PASSAGE 5
Perhaps the most obvious way artistic creation reflects how people live is by mirroring theenvironment — the materials and technologies available to a culture. Stone, wood, tree bark, clay,and sand are generally available materials. In addition, depending on the locality, other resourcesmay be accessible: shells, horns, gold, copper, and silver. The different uses to which societies putthese materials are of interest to anthropologists who may ask, for example, why people chooseto use clay and not copper when both items are available. Although there are no conclusiveanswers yet, the way in which a society views its environment is sometimes apparent in its choiceand use of artistic materials. The use of certain metals, for example, may be reserved forceremonial objects of special importance. Or the belief in the supernatural powers of a stone ortree may cause a sculptor to be sensitive to that material.
What is particularly meaningful to anthropologist is the realization that although thematerials available to a society may to some extent limit or influence what it can do artistically,the materials by no means determine what is done. Why do the artists in Japanese society rakesand into patterns; and the artists in Roman society melt sand to form glass? Moreover, evenwhen the same material is used in the same way by members of different societies, the form orstyle of the work varies enormously from culture to culture. A society may simply choose torepresent objects or phenomena that are important to its population. An examination of the artof the Middle Ages tells us something about the medieval preoccupation with theologicaldoctrine. In addition to revealing the primary concerns of a society, the content of that society'sart may also reflect the culture's social stratification.
1. According to the passage , gold, copper, and silver are
(A) more difficult to handle than wood and
(B) of their stable social conditions
(C) of the unique stylistic features of their art
(D) available only in specific locations
2. The word conclusive in line 7 is closest in meaning to
(A) definitive
(B) controversial
(C) concurrent
(D) realistic
3. The word apparent in line 8 is closest in meaning to
(A) attractive
(B) logical
(C) evident
(D) distinct
4. Why does the author mention the supernatural powers of a stone or tree in line 10?