork consists of a banana duct-taped to a wall and was purchased by cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun. “Comedian” was first shown at Art Basel in Miami in 2019, where it sparked debates about what art truly is. The display was so popular it had to be removed for safety reasons. Bidding started at $800,000 and quickly rose above the expected value of $1.5 million. Justin Sun won the auction over the phone, paying with cryptocurrency. The buyer is responsible for replacing the banana as it decays. Many art experts have called “Comedian” both funny and absurd, reflecting the current art market’s excessiveness. Sun explained that the piece connects art, internet memes, and cryptocurrency, potentially inspiring future discussions. This work follows Cattelan’s past provocative pieces, like a golden toilet and a pope statue hit by a meteorite. While praised, the piece raises questions about whether it represents true creativity or just extravagance.
True or False:
Read the sentences and identify if they are true or false based on the article.
文章を読んで、記事に基づいて正誤を答えましょう。
- The artwork “Comedian” is a painting by Maurizio Cattelan.
- “Comedian” was sold for $6.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction.
- The artwork “Comedian” features a golden toilet.
- The artwork “Comedian” includes a banana duct-taped to a wall.
- The buyer does not need to replace the banana when it decays.
Fill in the blanks:
Choose the correct word from the table, then fill in the blanks.
適切な言葉を選んで空欄を埋めましょう。
| consists | value | responsible | funny | meteorite |
- A rare _________ was found in the desert after a storm.
- He is __________ for taking care of the company’s financial records.
- The house’s __________ increased significantly after the renovations were completed.
- The meal __________ mainly of fresh vegetables and fruits.
- She told a __________ joke that brightened up the entire room.