真题来源
2024年6月大学英语四级考试真题（节选）
 
真题原文
Passage 15: The Role of Art in Society
Art has always played a significant role in society, reflecting cultural values, expressing human emotions, and inspiring social change. From ancient cave paintings to modern digital installations, art provides a unique lens through which we can understand the world around us. It is a powerful medium for communication, capable of conveying complex ideas and emotions that words alone cannot express.
One of the key functions of art is its ability to reflect and shape cultural values. Throughout history, art has been used to depict important events, religious beliefs, and social customs. For example, Renaissance paintings often portrayed biblical scenes and classical mythology, reflecting the cultural and religious values of the time. Similarly, contemporary art often addresses issues such as social justice, environmental conservation, and human rights, reflecting the concerns of today's society.
Art also serves as a means of emotional expression. It allows individuals to explore and communicate their innermost feelings and experiences. For many artists, creating art is a way to process emotions, cope with trauma, and find personal meaning. This emotional depth makes art a powerful tool for empathy and understanding. When we engage with a piece of art, we are invited to step into another person's perspective, fostering a deeper connection with others and the world around us.
Moreover, art has the power to inspire social change. Throughout history, artists have used their work to challenge societal norms, advocate for justice, and raise awareness about important issues. For example, the works of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo often explored themes of identity, gender, and cultural heritage, inspiring many to reconsider their own identities and the broader social context. In the modern era, street art and digital media have become powerful platforms for social activism, allowing artists to reach a wider audience and spark conversations about pressing issues.
Despite its importance, the role of art in society is often undervalued. Many people view art as a luxury or an elite pursuit, rather than a fundamental aspect of human experience. This perception can lead to a lack of funding and support for artists and cultural institutions. However, the benefits of art extend far beyond its aesthetic value. It enriches our lives, broadens our perspectives, and fosters a sense of community and shared humanity.
In conclusion, art is a vital part of society that reflects our values, expresses our emotions, and inspires us to create a better world. By supporting artists and engaging with their work, we can deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us, and contribute to a more empathetic and just society.
 
翻译
第十五篇：艺术在社会中的作用
艺术一直是社会的重要组成部分，反映了文化价值观，表达了人类情感，并激发了社会变革。从古老的洞穴壁画到现代的数字装置，艺术为我们提供了一个独特的视角，通过它可以理解我们周围的世界。艺术是一种强大的交流媒介，能够传达文字无法表达的复杂思想和情感。
艺术的一个关键功能是它能够反映和塑造文化价值观。在历史上，艺术被用来描绘重要事件、宗教信仰和社会习俗。例如，文艺复兴时期的绘画常常描绘圣经场景和古典神话，反映了当时的文化和宗教价值观。同样，当代艺术常常涉及社会正义、环境保护和人权等议题，反映了当今社会的关切。
艺术也是一种情感表达的手段。它允许个人探索和传达他们内心深处的感受和经历。对许多艺术家来说，创作艺术是一种处理情感、应对创伤和寻找个人意义的方式。这种情感深度使艺术成为一种强大的共情和理解工具。当我们与一件艺术作品互动时，我们被邀请进入另一个人的视角，从而与他人和周围的世界建立更深刻的联系。
此外，艺术有力量激发社会变革。在历史上，艺术家们利用他们的作品挑战社会规范，倡导正义，并提高对重要问题的认识。例如，墨西哥画家弗里达·卡洛的作品常常探索身份、性别和文化遗产等主题，激励许多人重新审视自己的身份和更广泛的社会背景。在现代社会中，街头艺术和数字媒体已经成为社会活动主义的强大平台，使艺术家能够接触到更广泛的受众，并引发关于紧迫问题的对话。
尽管艺术很重要，但其在社会中的作用常常被低估。许多人将艺术视为一种奢侈品或精英追求，而不是人类体验的一个基本方面。这种观念可能导致对艺术家和文化机构的资金和支持不足。然而，艺术的好处远远超出了其审美价值。它丰富了我们的生活，拓宽了我们的视野，并培养了社区意识和共同的人性。
总之，艺术是社会的重要组成部分，它反映了我们的价值观，表达了我们的情感，并激励我们创造一个更美好的世界。通过支持艺术家并与他们的作品互动，我们可以加深对自己和周围世界的理解，并为一个更具共情心和正义感的社会做出贡献。
 
