The Reading / Listening - Level 6

One of Britain's more thought-provoking artists has said taking children to art galleries is "a total waste of time". Jake Chapman made his controversial comments in an interview with the Independent newspaper. He also made other comments that might anger parents, child development experts, and children. He accused parents of being "arrogant" for thinking children could understand modern art. He said to show a child a painting by the American artist Jackson Pollock was an "insult" to the artist. Pollock pioneered the style of art known as abstract expressionism. Chapman explained that it's like telling the artist his work is "as moronic as a child". He added: "Children are not human yet."

Chapman's comments have created a stir in the art world. Award-winning artist Anthony Gormley said: "I don't think art is to be understood. It's to be experienced….It is to be felt. Feeling comes before understanding." A spokesman from London's National Gallery said: "Children benefit a great deal from visiting art galleries and museums. It widens their horizons." BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz suggested Chapman's comments were designed to manipulate the media to get more attention. He said: "The formula is simple: When you have an exhibition to promote, say something mildly inflammatory to the press, and watch the column inches…and ticket sales soar."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-28639242
  • http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/aug/04/jake-chapman-snob-children-galleries-gifts
  • http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/a-gallery-visit-leave-the-children-at-home-says-top-artist-9644678.html


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. ART GALLERIES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about art galleries. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

 

thought-provoking / art galleries / waste of time / controversial / insult / abstract / created a stir / feeling / understanding /  museums / attention / media / exhibition

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. CHILDREN: How do they benefit from these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Your experience as a kid

How beneficial?

Art galleries

 

 

Museums

 

 

Hiking

 

 

Opera

 

 

Gaming

 

 

Camping

 

 

4. HORIZONS: Students A strongly believe art widens children's horizons; Students B strongly believe it doesn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. ART: Rank these with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • manga

  • installation art

  • abstract art

  • calligraphy

  • graffiti

  • religious art

  • ancient art

  • impressionism

6. WASTE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "waste". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.

An American artist said art galleries wasted children's time.

T / F

b.

The artist said children were able to understand modern art.

T / F

c.

The artist said most art was insulting to children.

T / F

d.

The artist said children weren't yet human.

T / F

e.

Many people in the art world are talking about the artist's comments.

T / F

f.

Anthony Gormley said art is felt before it is understood.

T / F

g.

A BBC arts editor said the comments were made for publicity reasons.

T / F

h.

The editor said a formula makes the press say inflammatory things.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.

total

a.

annoy

2.

controversial

b.

control

3.

anger

c.

stupid

4.

pioneered

d.

fuss

5.

moronic

e.

debatable

6.

stir

f.

shoot up

7.

benefit

g.

entire

8.

widens

h.

profit

9.

manipulate

i.

developed

10.

soar

j.

broadens

3. PHRASE MATCH:  (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.

One of Britain's more thought-

a.

style of art

2.

controversial

b.

their horizons

3.

He accused parents of being

c.

as a child

4.

Pollock pioneered the

d.

stir in the art world

5.

as moronic

e.

inflammatory to the press

6.

Chapman's comments have created a

f.

provoking artists

7.

It widens

g.

the media

8.

designed to manipulate

h.

ticket sales soar

9.

say something mildly

i.

comments

10.

watch the column inches and

j.

"arrogant"

 

GAP FILL

One of Britain's more thought-provoking artists has said taking children to art galleries is "a (1) ____________ waste of time". Jake Chapman made his (2) ____________ comments in an interview with the Independent newspaper. He also made other comments that might anger parents, child development (3) ____________, and children. He accused parents of being "(4) ____________ " for thinking children could understand modern art. He said to show a child a painting by the American artist Jackson Pollock was an "(5) ____________ " to the artist. Pollock (6) ____________ the style of art known as (7) ____________ expressionism. Chapman explained that it's like telling the artist his work is "as (8) ____________ as a child". He added: "Children are not human yet."

 

 

insult
experts
abstract
pioneered
total
moronic
controversial
arrogant

Chapman's comments have created a (9) ____________ in the art world. Award-winning artist Anthony Gormley said: "I don't think art is to be understood. It's to be experienced….It is to be (10) ____________. Feeling comes before understanding." A spokesman from London's National Gallery said: "Children benefit a great (11) ____________ from visiting art galleries and museums. It widens their (12) ____________." BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz suggested Chapman's comments were designed to (13) ____________ the media to get more attention. He said: "The (14) ____________ is simple: When you have an exhibition to promote, say something (15) ____________ inflammatory to the press, and watch the column inches…and ticket sales (16) ____________."

