NC BOOK 4 UNIT 8

New Connection—Book 4

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UNIT 8

Unusual
Mediums of Art
Starting Off:
Using unexpected items to make art is becoming a popular trend among
modern artists. Maurice Bennett, an artist from New Zealand, creates
fabulous artwork out of pieces of toast! Scottish artist David Mach is
another example; his works are made from coat hangers. What is the
most unusual piece of artwork you have seen? Did you like it? Why or
why not? What is your general opinion of art made from unusual items?
Do you think it has as much value as traditional paintings or sculptures?
Explain your reasoning.
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GETTING READY
Task I
Listen to the audio. Circle the correct choices in the show
descriptions.

Time

Name

Description

5:00
p.m.

Classic
Paintings
from the
Past

The evolution of art owes a lot to the
styles that began during the
 Renaissance / Medieval period. This
was when  watercolor / oil paintings
become prominent, and when artists
moved from wooden panels to
 canvases / murals.

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GETTING READY

6:30
p.m.

Abstract This documentary explores the lives of
Art
the most famous Impressionist painters
Masters and their pieces, which focused on 
outdoor settings / internal struggles,

as well as later Expressionists, who
used their  perceptions of the
world / innermost feelings as subjects
for their works.

8:30
p.m.

Modern
Art
Styles

Recent artistic movements show some
artists’ preference for creating works
with a
 resemblance to real things / focus
on shapes and colors. Pop art is often
compared to  comics / landscapes,
and photorealism is said to be so
 unrealistic / lifelike that it’s
impossible to tell that a digital camera
wasn’t involved in those creations.
4


GETTING READY
Audio Transcripts:

Karen: Hey, Joel. What are you reading?
Joel:

It’s the TV schedule for tonight. On that new arts
channel, they’re running an art documentary1 marathon.
Karen: That doesn’t sound too great to me.
Joel:
Really? I think art is fascinating. The first show of the
night is about styles that originated2 during the Renaissance3.
Karen: Hmm, well I do like oil paintings. They’re so beautiful and
intricate4. I wish I was skilled enough to work with that medium.
Joel:
Did you know that stretched canvas wasn’t popular until
that period? Before that, people painted on panels of wood.
Karen: That is interesting. What’s on after that one?
Joel:
It’s a movie about the artists in the field of abstract art. It
covers Impressionism5 in the late 19th century and
Expressionism6 in the early 20th century.
Karen: How are those styles different?
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GETTING READY
Audio Transcripts:

Joel:
Impressionists preferred painting natural scenery in outdoor
settings7. They focused on colors and their overall perception8 of the
landscape, rather than precise details. Expressionists, on the other hand,
were concerned with showing their innermost9 feelings to the world.
Often the subjects of these pieces have no resemblance10 to things
seen in the real world. Sometimes they’re just shapes!

Karen: Those styles are certainly not my cup of tea11. I prefer art that looks like
what it is representing.
Joel:
Well, you’ll like the final documentary of the night then. It’s
about the modern styles of pop art12 and photorealism13.
Karen: Oh, I know pop art! Those pieces look like advertisements or comics.
Joel:
You’re right. And in photorealism, artists attempt to make their
pieces so lifelike14 that they look like photos.
Karen: I would be really impressed if I saw a painting that looked that real! I think
I’m going to watch the marathon tonight, too! Thanks for letting me know
about it.
Joel:
No problem!
6


GETTING READY
Task II
Listen to the audio and decide which type of art the following students
would enjoy learning how to create.

Impressionism

Pop art

7

Renaissance

WORD POWER

Audio Transcripts:
No.1
Hi, I’m Melody. You’ll hardly ever catch me indoors because I love being
outside. I get really inspired by the natural beauty of the world, so I
enjoy art that represents that.
No.2
Hello, I’m Damon. I’m not a huge fan of art, but I do love reading
comics. If I could learn how to draw or paint in that style, I would
probably become a bigger fan of art in general.
No.3
Lucas here. I’ve always been intrigued with older, more classic painting
styles. Oil paintings are a particular favorite of mine. Painters of those
are so skilled that I can’t help but be in awe15 of them!

8


WORD POWER
A. Listen Up
Listen to the audio. Note the location of each piece of artwork on the
floor plan.

self-portrait

landscape

sculpture

ceramic

collage

sketch

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WORD POWER
Audio Transcripts:

Jeremy: Donna, thanks for helping me set up the gallery1. I’m so excited
about this show in honor of2 Vincent van Gogh.
Donna: It’s no problem. I’m a big fan of van Gogh, too. Hmm, I’m pretty
sure I know what this ceramic3 ear represents!
Jeremy: Yeah. It looks like the artist took a literal4 approach. Let’s put
that near the front entrance. It should put visitors in a good
mood.
Donna: Sure. How about all these photographs?
Jeremy: Oh, they’re part of a collage5 of pictures of important places in
van Gogh’s life.
Donna: Cool! I think that piece should go in the center here, where it’ll
get a lot of attention.
Jeremy: Good idea. Then on the opposite wall we can put this sculpture6
of sunflowers.
Donna: Actually, I think it should go to the left of the doors to the
courtyard7. People will be able to see this representation of
flowers and then go outside and look at real ones.