阅读理解题目
What is the main function of art discussed in the passage?
A. To provide aesthetic pleasure
B. To reflect and shape cultural values
C. To serve as a historical record
D. To promote commercial interests
How does art contribute to emotional expression according to the passage?
A. By providing a way to process emotions and cope with trauma
B. By offering a platform for social activism
C. By depicting important events and religious beliefs
D. By inspiring social change and raising awareness
What is an example of art inspiring social change mentioned in the passage?
A. Renaissance paintings depicting biblical scenes
B. Street art and digital media addressing social issues
C. Contemporary art focusing on environmental conservation
D. Ancient cave paintings reflecting cultural heritage
What is a challenge faced by the art community according to the passage?
A. The lack of public interest in art
B. The perception of art as a luxury or elite pursuit
C. The high cost of creating modern art
D. The difficulty in finding platforms for social activism
What can be inferred about the importance of art from the passage?
A. It is only important for aesthetic reasons
B. It is a fundamental aspect of human experience
C. It is less important than social activism
D. It is primarily a means of historical documentation
 
题目解析
正确答案：B
解析：文章指出，艺术的一个关键功能是反映和塑造文化价值观。因此，选项B“反映和塑造文化价值观”是正确的。选项A“提供审美愉悦”虽然正确，但不是文章讨论的主要功能；选项C“作为历史记录”和选项D“促进商业利益”未在文中提及。
 
正确答案：A
解析：文章提到，艺术允许个人探索和传达他们内心深处的感受和经历，对许多艺术家来说，创作艺术是一种处理情感和应对创伤的方式。因此，选项A“提供一种处理情感和应对创伤的方式”是正确的。选项B“为社会活动主义提供平台”、选项C“描绘重要事件和宗教信仰”和选项D“激发社会变革和提高意识”虽然与艺术相关，但不是文章提到的艺术对情感表达的贡献。
 
正确答案：B
解析：文章提到，街头艺术和数字媒体已经成为社会活动主义的强大平台，使艺术家能够接触到更广泛的受众，并引发关于紧迫问题的对话。因此，选项B“街头艺术和数字媒体解决社会问题”是正确的。选项A“文艺复兴时期的绘画描绘圣经场景”、选项C“当代艺术关注环境保护”和选项D“古老的洞穴壁画反映文化遗产”虽然与艺术相关，但不是文章提到的艺术激发社会变革的例子。
 
正确答案：B
解析：文章指出，许多人将艺术视为一种奢侈品或精英追求，而不是人类体验的一个基本方面。这种观念可能导致对艺术家和文化机构的资金和支持不足。因此，选项B“将艺术视为奢侈品或精英追求的观念”是正确的。选项A“公众对艺术缺乏兴趣”、选项C“创作现代艺术的高成本”和选项D“为社会活动主义寻找平台的困难”未在文中提及。
 
正确答案：B
解析：文章总结指出，艺术是社会的重要组成部分，它反映了我们的价值观，表达了我们的情感，并激励我们创造一个更美好的世界。因此，选项B“它是人类体验的一个基本方面”是正确的。选项A“仅对审美原因重要”过于片面；选项C“不如社会活动主义重要”与文章内容不符；选项D“主要是一种历史记录手段”未在文中提及。
 
翻译与词汇解析
art：艺术
例句：Art reflects cultural values.（艺术反映了文化价值观。）
cultural values：文化价值观
例句：Art can shape cultural values.（艺术可以塑造文化价值观。）
emotional expression：情感表达
例句：Art serves as a means of emotional expression.（艺术是一种情感表达的手段。）
social change：社会变革
例句：Art has the power to inspire social change.（艺术有力量激发社会变革。）
empathy：共情
例句：Art is a powerful tool for empathy.（艺术是一种强大的共情工具。）