 

formula
horizons
felt
mildly
stir
manipulate
soar
deal

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

One of Britain's more thought-______

 

a.  provoking artist
b.  provocative artists
c.  provoking artists
d.  provocative artist

2)

He also made other comments that ______

 

a.  might anger parents
b.  might auger parents
c.  might angry parents
d.  might angered parents

3)

He accused parents of ______

 

a.  being "arrogance"
b.  being "arrogantly"
c.  being "arrogant"
d.  being "arrow gaunt"

4)

Pollock pioneered the style of art known as ______

 

a.  abstract expressionism
b.  abstracts expressionism
c.  abstracted expressionism
d.  abstractive expressionism

5)

it's like telling the artist his work is "as ______"

 

a.  moronic has a child
b.  moronic was a child
c.  moronic as a child
d.  moronic is a child

6)

Chapman's comments have ______

 

a.  created the star
b.  creative a stir
c.  created a stir
d.  created a star

7)

A spokesman from London's National Gallery said: "Children ______

 

a.  benefits a great deal
b.  benefit a great deal
c.  benefit a grate deal
d.  benefit the great deal

8)

Chapman's comments were designed to ______

 

a.  manipulate the media
b.  manipulate the medium
c.  manipulate the me deer
d.  manipulate the me dear

9)

When you have an exhibition to promote, say something ______

 

a.  mild inflammatory
b.  mildly inflammation
c.  mildly inflammatory
d.  mild inflammation

10)

watch the column inches…and ______

 

a.  ticket sales sore
b.  ticket sales soar
c.  ticket sale soar
d.  ticket sales soars

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

One of Britain's more (1) ___________________ artists has said taking children to art galleries (2) ___________________ of time". Jake Chapman made his controversial comments in an interview with the Independent newspaper. He also made other comments (3) ___________________ parents, child development experts, and children. (4) ___________________ being "arrogant" for thinking children could understand modern art. He said to show a child a painting by the American artist Jackson Pollock was an "insult" to the artist. Pollock (5) ___________________ of art known as abstract expressionism. Chapman explained that it's like telling the artist his work is "(6) ___________________". He added: "Children are not human yet."

Chapman's comments (7) ___________________ in the art world. Award-winning artist Anthony Gormley said: "I don't think art is to be understood. (8) ___________________….It is to be felt. Feeling comes before understanding." A spokesman from London's National Gallery said: "Children (9) ___________________ from visiting art galleries and museums. It widens their horizons." BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz suggested Chapman's comments were (10) ___________________ the media to get more attention. He said: "(11) ___________________: When you have an exhibition to promote, say something mildly inflammatory to the press, and watch the column inches…(12) ___________________."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

Where is the controversial artist from?

2.

To whom did the artist make his comments?

3.

What did the artist accuse parents of being?

4.

What did Jackson Pollock do to abstract expressionism?

5.

What did the artist say about children?

6.

What did Anthony Gormley say happened first when looking at art?

7.

What did the National Gallery say children benefit from?

8.

What did the National Gallery say was broadened?

9.

What did a BBC editor say the comments manipulated?

10.

What happens to ticket sales after more media exposure?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

Where is the controversial artist from?

6.

What did Anthony Gormley say happened first when looking at art?

 

a) USA
b) Britain
c) Argentina
d) France

 

a) confusion
b) understanding
c) feeling
d) love

2.

To whom did the artist make his comments?

7.

What did the National Gallery say children benefit from?

 

a) an art conference
b) a parenting group
c) a website
d) a newspaper

 

a) studying the history of art
b) drawing
c) graffiti
d) visiting art galleries

3.

What did the artist accuse parents of being?

8.

What did the National Gallery say was broadened?

 

a) arrogant
b) creative
c) irresponsible
d) caring

 

a) children's horizons
b) artistic limits
c) life's experiences
d) profits

4.

What did Jackson Pollock do to abstract expressionism?

9.

What did a BBC editor say the comments manipulated?

 

a) he criticised it
b) he ended it
c) he pioneered it
d) he turned it on its head

 

a) the media
b) minds
c) children
d) opinions

5.

What did the artist say about children?

10.

What happens to ticket sales after more media exposure?

 

a) he said they had great talent
b) he said they weren't human
c) he said they were all artistic
d) he said they were cute

 

a) they plummet
b) they soar
c) they fluctuate
d) they level off

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Manga

You think manga is the best form of art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their art forms aren't so great. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): graffiti, installation art or religious art.

Role  B – Graffiti

You think graffiti is the best form of art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their art forms aren't so great. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): manga, installation art or religious art.

