可汗
Questions 1-5 are based on the following passage.
The Ambassadors: A Meditation on Mortality
The Ambassadors, a painting by 16th century Dutch artist Hans Holbein the Younger, is an impressive example of Northern Renaissance portraiture. The painting depicts two elegantly dressed men, ①although their fine robes and jewelry indicating their wealth and worldliness. Below the two ambassadors looms a strange figure. At first glance, it appears to be an odd, abstract shape, slashing across the lower third of the canvas like a specter. When seen from another angle, however, a surprising image appears: viewed from the right side, the strange shape is revealed to be a grinning skull. ②
The earliest known anamorphic work is attributed to Leonardo da Vinci. During the late 15th century, Da Vinci and other Renaissance artists were interested in exploring the rules of visual perspective; they used anamorphosis as a means to develop their understanding of perspective and to showcase their technical proficiency. Holbein, on the other hand, used anamorphosis to achieve more sophisticated artistic and intellectual goals. While the anamorphic paintings of earlier artists were little more than impressive tricks of perspective, The Ambassadors employs anamorphosis to make a more complex statement.
Upon viewing the painting from the front, ③the confident ambassadors are seen by the careful observer standing amongst symbols of prosperity, above the hazy and abstract anamorphic image. But as the viewer begins to examine Holbein‘s painting more closely, several surprising details fall into sharp relief: the string on the prominently displayed lute is ④ broken; the faces of the sundial appear not to match; and the globe is tipped upside-down, though several regions are labeled right-side up. As the observer moves to the right-hand side of the painting, the only clearly recognizable shape becomes the anamorphic skull.
⑤ Its Holbein‘s reminder that the wealth and worldly knowledge of the ambassadors will not protect them from their ultimate fate—one which no human can avoid.
1
A) NO CHANGE
B) their fine robes and jewelry indicating
C) while their fine robes and jewelry indicate
D) meaning their fine robes and jewelry indicate
2
Which choice provides the best transition between the first and second paragraphs?
A) This striking and morbid secret image is an j example of a painting technique called anamorphosis.
B) Unbeknownst to most viewers, the skull represents the ultimate fate and mortality of all men.
C) However, a century earlier, Leonardo da Vinci began experimenting with perspective in a similar manner.
D) Figures such as this one can be constructed using a mirror to transform flat, two-dimensional images into distorted, three-dimensional ones.
3
A) NO CHANGE
B) symbols of prosperity are seen by the careful observer amongst the confident ambassadors,
C) amongst the confident ambassadors, symbols of prosperity are seen by the careful observer,
D) the careful observer sees the confident ambassadors standing amongst symbols of prosperity,
4
A) NO CHANGE
B) broken; the faces of the sundial appear not to match; and the globe is tipped upside-down; though
C) broken; the faces of the sundial appear not to match, and the globe is tipped upside-down, though
D) broken, the faces of the sundial appear not to match; and the globe is tipped upside-down, though
5
A) NO CHANGE
B) It‘s
C) They‘re
D) Their
