Grammar

1. SPEAKING Discuss this question.

(Thảo luận về câu hỏi này)

Why is a perfect forgery worth less than an original work of art?

Answer:

Well, a real artwork is unique and has value because of the artist's skill and creativity, as well as its historical and cultural significance. A fake artwork is a copy made to deceive people into thinking it's the real thing, but it lacks the originality and authenticity of the real artwork. Also, a real artwork usually has a record of its history and ownership, which can increase its value, but a fake artwork usually doesn't have this. Lastly, selling a fake artwork as a real one is illegal because a real artwork is special and can't be duplicated.

Real or take?

News reader Artist Wolfgang Beltracchi has made millions of pounds from his paintings. However, many of the paintings are not signed with his own name, but with the names of other famous painters. He is the world’s most successful forger, and has fooled the art world for over thirty years. Our reporter Jade Quinn has been investigating. How was he finally caught, Jade?

JQ. He used the wrong kind of paint in a forgery of a Campendonk painting. The painting had been bought by a company who sent it to a forensic art scientist in London. He identified a type of paint which wasn't being used when Campendonk was alive.

NR. That was careless! What happened to Beltracchi?

JQ. He was prosecuted and sent to prison for six years.

NR. Fifty-eight of his paintings have been identified by police as forgeries and several more are being examined by experts. Are there any more?

JQ. Beltracchi himself claims that he has forged hundreds of paintings, but he won't say which ones, so they might never be discovered.

NR. What has he done with the money he earned from the forgeries?

JQ. He's spent a lot of it, but some of it will be returned to the people who bought his forgeries.

NR. Does he still paint in the style of famous artists?

JQ. Yes, but now he signs the paintings with his own name.

2. Read the article above. Was it right to send Beltracchi to prison? Why? / Why not?

(Đọc bài báo trên. Đưa Beltracchi vào tù có đúng không? Tại sao? / Tại sao không?)

Answer:

Yes, it was right to send Beltracchi to prison because he committed a crime by creating and selling forgeries as original paintings, which is illegal and fraudulent. He also made a lot of money from his forgeries, which is unjust enrichment. By sending him to prison, it serves as a deterrent to others who may attempt to commit similar crimes, and it also sends a message that the art world will not tolerate fraud and forgery.

3. Match the highlighted passive forms in the article with 1-9 below. Then find two examples of 9.

(Nối các dạng bị động được đánh dấu trong bài viết với 1-9 bên dưới. Sau đó tìm hai ví dụ về 9)

are not signed; was he finally caught; had been bought by a company; wasn't being used; have been identified; are being examined by; might never be discovered; will be returned

Answer:

1. present simple passive: "are not signed"

2. present continuous passive: "are being examined by"

3. past simple passive: "was he finally caught"

4. past continuous passive: "wasn't being used"

5. present perfect passive: "have been identified"

6. past perfect passive: "had been bought by a company"

7. will + passive: "will be returned"

8. modal verb + passive: "might never be discovered"

9. by + agent: "had been bought by a company" and "will be returned"

Two examples of 9:

• Beltracchi was sent to prison by the authorities.

• The paintings were identified as forgeries by the forensic art scientist.

LEARN THIS! The passive

a. We form the passive with the verb be and the past participle of the verb.

b. We use a passive infinitive after modal verbs.

c. We use the passive when we want to focus on the action itself, or when we do not know who or what performed the action.

4. Read the Learn this! box. Make the active sentences passive. Use by where necessary.

(Đọc Learn this. Biến câu chủ động thành câu bị động. Sử dụng bởi những nơi cần thiết)

1. William Shakespeare wrote Macbeth.

• Macbeth was written by William Shakespeare.

2. They are performing a ballet at the concert hall this evening.

3. Does Lady Gaga design the costumes?

4. How many Hobbit films have they made?

5. The artist ought to sign the painting.

6. Thousands of people will visit the gallery this year.

Answer:

1. William Shakespeare wrote Macbeth.

• Macbeth was written by William Shakespeare.

2. They are performing a ballet at the concert hall this evening.

• A ballet is being performed at the concert hall this evening.

3. Does Lady Gaga design the costumes?

• Are the costumes designed by Lady Gaga?

4. How many Hobbit films have they made?

• How many Hobbit films have been made?

5. The artist ought to sign the painting.

• The painting ought to be signed by the artist.

6. Thousands of people will visit the gallery this year.

• The gallery will be visited by thousands of people this year.

5. Complete the text with the verbs in brackets. Use active or passive verbs, as appropriate.

(Hoàn thành văn bản với các động từ trong ngoặc. Sử dụng động từ chủ động hoặc bị động, nếu thích hợp)

John Myatt is a British artist. He makes copies of famous works of art, but they (1) ______________ (not sell) as originals. They (2) ______________ (paint) with ordinary decorator’s paint, and the word ‘fake’ (3) ______________ (write) on the back. But it wasn’t always like that. In the 1990s, Myatt (4) ______________ (forge) about 200 paintings. In 1998, he (5) ______________ (catch) and (6) ______________ (send) to prison for a year. Since his release from jail, Myatt (7) ______________ (be) very successful, and his paintings (8) ______________ (buy) by wealthy people all over the world. He (9) ______________ (be) now a rich man!

Answer:

John Myatt is a British artist. He makes copies of famous works of art, but they (1) do not sell as originals. They (2) are painted with ordinary decorator's paint, and the word 'fake' (3) is written on the back. But it wasn't always like that. In the 1990s, Myatt (4) forged about 200 paintings. In 1998, he (5) was caught and (6) sent to prison for a year. Since his release from jail, Myatt (7) has been very successful, and his paintings (8) are bought by wealthy people all over the world. He (9) is now a rich man!

6. SPEAKING Work in pairs. Use the passive form of the verbs below to ask and answer five questions about famous works of art.

(Làm việc theo cặp. Sử dụng dạng bị động của các động từ dưới đây để hỏi và trả lời 5 câu hỏi về các tác phẩm nghệ thuật nổi tiếng)

compose direct paint perform sing write

Who was E.T. directed by?

ET. was directed by Steven Spielberg.

Answer:

1. When was the Mona Lisa painted?

• The Mona Lisa was painted in the early 16th century.

1. By whom was the Sistine Chapel ceiling painted?

• The Sistine Chapel ceiling was painted by Michelangelo.

1. Who was Beethoven's Ninth Symphony composed by?

• Beethoven's Ninth Symphony was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven.

1. When was the opera "The Barber of Seville" first performed?

• "The Barber of Seville" was first performed in 1816.

1. By whom was the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" written?

• The novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" was written by Harper Lee.