Role  C – Installation art

You think installation art is the best form of art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their art forms aren't so great. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why): graffiti, manga or religious art.

Role  D – Religious art

You think religious art is the best form of art. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their art forms aren't so great. Also, tell the others which is the least interesting of these (and why):  graffiti, installation art or manga.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'art' and 'gallery'.

art

 

gallery

 

 

  • Share your findings with your partners.
  • Make questions using the words you found.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

  • Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

  • total
  • interview
  • anger
  • being
  • style
  • yet
  • stir
  • before
  • great
  • designed
  • simple
  • ticket

ART GALLERY SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about art galleries in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

ART GALLERY DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'art'?

c)

How important is art?

d)

How important is art in your life?

e)

Is taking kids to art galleries a waste of time?

f)

Are parents arrogant to think their kids understand art?

g)

What is abstract art? Is it good?

h)

Are there styles of art children should not see?

i)

Why might Chapman think showing a child modern art is an "insult" to the artist?

j)

Why do you think Chapman said children are not human yet?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

From what age do children benefit from visits to art galleries?

c)

What do you think of Chapman's comments?

d)

Is art to be understood, experienced or felt?

e)

How do children and adults view art differently?

f)

How does art widen children's horizons?

g)

What do you like about visiting an art gallery?

h)

Would parents be right to be angry?

i)

What do you think of an artist making a controversial comment to get more publicity?

j)

What questions would you like to ask the artist Jake Chapman?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

One of Britain's more thought-(1) ____ artists has said taking children to art galleries is "a (2) ____ waste of time". Jake Chapman made his controversial comments in an interview with the Independent newspaper. He also made other comments that might (3) ____ parents, child development experts, and children. He accused parents of being "arrogant" for (4) ____ children could understand modern art. He said to show a child a painting by the American artist Jackson Pollock was an "(5) ____ " to the artist. Pollock pioneered the style of art known as abstract expressionism. Chapman explained that it's (6) ____ telling the artist his work is "as moronic as a child". He added: "Children are not human yet."

Chapman's comments have created a (7) ____ in the art world. Award-winning artist Anthony Gormley said: "I don't think art is to be understood. It's to be experienced….It is to be (8) ____. Feeling comes before understanding." A spokesman from London's National Gallery said: "Children benefit a great (9) ____ from visiting art galleries and museums. It (10) ____ their horizons." BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz suggested Chapman's comments were designed to manipulate the media to get more attention. He said: "The (11) ____ is simple: When you have an exhibition to promote, say something mildly inflammatory to the press, and watch the column inches…and ticket sales (12) ____."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

precarious

(b)

provocative

(c)

prevaricating

(d)

provoking

2.

(a)

undivided

(b)

whole

(c)

entire

(d)

total

3.

(a)

temper

(b)

anger

(c)

auger

(d)

template

4.

(a)

thought

(b)

thinks

(c)

thinking

(d)

thoughtful

5.

(a)

incense

(b)

inculcate

(c)

insult

(d)

insulate

6.

(a)

like

(b)

similar

(c)

same

(d)

identical

7.

(a)

stirrup

(b)

stir

(c)

strike

(d)

strict

8.

(a)

felt

(b)

feels

(c)

feeling

(d)

feelers

9.

(a)

seal

(b)

deal

(c)

heal

(d)

peal

10.

(a)

widths

(b)

widows

(c)

widens

(d)

widgets

11.

(a)

mixture

(b)

compound

(c)

formula

(d)

ritual

12.

(a)

seer

(b)

sear

(c)

slide

(d)

soar

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

more thought-voorpknig artists

2.

Chapman made his rvelosnictrao comments

3.

He accused parents of being gnrrotaa

4.

Pollock piedeeonr the style

5.

art known as ctbtaars expressionism

6.

his work is as rmnioco as a child

Paragraph 2

7.

Children tbnifee a great deal

8.

It widens their hioorsnz

9.

designed to utnimlpeaa the media

10.

The mofural is simple

11.

say something mildly lyafniamtomr

12.

watch the lmunoc inches

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

with the Independent newspaper. He also made other comments that might anger parents, child

(    )

development experts, and children. He accused parents of being "arrogant" for

(    )

Editor Will Gompertz suggested Chapman's comments were designed to manipulate the media to get more

(    )

inflammatory to the press, and watch the column inches…and ticket sales soar."

(    )

before understanding." A spokesman from London's National Gallery said: "Children benefit a great

(    )

attention. He said: "The formula is simple: When you have an exhibition to promote, say something mildly

(    )

the artist his work is "as moronic as a child". He added: "Children are not human yet."

