VOCABULARY VIBES
Spell the word: We use this adjective to describe colours that are strong and bright, full of life (e.g., Chagall's paintings).
Vibrant. (V-I-B-R-A-N-T)
Name the artist: This artist painted The Starry Night and Sunflowers. His style is very recognisable with vibrant colours and brushstrokes.
Vincent van Gogh.
Complete the sentence: Picasso _______ (experiment) with Cubism for 10 years before he painted Guernica.
had been experimenting (Past Perfect Continuous)
Name the landmark: This cathedral in London has a famous dome and survived WWII bombing. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
St. Paul's Cathedral.
Agree or Disagree? "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." (Pablo Picasso) Explain what you think this means.
I agree. It means art helps us forget our problems, relax, and feel clean or refreshed emotionally.
Define: Explain the meaning of the phrase "to pay homage" using your own words.
To pay homage means to show respect and admiration for someone or something, often publicly. For example, the Louvre organised an exhibition to pay homage to Chagall.
Artwork Trivia: What is the name of the famous painting by Picasso that depicts the bombing of a Spanish city during the civil war? Why is it so iconic?
Guernica. It is iconic because it is a powerful anti-war painting showing the suffering of innocent people.
Form a compound noun: What do you call a work of art that features a collection of objects that don't move, like fruit or flowers?
A still life.
Belarusian Architecture: What architectural style does the Government House in Minsk represent, and who was its architect?
Constructivism. The architect was Iosif Langbard.
Express Opinion: Do you think a museum should be a place "where one should lose one's head" (Renzo Piano)? Why or why not?
Yes, because a museum should be exciting and inspiring, making you forget everything else. / No, I think a museum should be calm and educational.
Synonyms: Name three synonyms for the word "magnificent" (used to describe architecture).
Majestic, grand, stunning, breathtaking, impressive. (Any three
Marc Chagall: Name at least three kinds of art Marc Chagall was involved in besides painting.
Stained-glass windows, ceramics, mosaics, tapestries, set and costume design.
Correct the mistake: By the time Michelangelo was 26, he was sculpting for 13 years.
By the time Michelangelo was 26, he had been sculpting for 13 years. (Past Perfect Continuous is needed to show duration before a past moment).
Westminster Abbey: What is the "Weston Tower", and why was it added to the Abbey?
It is a seven-storey glass tower added in 2018 to provide access to new exhibition spaces and provide views across the Abbey
Role Play: Your friend thinks graffiti is vandalism. You think it is a form of art.
I see your point, but street art can make a city more beautiful. It's a way for artists to express beliefs. And some graffiti, like Banksy's, is sold for thousands of pounds, so it's not just vandalism.
Word Formation: Make a compound adjective from the words "world" and "fame". Use it in a sentence about a building from the unit.
World-famous. Example: St. Paul's Cathedral is a world-famous masterpiece of English Baroque architecture
Describe the Art: Imagine you are at the Van Gogh Alive exhibition. Use at least 3 active vocabulary words (e.g., breathtaking, vibrant, masterpiece, fascinating) to describe your experience.
It was a breathtaking experience. The vibrant colours of his masterpieces flooded the walls and floors. It was fascinating to see the brushstrokes up close.
Transform the sentence: "I had been working on this project for three years," the artist said. Report this statement.
The artist said that he/she had been working on that project for three years.
Minsk's Churches: Name two churches in Minsk and their architectural styles (e.g., Baroque, Neo-Gothic).
1. Holy Spirit Cathedral — Baroque.
2. Red Church (St. Simon and St. Helen) — Neo-Gothic.
Discuss the quote: "Art is not what you see but what you make others see." (Edgar Degas) How does this relate to the Van Gogh Alive exhibition?
This means art is about the artist's vision and the viewer's feeling. The Van Gogh Alive exhibition uses music and moving images to help us see the world as Van Gogh saw it — full of movement and vibrant emotion.
Context Clues: Explain the difference between a "listed building" and a "tomb".
A listed building is a structure of historical or architectural value that is protected by the government. A tomb is a structure where someone is buried. Both can be part of architectural heritage.
Michelangelo's David: The text mentions it was moved indoors. Why did they decide to protect it, and what is the current situation in the square?
They decided to protect it because vibrations from visitors were causing tiny cracks. The statue in the square now is a full-sized copy.
Fill in the blanks (Past Perfect Continuous vs. Past Perfect): The sculpture was in bad condition because it _______ (stand) in the square for 300 years. The restorers _______ (find) many small cracks in the marble.
... because it had been standing ... (focus on duration). The restorers had found ... (focus on result).
Compare and Contrast: Give one similarity and one difference between St. Paul's Cathedral (London) and the Holy Spirit Cathedral (Minsk). Use vocabulary from the lesson (e.g., dominate, majestic, glory).
Similarity: Both are majestic cathedrals that dominate the city skyline. Difference: St. Paul's has a huge dome, while the Holy Spirit Cathedral has two towers.
Debate: Imagine you are a citizen of Florence in 1504. You have just seen Michelangelo's David. Argue why it should be placed in the town square (as a symbol) or protected inside a church.
I believe it should be in the square! It is a symbol of our strength and independence. It shows that our city, like David, can defeat any enemy. / We must protect this masterpiece from the weather and damage. It belongs inside a cathedral where its beauty can be preserved for future generations.