Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Fine Arts, Exhibitions & Painters 9

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four individuals reviewing the integration of public art installations in their city and how it interacts with the daily commute of citizens.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people/sections (A-D). The people/sections may be chosen more than once.

Which person/section

1   mentions that the artwork creates a physical hindrance due to the crowds it attracts?

2   initially believed the city’s funds could have been better spent?

3   appreciates how the installations subtly blend into the existing infrastructure?

4   points out a potential danger to the public caused by a specific piece?

5   feels that the presence of the art makes their journey seem to pass more quickly?

6   uses the visual experience to mentally unwind after a demanding schedule?

7   states that the appearance of the installation shifts according to the climate?

8   expresses a preference for more historical or classical forms of decoration?

9   believes that the creative pieces act as an equalizer among city residents?

10   concedes that despite their personal dislike, the art successfully sparks dialogue?

Art on the Move: How Urban Installations are Changing Our Commute

A Mark

Every morning, I take the underground to the financial district. When the city council first announced they were investing heavily in the new light tunnels at Central Station, I was furious. I took it for granted that this was a terrible waste of taxpayers’ money, which could have been poured into improving the unreliable train timetable itself. However, my stance has completely shifted over the past few months. The installation, which bathes the pedestrian walkways in slow-pulsing, soothing neon colours, has worked wonders for my mood. After an exhausting, high-pressure day at the office, strolling through that corridor helps me let off steam. It forces me to slow my pace and clear my mind before I even reach my front door. While some fellow passengers still complain about the modern aesthetic, I’ve genuinely come to terms with it. In fact, if the lights are ever switched off for maintenance, I actually miss the calming effect they have on my evening commute.

B Sarah

As someone who cycles to university every day, I get a front-row seat to the city’s changing landscape. My absolute favourite addition is the enormous kinetic sculpture situated right by the river. It’s constructed from recycled metals that reflect the sky, and its rotating panels actually alter their speed and position depending on the wind and rain. Watching it transform throughout the seasons is absolutely fascinating. Nevertheless, the artwork’s popularity has become a bit of a double-edged sword for my daily ride. Because it looks so spectacular, it has become a hotspot for sightseers. I constantly find myself dodging tourists who step right onto the cycle lane without looking, just to snap the perfect selfie. It can be incredibly frustrating when you’re in a hurry to get to an early lecture. Despite the chaotic crowds and the sudden need to brake sharply, I wouldn’t want the sculpture removed. It brings a dynamic, progressive energy to what used to be a very grey, industrial part of town.

C David

I spend a large portion of my day behind the wheel, navigating the notorious traffic jams in the suburbs. Recently, a massive, highly abstract steel structure was erected on the main roundabout I use. Frankly, it’s a complete eyesore. I’ve always been drawn to conventional, bronze monuments that commemorate local historical figures, rather than these bizarre contemporary shapes that look like a car crash. More importantly, it’s a genuine safety hazard. During the summer, the polished metallic surface catches the afternoon sun and creates a blinding glare right in the eyes of oncoming drivers. I’m amazed there haven’t been more accidents. That being said, I have to admit that it certainly gets people talking. Whether I’m chatting with my neighbours or the local shopkeeper, everyone has a strong opinion on it. So, while I’d prefer a classic statue, I suppose I must accept that it has successfully initiated a community-wide debate, even if we’re all just bonding over how much we despise it!

D Emma

Walking to work used to be a monotonous chore, an endless trudge past identical grey office blocks. That all changed when a local collective embedded a series of small, quirky bronze figures directly into the pavement and brickwork along the high street. What I love most is how seamlessly they are integrated into the everyday environment; they don’t scream for attention like massive billboards, but if you look closely, they are everywhere. Searching for these hidden gems completely takes my mind off the tedious journey. In fact, the thirty-minute trek now feels like it flashes by in a matter of moments. Moreover, I’ve noticed a wonderful social side effect. I’ve seen businessmen in sharp suits and young teenagers alike stopping to admire the exact same pavement sculpture. It’s incredibly rare to find something that genuinely breaks down the invisible barriers between different social classes, but this playful urban project has managed to do just that, making the daily grind feel much more communal.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four artists sharing their anger at how their original designs were stolen and mass-produced by fast-fashion clothing corporations without credit.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people/sections (A-D). The people/sections may be chosen more than once.