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WORD POWER
Audio Transcripts:

Jeremy: I like that. It makes a connection between art and life. Next, I
have a print of a van Gogh self-portrait8. I’d like to post it by the
front to get people in the mood for the rest of the show.
Donna: OK. So, when people come into the gallery, they’ll see the
picture on the left and the ear on the right.
Jeremy: Perfect. Then they’ll move forward and see the photos next to
the ceramic piece.
Donna: Uh-huh. And then how about following that with this sketch9 of a
nighttime sky?
Jeremy: OK. The last piece is this watercolor10 landscape11.
Donna: That’s beautiful! It’s Paris, right?
Jeremy: Yeah, you have a good eye! It looks like the last spot available
is in the middle here.
Donna: You’re right. We’re all done!

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WORD POWER
B. Word Focus: Color Words
Fill in the blanks with the words from the box.

1. Colors such as blue and green are considered ______________,
cool

while
warm
ones like red and orange are ______________.
shade
2. If you want a darker ______________
of a color, just add black to it.
Likewise, you can add white to lighten it. If you lighten a color enough,
pastel
you’ll create a ______________.
primary
3. Red, yellow, and blue are ______________
colors. These can be mixed
together to create the ______________
secondary colors, orange, purple, and green.
complement each other.
4. When two colors look good together, they ______________
clash
They ______________
if they don’t.

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WORD POWER
C. Speak Out Loud
Imagine that you have been given the task of commissioning a piece
of art for your city. Work with a partner to come up with a plan and
then present it to the class.

13

CONVERSATION ZONE

（（（（（（（

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CONVERSATION ZONE

From Accident to Art
Fill in the blanks with the correct forms of the choices given. Listen to check
your answers.

Dylan collides1 with his classmate Ashley on his way to their art classroom.
Ashley: Ouch, Dylan! Why are you in such a hurry?
canvas for my art assignment2, so I
Dylan: Sorry. I spilled coffee on the ① _________
need a new one right way. Otherwise, I won’t be able to finish my selfportrait.
Ashley: Why don’t you just paint with coffee instead?
Dylan: What do you mean?
Ashley: Many modern artists are experimenting with coffee as a medium for their
work, like Hong Yi. She made her mark with a painting of Jay Chou she
did using nothing but coffee and a mug.
Dylan: Isn’t she pretty avant-garde3 though? I know that she used a basketball
substitute 4 for a paintbrush in one of her works.
as a ② ___________
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CONVERSATION ZONE

conventional 5 artists have been
Ashley: That’s true, but even ③ _____________
lured into6 creating art with coffee. Sunshine Plata is a good
example. As a recreational7 painter, she began using it merely8
9
swap
because it was cheap. But this ④ ___________
in supplies is
what enabled her to paint professionally full-time.
Dylan: I guess the quality of her work didn’t go downhill as a result
then.
Ashley: Just the opposite. Now you have to fork out10 at least $400 to
own one of her exquisite11 pieces. And she also conducts
12
aspiring
workshops for students and ⑤ ___________
artists.
Dylan: It’s so bizarre13 that she is able to make a living by painting
beverage 14.
with a ⑥ ___________
Ashley: I think it’s fantastic. After all, modern art is all about pushing
the boundaries. If you took my advice, I’m sure your project
would be a real feather in your cap.
Dylan: Well, it would certainly make an interesting addition to my
portfolio 15. I’m going to try it!
⑦ ___________
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CONVERSATION ZONE—REVIEW
A. Word Groups
Select the choice that has a different meaning from the word in bold.

(d) 1. avant-garde
a. radical
b. progressive
c. eccentric
d. orthodox

(b) 3. exquisite
a. splendid
b. precise
c. superb
d. divine

(a) 2. substitute
a. subordinate
b. replacement
c. alternative
d. exchange

(a) 4. collide
a. collapse
b. smash
c. slam
d. crash

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(d) 5. aspiring
a. would-be
b. hopeful
c. striving
d. accomplished


CONVERSATION ZONE—REVIEW
B. Complete the Sentences
Fill in the blanks with words or phrases from the conversation. Use the
hints to help you.
1. Students that hope to attend an elite school like Harvard must be prepared
fork out
to ___________
a large sum of money for their tuition. (give money)
recreational bowling on Wednesday
2. The facilities aren’t open for ______________
evenings. (just for enjoyment)
3. Everyone interested in applying for the design job had to submit a
portfolio
______________
of professional work they had been involved in. (a set of
pieces of work an artist has done)
lured into
4. Wanda was ____________
trying the restaurant’s special by the delicious
description of it given to her by the waiter. (tempted to do something)
beverage

5. Although the commercial claimed that it was a refreshing ______________,
it didn’t satisfy Cliff’s thirst. (something one can drink)
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CONVERSATION ZONE—REVIEW
C. Multiple Choice
Circle the answers.