(    )

waste of time". Jake Chapman made his controversial comments in an interview

(    )

to the artist.  Pollock pioneered the style of art known as abstract expressionism. Chapman explained that it's like telling

(    )

Chapman's comments have created a stir in the art world. Award-winning

(    )

thinking children could understand modern art. He said to show a child a painting by the American artist Jackson Pollock was an "insult"

(    )

deal from visiting art galleries and museums. It widens their horizons." BBC Arts

(    )

artist Anthony Gormley said: "I don't think art is to be understood. It's to be experienced….It is to be felt. Feeling comes

1  )

One of Britain's more thought-provoking artists has said taking children to art galleries is "a total

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

more    thought    One    -    of    provoking    Britain's    artists.   

2.

comments    anger    He    other    might    made   that   parents   also.   

3.

being    accused    of    arrogant    He    parents.   

4.

of    expressionism    art    known    The    as    style    abstract.   

5.

his    artist    the    Telling    child    a    as    moronic    as    is    work.   

6.

art    comments    a   the   Chapman's   created   in   world   have   stir.   

7.

I    to    don't    be    think    understood    art    is.   

8.

a    from    galleries    benefit    deal    art    Children    great    visiting.   

9.

get    to    media    the    Manipulate    attention    more.   

10.

inflammatory    mildly    something    Say    press    the    to.   

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

One of Britain's more thought-provoking / prevaricating artists has said taking children to art galleries is "a total / totally waste of time". Jake Chapman made his controversy / controversial comments in an interview with the Independent newspaper. He also made other commentary / comments that might anger / angered parents, child development experts, and children. He accused parents of being "arrogance" /  "arrogant" for thinking children could understand / understandable modern art. He said to show a child a painting by the American artist Jackson Pollock was an "insult" / "insist" to the artist. Pollock pioneered the style of art knowing / known as abstract expressionism. Chapman explained that it's like telling the artist his work is "as moronic / moron as a child". He added: "Children are not human yet."

Chapman's comments have created a star / stir in the art world. Award-winning artist Anthony Gormley said: "I don't think art is to be understood. It's to be experienced….It is to be feels / felt. Feeling comes before understanding / understood." A spokesman from London's National Gallery said: "Children benefit a great agreement / deal from visiting art galleries and museums. It widens / broads their horizons." BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz suggested / suggestion Chapman's comments were designed to capitulate / manipulate the media to get more attention / attentive. He said: "The formulaic / formula is simple: When you have an exhibition to promote, say something mildly inflammatory to the press, and watch the column inches…and ticket sales sore / soar."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

_n_ _f Br_t__n's m_r_ th__ght-pr_v_k_ng _rt_sts h_s s__d t_k_ng ch_ldr_n t_ _rt g_ll_r__s _s "_ t_t_l w_st_ _f t_m_". J_k_ Ch_pm_n m_d_ h_s c_ntr_v_rs__l c_mm_nts _n _n _nt_rv__w w_th th_ _nd_p_nd_nt n_wsp_p_r. H_ _ls_ m_d_ _th_r c_mm_nts th_t m_ght _ng_r p_r_nts, ch_ld d_v_l_pm_nt _xp_rts, _nd ch_ldr_n. H_ _cc_s_d p_r_nts _f b__ng "_rr_g_nt" f_r th_nk_ng ch_ldr_n c__ld _nd_rst_nd m_d_rn _rt. H_ s__d t_ sh_w _ ch_ld _ p__nt_ng by th_ _m_r_c_n _rt_st J_cks_n P_ll_ck w_s _n "_ns_lt" t_ th_ _rt_st. P_ll_ck p__n__r_d th_ styl_ _f _rt kn_wn _s _bstr_ct _xpr_ss__n_sm. Ch_pm_n _xpl__n_d th_t _t's l_k_ t_ll_ng th_ _rt_st h_s w_rk _s "_s m_r_n_c _s _ ch_ld". H_ _dd_d: "Ch_ldr_n _r_ n_t h_m_n y_t."