Which person/section

1   mentions feeling forced to change their artistic style as a result of the theft?

2   was alerted to the plagiarism by a loyal customer?

3   expresses frustration over the prohibitive cost of pursuing legal justice?

4   points out that the corporation tried to justify the theft as a mere accident?

5   experienced a significant drop in their own financial income due to the copying?

6   took comfort in the overwhelming backing they received from the online public?

7   describes the surreal experience of seeing someone wearing their stolen work in public?

8   received a highly insulting financial offer from the company after complaining?

9   highlights the inferior manufacturing standards of the mass-produced items?

10   admits to briefly losing their motivation to create new artwork?

Stolen Stitches: When Fast Fashion Steals from Independent Artists

A Leo

As an independent illustrator, I pour my heart into every piece I create. Therefore, I was utterly staggered when I spotted a stranger on the underground sporting a jacket with my exact geometric tiger design printed on the back. Initially, I thought it was a custom bootleg, but a quick internet search revealed that a massive fast-fashion retailer was mass-producing it globally. I felt completely violated. If I had possessed the financial resources, I would undoubtedly have sued them for copyright infringement. However, after consulting a solicitor, I realised that taking them to court would have bankrupt me. These corporations know that freelance artists simply cannot afford the astronomical legal fees required to fight back. To be completely honest, the whole ordeal completely drained my desire to sketch for several months. I eventually bounced back, but it is incredibly disheartening to know that giant companies can essentially steal your livelihood and get away with it unpunished.

B Maya

My business revolves around creating ethical, sustainable clothing featuring my own botanical watercolours. A few months ago, a dedicated patron sent me a direct message with a link to a global brand’s new summer collection. They had blatantly lifted my most popular floral pattern and plastered it across hundreds of cheap dresses. The most frustrating aspect was the devastating impact on my monthly revenue; because the corporation was selling these garments at a fraction of my prices, my own sales plummeted overnight. Out of sheer curiosity, I actually ordered one of the stolen items to see it for myself. Unsurprisingly, the quality was absolutely appalling. It was made from flimsy, synthetic materials, and my beautiful, delicate brushstrokes had been reduced to a blurry, pixelated mess. It is infuriating that these fast-fashion giants not only steal our hard work without giving any credit, but they also ruin the integrity of the art by reproducing it so terribly.

C Tariq

When you upload digital graphics to the internet, there is always a risk that someone might borrow your ideas. However, what happened to my retro skateboarding skeleton logo went far beyond taking inspiration. A notoriously unethical clothing empire downloaded the high-resolution file from my portfolio and printed it on thousands of hoodies. I immediately drafted a furious email to their headquarters demanding compensation. Unbelievably, their legal department replied with a dismissive letter, boldly asserting that their in-house team had independently conceived the identical design and that any resemblance was a purely random coincidence. It was an outright lie. Furious, I posted a side-by-side comparison video on my social media channels. Fortunately, it went viral within hours. The flood of solidarity I received from my internet followers was genuinely heartwarming. That massive wave of public support was the only thing that kept me from feeling entirely powerless against such a massive corporate machine.

D Sofia

I specialise in hand-lettering, and my typography has always been quite distinct. When a major high-street retailer launched a new line of canvas bags featuring my exact motivational quotes in my signature handwriting, I was absolutely livid. My agent immediately contacted them, pointing out the blatant plagiarism. Rather than issuing a public apology or removing the items from their stores, they offered me a laughable sum of £100 as a so-called ‘gesture of goodwill’. It was a highly offensive slap in the face, considering they were making thousands in profit from my creativity. I turned down the money out of principle. As a direct consequence of this theft, I have deliberately evolved my creative approach. I now incorporate incredibly intricate, hidden details and complex shading into my lettering, making it exceptionally difficult for lazy corporations to simply copy and paste my work. I refuse to let them dictate my career, but it certainly forced me to adapt.

Exercises:   123456