1.30. The guitar

Read the text and find out why this instrument is so popular.

It is impossible to exaggerate the popularity of the guitar. One out of every four amateur musicians in the United States plays the guitar. Even a mediocre player can produce a variety of music with his unique instrument. Trying to find valid reasons for the guitar's ability to survive through the years isn't hard. One weird theory by a prominent musician states that guitarists find security hiding behind the bulky instrument. But most people are reluctant to accept this idea because there are more obvious reasons for playing a guitar. It can be carried anywhere, it is inexpensive to buy, and only a few lessons are required to learn to play it well.

The guitar is one of the oldest instruments known to man. It probably originated in the vicinity of China. There were guitars in ancient Egypt and Greece as well, hut the written history of the guitar starts in Spain in the 13th century. By 1500 the guitar was popular in Italy, France and Spain. A French document of that concludes that many people were playing the guitar. Stradivarius, the undeniable king of violin makers, could not resist creating a variety of guitars. Also, there was no lack of music written for the instrument. Haydn, Schubert, and others wrote guitar music. When the great Beethoven was asked to compose music for the guitar, he went into a rage and refused, but eventually even Beethoven could not ignore the challenge; legend tells us he finally called the guitar a miniature orchestra. Indeed the guitar does sound like a little orchestra. Perhaps that is why in rural areas around the world the guitar has been a source of music for millions to enjoy.

Exercise

Correct the wrong statements:

1. One out of every six amateur musicians in the United States plays the guitar.

2. The guitar is one of the youngest instruments known to man.

3. Only a few lessons are required to learn to play it well.

4. It probably originated in the vicinity of Japan

5. The written history of the guitar starts in Italy in the 11th century.

6. Stradivarius never made guitars.

7. The guitar doesn’t sound like a little orchestra.

1.31. Services for school. The national gallery, london

Read the text and find out what kind of sevices the National Gallery offers.

The Educational Department offers a number of services which include teacher's courses, free talks or worksheets for school groups, and at intervals a variety of other activities. These include holiday quizzes and lectures, concerts, demonstrations of painting techniques, exhibitions, study days, readings, competitions, videos etc. Talks on any aspect of the collection can be booked by teachers. All the talks take place in front of the paintings. They last for approximately an hour and in that time about 6 paintings will be discussed. Each talk is prepared according to the age and requirements of the particular group. Some teachers request about specific periods such as "The Italian Renaissance", while others prefer general topics such as "How to Look at Paintings" or a more lively theme such as "Every Picture Tells a Story."

Teachers doing project work often ask for a theme to fit in with the term's topic, for example "Water", "Food" or "The Human Figure." The proposed theme of the talk should be discussed with a School Officer when the booking is made.

During the visit teachers are responsible at all times for their pupils and must stay with their group.

The use of pencils and felt pens is permitted; however, wax crayons, pastels, fountain pens, paints or other potentially messy materials are not.

The use of cameras and tape recorders is not allowed.

Exercise

Complete the sentences (look back at the text):

1. The Educational Department offers... ... ....

2. Other activities include ... ... .....

3. All the talks take place ... ... ....

4. Each talk is prepared ... .... ....

5. During the visit teachers ... ... ...