Tilda Publishing
Lesson 1. Starry Night. Vincent Van Gogh.
Before we read the text, do you know this painter? Which painting of his is your favorite? Why?
Please read the text about this famous painting (focus on words in bold):
The Starry Night
Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night in 1889 while living in a mental hospital in France. He was not well, but painting helped him feel calm. He created the masterpiece by looking out his window at night. However, he didn’t paint exactly what he saw. Instead, he used his imagination to make the sky swirl and glow.
It is believed the stars in the painting represent Vincent’s dream of finding peace in the sky after his struggles on Earth. It is said that the painting shows his deep love for nature and the universe.
Vincent used bold colors and thick brushstrokes to make the painting alive. The bright yellow moon and stars shine over a small, quiet village. The tall, dark cypress tree seems to reach for the sky. Historians say this tree might symbolize life and death.
Interestingly, Vincent didn’t like The Starry Night at first. He thought it was strange and not very good. He wrote letters to his brother Theo about it, saying he doubted his work. Sadly, Vincent only sold one painting in his life. Today, The Starry Night is one of the most famous paintings in the world. It reminds people of beauty, mystery, and hope.
Please read the text about this famous painting (focus on words in bold):
The Starry Night
Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night in 1889 while living in a mental hospital in France. He was not well, but painting helped him feel calm. He created the masterpiece by looking out his window at night. However, he didn’t paint exactly what he saw. Instead, he used his imagination to make the sky swirl and glow.
It is believed the stars in the painting represent Vincent’s dream of finding peace in the sky after his struggles on Earth. It is said that the painting shows his deep love for nature and the universe.
Vincent used bold colors and thick brushstrokes to make the painting alive. The bright yellow moon and stars shine over a small, quiet village. The tall, dark cypress tree seems to reach for the sky. Historians say this tree might symbolize life and death.
Interestingly, Vincent didn’t like The Starry Night at first. He thought it was strange and not very good. He wrote letters to his brother Theo about it, saying he doubted his work. Sadly, Vincent only sold one painting in his life. Today, The Starry Night is one of the most famous paintings in the world. It reminds people of beauty, mystery, and hope.
True or False
| Take the quiz |
The painting shows exactly what Vincent saw outside his window at night.
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| Check |
Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night while living in a mental hospital.
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Vincent was very happy with The Starry Night and thought it was one of his best works.
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The cypress tree in the painting might symbolize life and death.
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The Starry Night is one of the most famous paintings in the world today.
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| Check |
Great work! Well done!
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Vocabulary
Vocabulary for Starry Night
Masterpiece - a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship.
шедевр
bold - (of a person, action, or idea) showing a willingness to take risks; confident and courageous.
(of a colour, design, or shape) having a strong, vivid, or clear appearance.
(of a colour, design, or shape) having a strong, vivid, or clear appearance.
смелый, дерзкий, отчетливый, рельефный
brushstrokes - a mark made by a paintbrush drawn across a surface.
мазок кисти
symbolize - represent by means of symbols
символизировать
Tilda Publishing
We use Passive Voice to show interest in the person or object that experiences an action rather than the person or object that performs the action.
How do we form it?
be + -ed form (past participle)
It is said that ....
It is believed ....
be + -ed form (past participle)
It is said that ....
It is believed ....
Could you find a paragraph that has Passive Voice? Is it number 1, 2,3 or 4?
Hint:
If you can add BY PEOPLE at the end, it's most likely Passive Voice.
For example, It is believed by scientists.
Grammar: Passive voice
What do you remember?
| Take the quiz |
What does "masterpiece" mean?
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The Starry Night ___ (paint) by Vincent van Gogh.
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The word "bold" describes something that is:
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Thick brushstrokes ___ (use) by Van Gogh to make the painting come alive.
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"Brushstrokes" refer to:
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What does "symbolize" mean?
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Today, The Starry Night ___ (admire) by millions of people around the world.
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Great work! Well done!
| Restart |
Tilda Publishing
Please watch a video about Starry Night:
Vocabulary
Vocabulary for the video
Fluid - a substance that has no fixed shape and yields easily to external pressure; a gas or (especially) a liquid.
жидкость
to stand out - be easily noticeable.
be clearly better or more significant than someone or something.
be clearly better or more significant than someone or something.
выделяться
swirl - a twisting or spiraling movement or pattern.
завиток, завихрение, водоворот, вихрь
physicist - an expert in or student of physics. (the branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy. )
физик
turbulence - violent or unsteady movement of air or water, or of some other fluid.
турбулентность
to have a knack - a special skill, talent, or aptitude.
He had a knack for storytelling.
He had a knack for storytelling.
иметь умение, талант
Fill in the blanks (Use the video as reference) :
| Take the quiz |
One of Van Gogh's most famous...
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It's easy to admire this painting as a ....viewer.
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It's easy to admire this painting as a casual viewer, but if you research ....dynamics...
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One thing in particular .... out.
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The iconic .... in the sky?
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To a physicist, they look.... lot like the swirls
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They look like the swirls ....turbulence produces.
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A team of researches from .... set out to analyze this swirls.
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Mathematical .... of turbulence theory
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It ....out that Van Gogh...
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Van Gogh had a ....for depicting the forces of nature.
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Great work! Well done!
| Restart |
Tilda Publishing
Extra: For those who like conspiracy theories:
Tilda Publishing
Questions to discuss with your teacher:
- What is your favorite Van Gogh painting? Why?
- Which video did you like more? Why?
- Do you think Van Gogh was a genius or just crazy? Explain.
- Do you believe in conspiracy theories? If yes, which one is your favorite? If not, why?