PT English PT13 – Sample Questions

Reading Comprehension

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

Public Art

Public art can be found all over the world. Some of the most iconic landmarks in cities are
works of public art: the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of hope in New York City, and the Eiffel
Tower is a renowned sculpture in Paris. In addition to beautifying cities, public art can bring
attention and a sense of identity to less populated regions. Mount Rushmore, in South Dakota,
draws over three million visitors every year who admire the four presidents carved into the
Black Hills. Although not without controversies, public art serves to bring people together and
often encourages civilians to consider issues of significance.

Public art unites communities by offering people opportunities to come together and explore
open spaces. One example of this is The Gates of Central Park, a temporary installation in New
York that was completed in 2005. Two artists placed 7,500 crimson “gates” along the pathways
in Central Park for visitors to explore and admire. Another example is the permanent sculpture,
Cloud Gate, in Chicago’s Millennium Park. Popularly known as “The Bean” due to its curved
shape, this large silver sculpture draws thousands of visitors daily to admire their reflections
and take pictures of the city skyline reflected on its surface. In large cities where life can be
isolating, public art fosters community by bringing people together to experience and
appreciate different works.

City residents have opportunities to network and help worthy causes when public art is
interactive. Recently, in Philadelphia, the Fireflies project suspended hundreds of illuminated
Chinese lanterns from pedi-cabs1 and invited visitors to race the cabs along the Benjamin
Franklin Parkway every evening. As visitors pedaled, they created a captivating lightshow. The
Fundred Dollar Bill Project taking place throughout the United States encourages members of
the public to design and submit their own hundred-dollar bills. The collected artwork is used
to raise money to fight lead pollution.

As with the Fundred Dollar Bill Project, public art often makes a point. Isabelle Garbani’s
Invasive Species is an installation in an empty Wisconsin farmhouse. Featuring more than 5,000
pieces of colorful plastic kudzu2, it forces viewers to consider the dangers of introducing alien
plant and animal species to new environments. In 2014, Nora Ligorano and Marshall Reese
used the temporary qualities of ice to make a statement about the environment. The artists
carved the words “THE FUTURE” into a large ice sculpture in Manhattan during the United
Nations Climate Summit. They then left it to melt, as a graphic representation of threats posed
by climate change.
 PT English PT13 – Sample Questions

Public art does not please everyone. One criticism is that public art is funded by the
government, which means taxpayers fund its creation. It could be argued that if members of a
community disagree with the message of a work, or consider a work of art unsightly, they have
a right to feel cheated. After all, they have paid for it. In addition, public art is often deliberately
dramatic and created on a large scale. This allows it to capture attention and fill space.
However, if people dislike the artwork, it can be hard to ignore.

Public art can also disrupt and inconvenience civilians. Richart Serra’s Tilted Arc was a
massive steel barrier that was 120 feet long and 20 feet wide. Placed in the middle of Federal
Plaza in Manhattan, it slowed down pedestrian traffic considerably. It was eventually removed
because of complaints. In London, artist Pierre Vivant installed a work called Traffic Light
Tree on a busy highway. It caused chaos when drivers mistook its 75 sets of lights for real
traffic lights. A tragic public art controversy took place in County Durham, England in 2006.
There, artist Maurice Agis placed Dreamspace V, an inflatable bouncy castle that visitors could
climb through. It came loose from its moorings while on display and floated into the air.
Unfortunately, the two people who were inside the work at the time fell from it, and were killed.
Thirteen others suffered serious injuries.

While controversies surrounding public art are inevitable, works can be inspiring. People have
different opinions––art that pleases some people might bother or offend others. Some argue
that even if the public does not appreciate a work of art, if a piece stirs debate or starts
conversations, it benefits a community. It is also important to note that views of public art can
shift over time. When the Eiffel Tower was erected in 1889, it was despised by most artists,
architects, and intellectuals of Paris. They thought it was hideous. Today, it is a beloved icon
of the city. Wherever public art is located, it usually benefits those who behold it––and at the
very least, it prompts them to consider different perspectives.

1
pedi-cab: a bicycle with a cart or additional seat attached to its back
2
kudzu: a group of plants that originated in Asia
 PT English PT13 – Sample Questions

1. Skim paragraphs 1–4. Choose two reasons that show why certain people admire public
art.

a. Public art cultivates a sense of community.

b. Worthy causes can easily be promoted by public art.
c. Public art enables some people to become successful entrepreneurs.
d. People can use public art to express their pain.
e. Artists use public art to bring laughter to people.
f. Public art can be used to reduce crime.

2. Read the following quotation from paragraph 2 and then complete the sentence below.

“Another example is the permanent sculpture, Cloud Gate, in Chicago’s Millennium Park.
Popularly known as “The Bean” due to its curved shape, this large silver sculpture draws
thousands of visitors daily to admire their reflections and take pictures of the city skyline
reflected on its surface.”

