Passage Five

Claude-Oscar Monet ( 1840 -- 1926 ) was a French artist and a leading member of the Impressionist group of painters. Born in Paris, Monet spent his childhood in Le Havre. There he met a local artist, Eugene Boudin. Who encouraged him to become a landscape painter.

In 1859, Monet went to Paris to study at the Academie Suisse. Between 1860 and 1862, Monet served in the army in Algeria ( 阿爾及利亞 ). He returned to Paris where he met most of the major artists of the era. In 1870, Monet married Camille Doncieux. To escape the Franco-Prnssian war,they moved to London Back to France, they settled at Argenteuil, a boating centre on the Seine (塞納河 ) which drew many other Impressionist painters. Working from nature was a particular symbol of the Impressionist movement, and one that Monet valued, reflecting in his paintings the ever-changing impact of light and weather conditions.

In 1872,he visited Le Havre where he painted 'An Impression,Sunrise'. When exhibited in 1874, part of its title was used by a critic to label the whole movement 'Impressionism'.

Monet's wife died in 1879,and he set up home with Alice Hoschede, the wife of one of his most important sponsors. During the 1880s, Monet traveled through France painting a variety of landscapes. He gradually became better known and for the last 30 years of his life he was regarded as the greatest of the Impressionists.

From 1890 he began to paint a series (系列 ) of pictures of one subject, including 'Haystacks' 'Rouen Cathedral' and 'Waterlilies'. The latter were painted in the fine garden Monet created at his house at Giverny, where he lived from 1883 on. He painted them over and over again,most significantly in a series especially for a museum in Paris.

1. Monet was introduced to art

A. by an artist in his childhood

B. by his father in Le Havre

C. during his short stay in Algeria

D. during his visit to Paris

答案：A

2. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

A. Impressionism was born in London.

B. Monet was one of the sponsors of Impression

C. Argenteuil was the birthplace of many impressionists

D. Impressionist paintings are mainly based on nature

答案：D

3. What is said about the painting 'An Impression,

Sunrise'?

A. It established Monet's fame as an artist for the first time.

B. It invited a lot of strong criticism from the public.

C. It was painted by Monet and Eugene Boudin.

D. It was the origin of the name 'Impressionism'.

答案：D

4. What do we know about Monet's life since 18907

A. He painted only for a museum in Paris.

B. He devoted himself to traveling overseas.

C. He was influenced by Alice in his painting style.

D. He focused on paintings of a particular theme.

答案：D