Questions 41-50

　　The stylistic innovation in paining known as Impressionism began in the 1870’s. The Impressionists wanted to depict what they saw in nature, but they were inspired to portray fragmentary moments by the increasingly fast pace of modern life. They concentrated on

　　the play of light over objects, people, and nature, breaking up seemingly solid surfaces,

　　(5 ) stressing vivid contrast between colors in sunlight and shade, and depiction reflected light

　　in all of its possibilities. Unlike earlier artists, they did not want to observe the world from indoors. They abandoned the studio, painting in the open air and recording spontaneous Impressions of their subjects instead of making outside sketches and then moving indoors

　　to complete the work form memory.

　　(10) Some of the Impressionists’ painting methods were affected by technological

　　advances. For example, the shift from the studio to the open air was made possible in

　　part by the advent of cheap rail travel, which permitted easy and quick access to the

　　countryside or seashore, as well as by newly developed chemical dyes and oils that led

　　to collapsible paint tubes, which enabled artists to finish their paintings on the spot.

　　(15) Impressionism acquired its name not from supporters but from angry art lovers who

　　felt threatened by the new painting. The term “Impressionism” was born in 1874,when

　　a group of artists who had been working together organized an exhibition of their

　　paintings in order to draw public attention to their work. Reaction from the public and

　　press was immediate, and derisive. Among the 165 paintings exhibited was one called

　　(20)Impression: Sunrise, by Claude Monet(1840-1926),Viewed through hostile eyes,

　　Monet’s painting of a rising sun over a misty, watery scene seemed messy, slapdash,

　　and an affront to good taste. Borrowing Monet’s title, art critics extended the term “Impressionism” to the entire exhibit. In response, Monet and his 29 fellow artists in

　　the exhibit adopted the same name as a badge of their unity, despite individual differences.

　　(25) From then until 1886 Impressionism had all the zeal of a “church”, as the painter Renoir

　　put it. Monet was faithful to the Impressionist creed until his death, although many of the

　　others moved on to new styles.

　　41 What aspect of painting in the nineteenth century does the passage mainly discuss?

　　(A) The impact of some artists’ resistance to the fast pace of life

　　(B) The differences between two major styles of art

　　(C) A technological advance in the materials used by artists

　　(D) A group of artists with a new technique and approach to art

(实习编辑：武勐勐)