WorksheetsMonkey Master
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 15mins
Who or what is the main subject of “Monkey Master”?
a scientist who studies the paintings made by monkeys
a chimpanzee whose paintings are featured in an exhibition
an orangutan whose paintings the writer does not care for
an artist who collects the paintings done by chimpanzees
What is the main question that the author raises in “Monkey Master”?
whether paintings by an animal can be considered art
whether famous artists appreciate paintings by chimpanzees
whether a scientist can train a chimpanzee or gorilla to paint well
whether paintings by a chimpanzee are better than paintings by a gorilla
According to “Monkey Master,” animal scientist Desmond Morris helped Congo make his paintings. Which answer best describes the help Morris gave?
Morris drew shapes that Congo filled in with colors.
Morris showed Congo examples of abstract art to use as models.
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 way the paint completely covers the paper, without blank spots
the careful depiction of real objects, places, and people
the interesting, beautiful use of colors and shapes
the different feelings the paintings express
In “Monkey Master,” which of the following is background information the writer feels could have been better covered in the exhibition of ape paintings?
how much each painting is worth
which animal painted which painting
to what extent Morris influenced Congo’s paintings
whether Picasso truly valued the paintings in the exhibit
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 accepts only certain ways of cooking food.
The person prefers food cooked at a fancy restaurant.
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.
whether to bring an umbrella on a trip
which color curtains to buy for a room
whether to go to sleep earlier than usual
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 definition of abstract as it applies to art?
using shapes and colors to depict something real
using shapes and colors that do not represent things
using shapes and colors to express sad emotions
using shapes and colors that are hard to understand
The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
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?
After a short drawing phase, it was decided to move [Congo] on to painting.
Fascinatingly, if you tried to take a picture away from Congo before he had finished with it, he would scream and throw fits.
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
Congo may have selected the colors, but who came up with the original wheeze of using impactful colored paper? How much guidance was Congo receiving?
The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.
Part A In “Monkey Master,” what general conclusion does the author reach?
By appreciating ape art, humans show their ability to find beauty in things.
By making paintings, Congo shows that he is the same as a person.
By helping apes make art, scientists show their appreciation of beauty.
By making paintings, Congo shows that works by human painters are fakes.
Part B Which quotation from “Monkey Master” best supports the answer to Part A?
For Congo to have finished this picture as he finished it—for a monkey to be this minimal—is deeply disconcerting.
. . . it would have been interesting to see the extent of Morris’s involvement in important aesthetic matters such as the choice of colored paper for Congo to work on.
Morris tells an excellent story of a journalist asking Picasso his opinion of Congo’s work. Picasso left the room and returned, his arms swinging like an ape’s and clutching his Congo painting, then jumped on the journalist and bit him.
Confronted by a pleasing assortment of abstract shapes, we humans have a wondrous ability to find meaning in them and to gain pleasure from them.
Read this excerpt from “Monkey Master.”
What is really spooky is the care Congo always brings to working within the paper. Only rarely does the brush stray over the edge. And he clearly understands the notion of balance, too. If a pink has a blue on one side of it, and needs another blue on the other side, he will add one.
In this passage, what point is the writer most clearly making?
Congo’s work is scary because it shows that he cares a great deal about art.
Congo’s work shows a sense of form and design that is eerily like a human’s.
Congo’s work is neat and tidy because the paper’s edges guide him as he paints.
Congo’s work shows balance because he has a real talent for choosing nice colors.
What is one meaning of the Greek suffix -ist?
more than
missing from
one who comes from
one who believes in
The word flautist uses the Greek suffix -ist. Which of the following is the most likely meaning of the word flautist? Base your answer on your knowledge of the suffix -ist.
one who comes from a snowy region
one who is skilled in playing the flute
having many flowers
missing a piece