(d) 1. Why is Dylan in need of a new canvas for his assignment?
a. He isn’t pleased with his first attempt at a portrait.
b. He left his other one behind at a coffee shop.
c. He wants to swap the one he has with a larger one.
d. He wants to get one that isn’t stained.
(b) 2. Why does Dylan think that Hong Yi is an unusual artist?
a. She once painted a portrait of Jay Chou.
b. She has used bizarre things to paint with.
c. She was the first artist to use coffee as paint.
d. She only paints pictures of famous people.

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CONVERSATION ZONE—REVIEW

(a) 3. Besides painting, what does Sunshine Plata do that is art
related?
a. She holds events where she teaches art techniques to
others.
b. She spends time experimenting with new materials to paint

with.
c. She sells her paintings at famous art galleries around the
world.
d. She teaches young children how to mix their own paint.
(b) 4. What does Dylan decide to do about his art assignment?
a. He decides to start over with a new canvas.
b. He decides to take Ashley’s advice.
c. He decides to use more conventional supplies.
d. He decides to give up on the project because it’s too hard.

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EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT
A. Talking About Feelings
To Be Successful

• make (one’s) mark
• hit a home run
• make it big
• take off

Something That Is a Success

• a feather in (one’s) cap
• one for the books

Fill in the appropriate expressions.

one for the books

1. The famous director’s new film is ____________________.
It broke
all of the international box-office records.
2. I never expected Tyler to do well at his new job, but his career has
taken off
really ____________________
since he started there.

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EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT
B. Moving Forward or Back
Progress

Deteriorate

• push the boundaries/envelope
• go above and beyond
• do/go one better

• go downhill
• hit the skids
• go to the dogs

Complete the dialogues with the expressions above. Do not use any expression
twice.

hit the skids
1. A: Ever since the CEO retired, that company has ______________.

B: If they don’t bring in somebody new who can
go above and beyond they’ll go out of business.
_____________________,
gone to the dogs
2. A: Without Mr. Fields, this school would have _________________.
He deserves a raise.
B: Yeah, he’s the best. In fact, I think the school should
go one better
____________________
and make him the principal!
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EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT
C. Making Money
Earn from Working

• make/earn a living
• be (one’s) bread and butter
• bring home the bacon
• make ends meet

For Supplementary Income

• (do something) on the side
• moonlight (as something)

Rewrite the parts in bold to include the phrases above.

1. At the moment, cleaning office buildings is my main source of

income, but I hope to write professionally someday.
→ At the moment, cleaning office buildings is my bread and butter,
but I hope to write professionally someday.
2. I’ve been tutoring high school students in math in addition to my
other job so that I can raise enough money to buy my mother a
birthday present.
→ I’ve been tutoring high school students in math on the side so that
I can raise enough money to buy my mother a birthday present.
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EXPRESSION PRACTICE
A. Listen for Details
Listen and write the speaker’s name (Jennifer or Roger) next to the
matching statement.

Roger
1. __________
It would be quite an accomplishment to be chosen.
Jennifer The piece you sang at the performance was sensational.
2. __________
Jennifer It’s unlikely that I’ll ever become a celebrity.
3. __________
Roger
4. __________
We could both become professional singers.
Jennifer The show is sure to be remarkable if we are in it.
5. __________
Roger
6. __________

I won’t become successful unless I do things
immediately.

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EXPRESSION PRACTICE
Audio Transcripts:

Jennifer: So, Roger, are you going to audition for our school’s musical
this year?
Roger:
I haven’t decided yet. If I got a part, it would
certainly be a feather in my cap, but if I didn’t, I would be
humiliated.
Jennifer: Oh, you shouldn’t be nervous! I heard you sing in last year’s
choir recital, and you really hit a home run with your solo.
Roger:
Thanks for the compliment, Jennifer.
Jennifer: I really mean it! I have a love for singing, too, but I know I’ll
never make it big. You, on the other hand, actually have a
chance of becoming famous someday.
Roger:
No way! If my singing career could take off, so
could yours!
Jennifer: That’s why we have to try out for the show. It’s the perfect way
to introduce our talents to the world. And with us in it, I’m sure
it’ll be one for the books.
Roger:
I think you’re right! If I’m going to make my

mark in the world of music, I need to start now. I will go with
you and audition for a part after all.
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