INGLS. Certificado de Aptitud. Comprensin de lectura.

IN CS CL M1A CR

PART ONE (6 x 1 mark = 6 marks)

Read the following texts and match them to the most suitable heading
from the list supplied. Each heading can be used only ONCE. Three of
these headings are not to be used. Text 0 has been matched to heading I
as an example.

MARK

THE TURNER PRIZE: IS IT ART?

"Cold, mechanical, conceptual bullshit" is how
culture minister Kim Howells has described this
year's Turner Prize entries.
Do you find Mr Howells' frankness refreshing or
limiting? Are his views old-fashioned to you or
truthful? How much credibility does the
controversial Turner Prize have with you?
TEXT 0
If you take the broad view that art is the expression of the individual for the enjoyment of the
many, then the Turner entries are art if people enjoy them. That they are tenth-rate pieces of
sub-kindergarten tat unfit to grace the interior of an abandoned skip is another matter. I
congratulate these artists for making a tidy living out of the crass cow-like stupidity of the rest
of us. (Alex Ainley, Italy)
TEXT 1

Every year we have the same controversy. Well, it is art, you may not like it or understand it
but that doesn't stop it being art. I am pleased that many artists are not pandering to the
'chocolate box' tastes of the majority and at least attempting to push art forward in new
directions. Personally, I find modern art exciting, and have done since my first visit to Madrid's
Museum of Modern Art. Of course 'traditional' art has merit but not to the exclusion of
contemporary art. (Martin, UK)
TEXT 2

I read a comment that said the entries for the Turner Prize at least made you think! Well I'm
sorry but that is total nonsense. The entries don't make me think they just make me angry and
sad. How anyone can possibly mistake the dross that some of these people call "art" is utterly
beyond me, and, I would hope beyond most sane people! The minister made very honest
comments and I would like to thank him on behalf of all of us who recognise this rubbish for
what it really is; a way for people with no talent to gain some attention! (Kenny Toal, Scotland)
TEXT 3

I'm very displeased with the Turner Prize and its given "celebrity" status. What you see on
display is nothing new. Conceptual Art has been around for a long time (see Marcel
Duchamp) so all these newcomers that are praised for their new ideas and for moving art into
new directions are not pushing art into new directions at all. They are stuck and they have no
new ideas or skill. Is the press making use of the lack of knowledge (notice I didn't use the
word ignorance) from the public that makes the contest and its participants popular. (Antonio,
UK)

INGLS. Certificado de Aptitud. Comprensin de lectura. IN CS CL M1A CR

TEXT 4

The objective of this type of art is to make people feel emotion, regardless of whether that
emotion is positive or negative. If you feel sadness or pity for these artists, you've completed
your part of the bargain with them; they have gotten an emotion out of you. Personally, I make
a point of not feeling anything. I have no gripe against modern art, but the Turner Prize
ignores an awful lot of good art in order to show us the ordinary. (Peter Connolly, England)
TEXT 5

Some this year are truly good. Yet the one that is attracting the media attention frankly does
not deserve it. It is a total waste of canvas and anyone in my department could have done it.
The three favourites are great. All of them deserve merit and are separately and differently
brilliant. Yet again, though, it has become a media circus of the obscure and this is what I
detest about the Turner Prize. It ruins what is honestly good in the competition. (Mel, London)
TEXT 6

The Turner Prize contestants are chosen as a result of their track records over the previous
year. If people are not familiar with the works made by the artists prior to their selection then,
inevitably, they will find their entry exhibits inaccessible. I work in the arts, I travel abroad on
business and I am well aware of the reasons that presently ensure that Britart has such an
important place in the international art world. If you still cannot understand what I am on about
then try asking why it is that Tate Modern has such a high level of visitor attendance. (John
Lawrence, UK)
Adapted from BBC 2004
Cartoon by CHRIS MADDEN

A STRAIGHTFORWARD VOICE AT LAST!

TEXT

HEADING

DIFFERENT TRENDS CAN COEXIST

I DO NOT RESPOND TO PROVOCATION

INNOVATION MUST ALWAYS BE CONTROVERSIAL

IT IS CLEVER BUT IS IT ART?

ITS THE SAME OLD STUFF ANYWAY

ONE HAS TO UNDERSTAND RATHER THAN FEEL

SO MANY PEOPLE CANNOT BE WRONG

THEY ARE PULLING OUR LEGS

TOO MUCH PUBLICITY

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