Ch_pm_n's c_mm_nts h_v_ cr__t_d _ st_r _n th_ _rt w_rld. _w_rd-w_nn_ng _rt_st _nth_ny G_rml_y s__d: "_ d_n't th_nk _rt _s t_ b_ _nd_rst__d. _t's t_ b_ _xp_r__nc_d…._t _s t_ b_ f_lt. F__l_ng c_m_s b_f_r_ _nd_rst_nd_ng." _ sp_k_sm_n fr_m L_nd_n's N_t__n_l G_ll_ry s__d: "Ch_ldr_n b_n_f_t _ gr__t d__l fr_m v_s_t_ng _rt g_ll_r__s _nd m_s__ms. _t w_d_ns th__r h_r_z_ns." BBC _rts _d_t_r W_ll G_mp_rtz s_gg_st_d Ch_pm_n's c_mm_nts w_r_ d_s_gn_d t_ m_n_p_l_t_ th_ m_d__ t_ g_t m_r_ _tt_nt__n. H_ s__d: "Th_ f_rm_l_ _s s_mpl_: Wh_n y__ h_v_ _n _xh_b_t__n t_ pr_m_t_, s_y s_m_th_ng m_ldly _nfl_mm_t_ry t_ th_ pr_ss, _nd w_tch th_ c_l_mn _nch_s…_nd t_ck_t s_l_s s__r."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

One of britain's more thought-provoking artists has said taking children to art galleries is "a total waste of time" Jake chapman made his controversial comments in an interview with the independent newspaper He also made other comments that might anger parents child development experts and children He accused parents of being "arrogant" for thinking children could understand modern art He said to show a child a painting by the american artist jackson pollock was an "insult" to the artist Pollock pioneered the style of art known as abstract expressionism Chapman explained that it's like telling the artist his work is "as moronic as a child" He added "children are not human yet"

Chapman's comments have created a stir in the art world Award-winning artist anthony gormley said "i don't think art is to be understood It's to be experienced…it is to be felt Feeling comes before understanding" a spokesman from london's national gallery said "children benefit a great deal from visiting art galleries and museums It widens their horizons" bbc arts editor will gompertz suggested chapman's comments were designed to manipulate the media to get more attention He said "the formula is simple when you have an exhibition to promote say something mildly inflammatory to the press and watch the column inches…and ticket sales soar"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

OneofBritain'smorethought-provokingartistshassaidtakingchildrentoart
galleriesis"atotalwasteoftime".JakeChapmanmadehiscontroversialcomme
ntsinaninterviewwiththeIndependentnewspaper.Healsomadeothercomme
ntsthatmightangerparents,childdevelopmentexperts,andchildren.Heaccus
edparentsofbeing"arrogant"forthinkingchildrencouldunderstandmodernart
.HesaidtoshowachildapaintingbytheAmericanartistJacksonPollockwasan"in
sult"totheartist.Pollockpioneeredthestyleofartknownasabstractexpressioni
sm.Chapmanexplainedthatit'sliketellingtheartisthisworkis"asmoronicasach
ild".Headded:"Childrenarenothumanyet."Chapman'scommentshavecreate
dastirintheartworld.Award-winningartistAnthonyGormleysaid:"Idon'tth
inkartistobeunderstood.It'stobeexperienced….Itistobefelt.Feelingcomesbef
oreunderstanding."AspokesmanfromLondon'sNationalGallerysaid:"Childre
nbenefitagreatdealfromvisitingartgalleriesandmuseums.Itwidenstheirhoriz
ons."BBCArtsEditorWillGompertzsuggestedChapman'scommentsweredesi
gnedtomanipulatethemediatogetmoreattention.Hesaid:"Theformulaissimp
le:Whenyouhaveanexhibitiontopromote,saysomethingmildlyinflammatory
tothepress,andwatchthecolumninches…andticketsalessoar."

FREE WRITING

Write about art galleries for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Children are too young to be able to understand and appreciate art. Discuss.

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HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about art galleries. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. CHILDREN: Make a poster about children and art. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. AGE LIMIT: Write a magazine article about there should be an age limit for children at art galleries. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to an child-development expert. Ask him/her three questions about children and art. Give him/her three of your opinions. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

  • News
  • Warm ups
  • Pre-reading / Post-reading
  • Using headlines
  • Working with words
  • While-reading / While-listening
  • Moving from text to speech
  • Post-reading / Post-listening
  • Discussions
  • Using opinions
  • Plans
  • Language
  • Using lists
  • Using quotes
  • Task-based activities
  • Role plays
  • Using the central characters in the article
  • Using themes from the news
  • Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

F

c

F

d

T

e

T

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

total

a.

entire

2.

controversial

b.

debatable

3.

anger

c.

annoy

4.

pioneered

d.

developed

5.

moronic

e.

stupid

6.

stir

f.

fuss

7.

benefit

g.

profit

8.

widens

h.

broadens

9.

manipulate

i.

control

10.

soar

j.

shoot up

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

Britain

2.

A newspaper

3.

Arrogant

4.

He pioneered it

5.

They are not human yet

6.

Feeling

7.

Visiting art galleries

8.

Horizons

9.

The media

10.

They soar

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

c

7.

d

8.

a

9.

a

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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