Monkey Master

Who or what is the main subject of “Monkey Master”?

• a chimpanzee whose paintings are featured in an exhibition

• an artist who collects the paintings done by chimpanzees

• a scientist who studies the paintings made by monkeys

• an orangutan whose paintings the writer does not care for

What is the main question that the author raises in “Monkey Master”?

• whether famous artists appreciate paintings by chimpanzees

• whether paintings by an animal can be considered art

• whether a scientist can train a chimpanzee or gorilla to paint well

• whether paintings by a chimpanzee are better than paintings by a gorilla

Animal scientist Desmond Morris helped Congo make his paintings. Which answer best describes the help Morris gave?

• Morris showed Congo examples of abstract art to use as models.

• Morris drew shapes that Congo filled in with colors

• Morris showed

  Congo how to hold a paintbrush and draw a straight line

• Morris gave Congo art supplies and a special high chair to help him paint.

Which of the following is a quality of Congo’s painting that the author of “Monkey Master” most clearly admires?

• the different feelings the paintings express

• the interesting, beautiful use of colors and shapes

• the way paint completely covers the paper, without blank spots

• the careful depiction of real objects, places, and people

Which of the following is background information the writer feels could have been better covered in the exhibition of ape paintings?

• to what extent Morris influenced Congo's paintings

• whether Picasso truly valued the paintings in the exhibit

• how much each painting is worth

• which animal painted which painting

If a person is a purist about food, which of the following is most likely to be true? Base your answer on the meaning of purist.

• The person prefers food cooked at a fancy restaurant.

• The person accepts only certain ways of cooking food.

• The person prefers food cooked in the family home.

• The person enjoys eating different types of food.

Which of the following is most clearly an aesthetic choice? Base your answer on the meaning of aesthetic.

• which color curtains to buy for a room

• whether to go to sleep earlier than usual

• whether to bring an umbrella on a trip

• which candidate to vote for in the election

The term abstract is used to refer to paintings and other art. Which of the following is the best defintion of abstract as it applies to art?

• using shapes and colors that do not represent things

• using shapes and colors that are hard to understand

• using shapes and colors to depict something real

• using shapes and colors to express sad emotions

Part A- Which best summarizes the writer’s reaction to Congo’s paintings in “Monkey Master”?

• He is fascinated by the primitive quality of art made by apes.

• He is impressed by the skill and good judgment Congo's paintings show.

• He is sure that Congo's paintings were made by a human being.

• He is impressed by the effect that good training has on the art of apes.

Part B- Which quotation from “Monkey Master” best supports the answer to Part A? (impressed by skill and judgement)

• After a short drawing phase, it was decided to move [Congo] on to painting.

• An audacious pink splodge at the center plays a delicate game of tag across the paper with a couple of different blues. That's it. And it really works.

• Fascinatingly, if you tried to take a picture away from Congo before he had finished with it, he would scream and throw fits.

• Congo may have selected the colors, but who came up with the original wheeze of using impactful colored paper?