2023_Art_Listening

Listening Practice: Art (2023 English Abitur)

Three listening tasks from the 2023 higher-level examination. Open each source to listen, then complete the exercise and check your answers.

Task 1 — An Influential Book

You will hear six statements about Margaret Atwood’s novel The Handmaid’s Tale. Match each statement to the most suitable description. One description is extra.

(Statement 1: 1:39-2:11; Statement 2: 2:55-3:08+3:21-3:34; Statement 3: 5:31-6:03; Statement 4: 13:35-14:06; Statement 5: 0:55-1:06)

A — Different responses
B — Society falling apart
C — History repeating
D — Growing resemblance to real life
E — Influence and adaptations
F — Entering public conversation
G — A reflection of the national subconscious

Show Task 1 answer key

1 D · 2 A · 3 F · 4 G · 5 C · 6 E

Task 2 — The Guerrilla Girls

Listen to the BBC report about the anonymous group of artists who challenged inequality in the art world.

(0:26-0:49; 2:03-2:16; 2:25-2:45; 2:57-4:27; 5:09-5:39; 7:23-7:51; 7:58-8:29)

Answer briefly. Items 2 and 7 require two aspects. One point per aspect.

Show Task 2 answer key

They opposed male dominance, sexism or racism in the art world, and the lack of women artists’ representation.
They wore gorilla masks; they put up posters with striking statistics, often at night.
They enjoyed being part of the New York street-art scene.
The protest method was inexpensive.
They chose strategic locations near galleries and supported provocative messages with statistics.
They gathered and counted their own data, including women’s representation in museums and magazines.
Anonymity protected their identities as artists and contributed to their success and mystique.
Institutions asked them to investigate collections, gather evidence of bias, or create projects and artworks.
Their work makes visitors think about who made the art and helps them learn about representation.
a — to inform.

Task 3 — Goals and Well-Being

Listen to the “Curiosity Daily” episode about short-term pleasures and well-being.

Show Task 3 answer key

1 a · 2 b · 3 b · 4 b · 5 a · 6 a · 7 c

Source and official marking guidance: IQB English examination task, 2023 — Art (PDF). Questions on this practice page are paraphrased; accepted answers follow the IQB marking guidance.