The quotation suggests that __________.

a. public art can become an inconvenience

b. public art can ignite political conversations
c. public art can become a tourist attraction
d. public art can bring people hope

3. Choose one quotation that suggests that people can feel lonely in life.

a. “Although not without controversies, public art … often encourages civilians to

consider issues of significance.” (paragraph 1)
b. “In large cities where life can be isolating, public art fosters community by bringing
people together to experience and appreciate different works.” (paragraph 2)
c. “It could be argued that if members of a community disagree with the message of a
work, or consider a work of art unsightly, they have a right to feel cheated.”
(paragraph 5)
d. “Public art can also disrupt and inconvenience civilians.” (paragraph 6)

4. Choose one word from paragraph 3 that shows that the Fireflies project was a success.

a. network
b. worthy
c. illuminated
d. captivating
 PT English PT13 – Sample Questions

5. According to the text, what was one of the benefits of the Fundrend Dollar Bill Project?

a. It encouraged people to appreciate isolation

b. It involved a captivating light show.
c. It allowed athletes to compete in a public contest.
d. It encouraged people’s creativity.

6. Choose one quotation that shows an example of public art used to promote pressing social
causes.

a. “Another example is the permanent sculpture, Cloud Gate, in Chicago’s Millennium

Park. Popularly known as “The Bean” due to its curved shape, this large silver
sculpture draws thousands of visitors daily to admire their reflections and take
pictures of the city skyline reflected on its surface.” (paragraph 2)
b. “Recently, in Philadelphia, the Fireflies project suspended hundreds of illuminated
Chinese lanterns from pedi-cabs (bicycles with a cart or additional seat attached to the
back) and invited visitors to race the cabs along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway every
evening. As visitors pedaled, they created a captivating lightshow.” (paragraph 3)
c. “Isabelle Garbani’s Invasive Species is an installation in an empty Wisconsin
farmhouse. Featuring more than 5,000 pieces of colorful plastic kudzu (a group of
plants that originated in Asia), it forces viewers to consider the dangers of introducing
alien plant and animal species to new environments.” (paragraph 4)
d. “Richart Serra’s Tilted Arc was a massive steel barrier that was 120 feet long and 20
feet wide. Placed in the middle of Federal Plaza in Manhattan, it slowed down
pedestrian traffic considerably. It was eventually removed because of complaints.”
(paragraph 6)

7. Why did Ligorano and Reese carve the words “THE FUTURE” in all capital letters?

a. to alert other artists to the uncertain future of public art

b. to emphasize how troubling the future will be if the current climate change continues
c. to reflect the anger of the citizens of Manhattan about climate change
d. to describe how bright the future can be when people gather together in summits

8. Skim paragraphs 5 and 6. Identify two reasons people may dislike public art.

a. Public art is reported to have caused massive cases of city pollution.

b. Taxpayers funding public art may find the artwork unappealing.
c. People may become distracted by public art and overlook important social issues.
d. Some people have not been exposed to quality art before.
e. Public art can become an inconvenience and a safety hazard.
 PT English PT13 – Sample Questions

9. In what way is paragraph 5 different from paragraphs 1–4?

a. Paragraph 5 discusses the drawbacks of public art while paragraphs 1–4 discuss the
benefits.
b. Paragraph 5 discusses the benefits of public art while paragraphs 1–4 discuss the
drawbacks.
c. Paragraph 5 discusses who usually funds public art while paragraphs 1–4 discuss how
public art is used for activism.
d. Paragraph 5 discusses who usually funds public art while paragraphs 1–4 discuss how
public art unites people.

10. What does the author say about Maurice Agis?

a. His creation shed light on climate change.

b. His creation encouraged people to get creative.
c. His creation led to confusion on a busy highway.
d. His creation caused two people’s deaths.

11. Read the following quotation from paragraph 7:

“Wherever public art is located, it usually benefits those who behold it––and at the
very least, it prompts them to consider different perspectives.”

What does the word “usually” suggest about the writer’s attitude toward public art?

a. Public art has no drawbacks; it always benefits society.

b. Public art is ultimately good for society despite its drawbacks.
c. Public art does not allow people to think and reflect.
d. Public art has the power to bring people together.

12. Skim the whole text. Which two statements about public art are true?

a. Public art is a way for civilians to come together.

b. Public art is a way for artists to hide who they are.
c. Public art is funded by charities.
d. The Bean is a site in Chicago that is much-loved by visitors.
e. Richart Serra’s Dreamspace V was a massive steel barrier.
f. The Eiffel Tower is an example of artists instantly loving a piece of public art.