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 of a body of works. Her work is, above all, the expression of a life — a tragic and stormy life, one that challenged all traditions.

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 Musée 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(传奇), 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 finalised 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. World-famous but unusual.    B. Practical and popular.

C. Creative and realistic.    D. Authentic but ordinary.

2.What does the underlined word "pantheon" in the third paragraph refer to?

A. Character.    B. Community.    C. School.    D. Society.

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

A. Rivera broke up with Kahlo finally.    B. Rivera’s works are popular in Europe.

C. Rivera’s works are the focus of the exhibition.    D. Rivera had his works rooted in his motherland.

4.Why does the author write the passage?

A. To praise the celebrities.    B. To introduce two famous artists.

C. To make an announcement.    D. To encourage people to learn art.

Answer

1. C

2. C

3. D

4. B

【解析】

本文属于说明文，介绍Frida Kahlo和Diego Rivera这一对传奇夫妇的画图风格及历史地位。

1.推理判断题。根据第一段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 of a body of works. Her work is, above all, the expression of a life — a tragic and stormy life, one that challenged all traditions.可知，Frida Kahlo因为其作品的原创性和对生活的表达而挑战传统而出名，可知他的作品很有创造性和现实主义的特点，故选C。

2.词义猜测题。根据第三段Together they became figures of legend(传奇), and both have a place可知，这两位艺术家都很出名，在墨西哥艺术史上有自己的地位，以及Pantheon为安放众神的地方，故选C。

3.推理判断题。根据第三段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.可知，他去欧洲环游，开拓了他的视野和技能，但是没有脱离自己的根，从而奠定了在墨西哥民族主义学派创立者的地位，故选D。

4.主旨大意题。本文主要介绍Frida Kahlo和Diego Rivera这一对传奇夫妇的画图风格及历史地位，故选B。