Задания 10-17
The picture
Arthur started painting when he was 10. He loved painting so much that he decided to become an artist. Arthur studied painting seriously and mastered his technical skills to reach a professional standard. At 25 he arranged his first exhibition. Art critics wrote nice reviews of the exhibition and most of his paintings were sold. Arthur was happy. He married Tina, the girl he had loved since his school days, and rented a room to build his workshop there. Soon, to complete his education, Arthur went to Italy. He lived and painted there for almost half a year. When his money was spent, Arthur returned home.
Time passed but Arthur’s other exhibitions were less successful than the first one. In fact Arthur painted much better than before his visit to Italy. But the art critics said that his paintings were too academic and there was nothing new in them. Arthur worked hard to improve his style. Sometimes he managed to sell some of his paintings but soon the money ran out and he felt very unhappy.
One morning Arthur came to his workshop earlier than usual. He tried to finish one of his pictures but he felt that he wasn’t able to work. Arthur got angry and threw down his brush. A bright orange spot appeared on the board which lay below to protect the floor. The board was covered with green, blue and yellow paint from previous work. It was a real mixture of bright colours. Arthur ran out of the workshop.
An hour later, Tina came to the workshop to clean it. She picked up the board and put it against the wall to clean the floor. At that moment, Mr Harrison, the owner of an art gallery, came in. Two days before Arthur had invited him to come and look at the pictures. Arthur went around the workshop looking at the pictures. There was a blank and bored expression on his face. He sighed, “Nothing interesting”. Suddenly the board against the wall attracted his attention. He went closer.
“Tina, my dear,” he said. “What an interesting picture! Is it Arthur’s new work? Why is he keeping it from us?”
Tina kept silent, she didn’t know what to answer. Mr Harrison continued admiring the picture with an orange spot. “I’m happy that he has changed his style. This really is something special. I’ll ring Arthur this evening. Tell him that I’m ready to buy this picture myself. And any other pictures in this style.” Then he left the workshop.
When Arthur came back, Tina told him about Mr Harrison’s visit. She was very nervous and Arthur couldn’t understand her at first. Tina repeated the story and Arthur started to laugh. Then he asked, “Why didn’t you explain the whole thing about the board to Mr Harrison?”
“I don’t know,” answered Tina. “I knew that I should. But at first I thought he was playing jokes. Then I was afraid to look silly. I just said I didn’t think you would sell it.”
“I see,” said Arthur. “But what shall we do now?”
10. Arthur’s first exhibition was a success.
1) True
2) False
3) Not stated
11. Tina, Arthur’s wife, was an artist too.
1) True
2) False
3) Not stated
12. When Arthur returned from Italy, his pictures started to sell better.
1) True
2) False
3) Not stated
13. One day, by accident Arthur put a bright orange spot on his best picture.
1) True
2) False
3) Not stated
14. When Mr Harrison came into the workshop, Arthur was out.
1) True
2) False
3) Not stated
15. Mr Harrison wanted to buy one of Arthur’s paintings.
1) True
2) False
3) Not stated
16. When Tina told Arthur about Mr Harrison’s offer, he got angry.
1) True
2) False
3) Not stated
17. Arthur and Tina decided to keep the painting with the orange spot for themselves.
1) True
2) False
3) Not stated
