[問題]PP-test(1)Q177.187 (reading)

[doll]

The demand for portrait painting gave steady
employment to surprisingly many artists in colonial
North America. The nature of the work gave them
a crucial economic advantage over the engraver,
composer, or writer. Prints, musical scores, novels,
or plays could be imported cheaply; personal
portraits could not. Because portrait painting served
the purpose of commemoration in a society without
other visual means of preserving the memory of its
ancestors, and because ideals of interior design
considered massively framed portraits to be essential
home furnishings, painting in the eighteenth century
was a flourishing profession.
Only the preeminent painters, however, managed
to establish themselves for long in one place. Once
a painter completed all the available customers'
portraits, there was usually no further demand for
the work. Most painters belonged to the large band
of traveling artists, actors, and musicians who roamed
the colonies. Usually they announced their arrival
and period of stay in the local newspaper, telling
where specimens of their work could be seen -- a
coffeehouse, private residence, or the printer's
office. Universally, painters advertised two selling
points: cheap rates and a good likeness. Most
offered to accept no payment if the person who sat
for the portrait found the likeness unpleasing.
The relative costliness of the work and the demand
for it made painting in colonial America a competitive
and prestigious profession, a possible source of
economic independence and social
advancement. Some painters obviously could not
survive the considerable competition. Most became
neither rich nor destitute, but earned a comfortable
living between painting and engaging in related work.
Some painters also ran shops selling brushes, glass,
turpentine, varnish, canvas, carved frames. Other
painters offered lessons in drawing or music.
Success depended not only on the painter's skill but
also on the kind of painting offered. Landscape
painting, for instance, did not serve the purposes for
which most colonists bought paintings. For provincials
anxious to mark their social level, declare their taste,
display their recent material gains, and record their
success for posterity, painting meant portrait painting.

177. Which of the following statements
can be inferred about engravers,
composers, and writers in the
colonies?

Their work was of poor quality.
They could easily become rich.
Their work was in great demand
even though it was expensive.
They competed with people
abroad who provided similar
services.



187. All of the following are reasons
why portrait painters prospered
EXCEPT:

There was little competition
among portrait painters.
Colonists felt that portraits were
a symbol of high status in
society.
Portraits were considered
important decorations for
colonial homes.
Portraits were the only way to
preserve the likeness of a
loved one.

這兩題不知道該怎麼選
找不到答案的地方
請前輩教我作答方法&該在哪找答案
謝謝喔^^

[StanleyHuang]

177. Which of the following statements
can be inferred about engravers,
composers, and writers in the
colonies?

Their work was of poor quality.
They could easily become rich.
Their work was in great demand
even though it was expensive.
They competed with people
abroad who provided similar
services.

從文章的第一段第三句：Prints, musical scores, novels,or plays could be imported cheaply; personal portraits could not.
可以看出答案應該是 (D)

187. All of the following are reasons
why portrait painters prospered
EXCEPT:

There was little competition
among portrait painters.
Colonists felt that portraits were
a symbol of high status in
society.
Portraits were considered
important decorations for
colonial homes.
Portraits were the only way to
preserve the likeness of a
loved one.

(A) 錯的原因是第三段：Some painters obviously could not survive the considerable competition.
(B) 對的原因是第三段：For provincials anxious to mark their social level, declare their taste, display their recent material gains, and record their success for posterity, painting meant portrait painting.
(C)(D) 對的原因是第一段：Because portrait painting served the purpose of commemoration in a society without other visual means of preserving the memory of its ancestors, and because ideals of interior design considered massively framed portraits to be essential home furnishings, painting in the eighteenth entury
was a flourishing profession.

[doll]

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