Question

If Frida Kahlo（1907-1954） is today one of the best-known and most popular figures of 20th-century, Mexican art, it is undoubtedly because of her personality and the originality（独创性）of a body of works. Her work is, above all, the expression of a real life－a tragic and stormy life, one that challenged all conventions. The mere mention of her name excites enthusiasm and admiration, but her work is rarely exhibited, and has not been shown in France for fifteen years. The selection to go on show at the Musee de L’Orangerie includes major works by the artist, with masterpieces from the Museo Dolores Olmedo.

The life and work of Frida Kahlo cannot be separated from those of her companion Diego Rivera（1886-1957）. Together they became figures of legend, and both have a place in the pantheon of 20th-century Mexican artists. Famous for his large wall paintings, Rivera’s easel paintings, drawings and prints, which form a large part of his artistic production, are less well-known to the public in Europe. The exhibition aims to trace his artistic career from the early Cubist images, revealing his links with the Paris artists whose works are a key element in the Orangerie collections, to the paintings that established him as the founder of the 20th-century school of Mexican art. His travels throughout Europe influenced his vision and his skills without ever distancing him from his roots, thus confirming his place in history as the founder of the nationalist school.

The exhibition devoted to the legendary couple Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo presents their works together, as if to confirm the impossibility of their divorce that was in fact finalized（定下来）but reconsidered after just one year apart. It also gives us a better view of their respective artistic worlds, so different and yet so complementary（互补的）, through the deep-rooted attachment they shared to their country.

1.Which of the following best describes Frida Kahlo’s work?

A. Authentic but ordinary.    B. Fashionable but unusual.

C. Practical and popular.    D. Creative and realistic.

2.What does the underlined word “pantheon” in the second paragraph refer to?

A. Character.    B. Community.

C. School.    D. Society.

3.What can we infer about Rivera from the passage?

A. Rivera’s marriage to Kahlo was totally ended.

B. Rivera’s works arc hugely popular in Europe.

C. Rivera’s works are the focus of the exhibition.

D. Rivera’s works arc rooted in his motherland.

4.What is the purpose of the passage?

A. To present the attraction of art.

B. To introduce two famous artists.

C. To persuade people to learn art.

D. To analyze the styles of artists.

Answer

1.D

2.C

3.D

4.B

【解析】本文为说明文,介绍了墨西哥一对夫妻艺术家的传奇人生和旷世作品。

1.考查细节理解。根据第一段中的"personality and the originality"可知,Frida Kahlo的作品很有创造性;再根据第一段中的"the expression of a life — a tragic and stormy life, one that challenged all conventions"可知,其作品是生活的真实写照。故D项正确。

2.考查词义猜测。根据第三段中的"both have a place in the pantheon of 20th-century Mexican artists"以及"thus confirming his place in history as the founder of the nationalist school"可知,pantheon的意思接近school,表示"流派"。故C项正确。

3.考查推理判断。根据第三段中的"His travels throughout Europe influenced his vision and his skills without ever distancing him from his roots"可知,Rivera的欧洲之旅影响了他的视野和技艺,但并未让他疏远自己的根。再根据最后一段中的"It also gives us a better view of their respective artistic worlds, so different and yet so complementary(互补的), through the deep-rooted attachment they shared to their country"可知,Rivera将自己对祖国的根深蒂固的依恋反映在作品里。故D项正确。

4.考查写作目的。根据最后一段中的"The exhibition devoted to the legendary couple Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo presents their works together"以及"It also gives us a better view of their respective artistic worlds"可知这次画展的目的,同时也暗示作者写这篇文章的用意就是介绍两位艺术家的作品及传奇人生。故B项正确。