TOPIC 3: DRAWING AND ART GALLERIES

1.Do you like painting or drawing?

Absolutely yes. I’m a big fan of drawing and performance art since I was a child.
I also participated in some drawing competitions back then. Until now I
still draw in my free time, although not as often as I used to do.

Thích-tham gia từ khi còn nhỏ-h vẫn làm trong tg rảnh rỗi

2. What kinds of things do you like to draw? Is it easy to learn how to draw?

I take a very keen interest in drawing portraits. I find it an effective way to capture
people’s images in your mind, especially your beloved ones. Besides, it is so out of
this world to draw a portrait when I’m under a lot of pressure. I must admit that
it’s absolutely not a piece of cake.

Chân dung-lợi ích ( tưởng tương ra ha ,trg khi áp lực ) –không dễ

What do you know about paintings? Have you learned drawing or painting?

When it comes to painting, I don’t know the first thing about it. However, as I
remember vividly, I used to learn to draw and paint when I was in elementary
school.

Ko biết-học ở th

Do you like visiting museums and art galleries? Do you often visit museums?

Definitely. It’s a great chance to spend quality time with family. On top of that,
paying a visit to museums and art galleries is also a way to deepen my
understanding of an influx of fields as well as broaden my horizon as those sites
display a variety of artwork and ancient samples.

Great chance—mở rộng tầm hiểu biết---variety

When was the last time you visited a museum?

If my memory serves me right, for the better part of 2 years,I haven’t been visiting
museum. I came to that museum with my friends after school to reward ourselves
after challenging exam at school.

2 năm--- đến vs bạn----reward

Which do you prefer to visit, museums or art galleries

I have a stronger preference for the former since I am hooked on history and
events in the past. They are not only a valuable educational tool but also arouse
people’s patriotism as well.

Trc----- lích sử--lòng yêu nc

How do you think art classes affect children’s development?

Yes, definitely. Learning arts, especially at a young age, can help stimulate
children’s cognitive development and encourage them to think outside
the box. Because they’re still little, their ideas are very fresh and lovely,
which is worth appreciating.

 Cognitive development (noun) the construction of thought

processes, including remembering, problem-solving, and decision-
making, etc..
 Think outside the box (idiom) think creatively

VOCABULARY:

• capture sb’s image (v): lưu giữ hình ảnh của ai đó

• don’t know the first thing about sth (idiom): không biết về cái gì

• broaden my horizon (v): mở rộng kiến thức

• artworks and ancient samples (v): tác phẩm nghệ thuật và mẫu vật cổ.

• if my memory serves me right (idiom): nếu trí nhớ của tôi chính xác
• historical events and figures (n): nhân vật và sự kiện lịch sử

• broaden sb’s mind and outlook (v): mở rộng tầm mắt

• a valuable educational tool (n): công cụ giáo dục giá trị

• arouse sb’s patriotism (v): khơi dậy lòng yêu nước

Part 1

Describe a piece of art you like

When it comes to a piece of art ,my go-to artwork is Mona Lisa which is a half-length
portrait painting. It was created by Leonardo da Vinci who is synonymous with people from
all walks of life.
To kick off , I first came across the painting when I was watching tv with my beloved
family. Later, I came to know about the prominence of this piece of art.When I grew up, I
paid a visit to museum to enjoy this masterpiece. It is said that the painting is the portrait
of a woman named Lisa who was the wife of a nobleman at that time.
I am a big fan of the painting for a few specific reasons. The most noticeable factor for
liking the painting is the mysterious smile of the character portrayed in. The historical value
of this painting is also notable. Though no exact date of origin for this painting is found, it
is assumed that it has been painted in 1506. The past history of this painting also attracts
me
To be honest , I did not have any special feeling when I first saw it. Actually, I was a little
girl then. But gradually I came to know about the history of the painting and a special
attraction grew in me. Now I am a diehard fan of this painting indeed. It faithfully reflects the
style of the master renaissance and creates an eerie emotion in the audience by the magnetic
and eerie smile of the Mona Lisa.

Part 3

1. Do you think that art is as important as other academic subjects when it comes
to educating children?
Yes absolutely. I think learning art brings tremendous benefits to children’s
development. First of all, creating art expands a child’s ability to interact with the
world around them, and provides a new set of skills for self-expression and
communication. Not only does art help to develop the right side of the brain, it
also cultivates important life skills such as problem-solving skill and
communication skill. Besides, art also develops a child’s creativity. Rather
than being told what to do, answers and directions come from the child. So the
arts are as essential as academics, and they should be treated that way in
the school curriculum.
2. Why do you think some people enjoy looking at paintings and sculptures while
others do not?
Well, I can’t pinpoint the reason why. I can only tell you that based on my
observations, also most visually intelligent people love art, while people who
cannot concentrate upon a single detail for more than 10 seconds cannot enjoy
art. I think the reason is that art requires deep concentration and deep thought.
Not everyone is capable of spending more than a few seconds looking at a piece of
art and can tell its beauty. Only people who spend every minute using their
minds and sensibilities know how to look at art and enjoy its message. Another
reason is that we have different interests and not everyone is good at arts, so
while there are people who have the ability to really, truly appreciate a work of
art, there are also those who are not interested in arts and turn their focus
to science, technology, that sort of thing.
 
3. Do you think that some people are naturally better artists than others?
Yes I do think so. There are some skills like singing or artistic skills that we
couldn’t improve much even if we try really hard and spend hours practicing, as
there are people who are born with excellent artistic skills than most of us. I’m not
sure why, but I suppose that they can produce creative ideas, and have
some traits that help them become excellent in arts, like they are very curious,
they like challenges, they are not afraid to experiment.  Some people therefore,
are going to be built with very efficient artistic skills, giving them an
advantage when producing art. If it is coupled with good eye-hand motor
coordination, some people will have a natural “talent” for art. 
                  cultivate important life skills: phát triển kỹ năng sống

–                  being told what to do: bị yêu cầu phải làm gì

–                  academics: môn học chính
–                  should be treated that way: nên được đối xử như vậy
–                  visually intelligent people: những người có trí tuệ thị giác (giỏi về ghi nhớ
hình ảnh)
–                  using their minds and sensibilities: sử dụng tâm trí và các giác quan
–                  enjoy its message: cảm nhận được thông điệp
–                  really, truly appreciate a work of art: thực sự biêt cách thưởng thức tác
phẩm nghệ thuật
–                  turn their focus to smth: đam mê về gì hơn
–                  artisticskills : khả năng nghệ thuật
–                   I’m not sure why, but I suppose that : cấu trúc khi : mình chưa rõ ntn nhưng
mình đoán là
–                  they are not afraid to experiment: không ngại thử cái mới
–                  give them an advantage: cho họ một lợi thế
–                  be coupled with : kết hợp với
–                  eye-hand motor coordination: sự phối hợp tay-mắt