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上期划线句答案
One medium sweet potato contains more than 100 percent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin A — primarily in the form of beta-carotene, which gives the vegetable its vibrant orange color.
一个中等大小的红薯的维生素A含量就已经超过了每日推荐量——主要以β-胡萝卜素的形式存在,它使得红薯呈现出鲜艳的橙色。
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本期内容
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双语阅读
Para.1
A banana that for years has stirred controversy in the art world sold for $6.2 million with fees at Sotheby’s contemporary art auction on Wednesday night. It became what is arguably the most expensive fruit in the world — though it will likely be tossed in a couple days.
Para.2
The banana is the star of a 2019 conceptual artwork, “Comedian,” by the noted prankster Maurizio Cattelan, which is intended to be duct-taped onto the wall. It comes with a certificate of authenticity and installation instructions for owners to replace the banana — if they wish — whenever it rots. Five minutes of rapid bidding that had started at $800,000 ended when the Chinese-born crypto entrepreneur Justin Sun placed the winning bid, besting six other rivals, which experts said was a sign that even a struggling market would spend big on spectacle.
Para.3
“Returns in the market have been flat or decreasing over the last decade,” said Michael Moses, who tracks the investment potential of artworks for clients. “It’s a fascinating asset because you can get so much joy from it that people are willing to accept lower returns. Joy is not something to be messed with.” Indeed, Sun said in a statement that the Cattelan work “represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community.” The entrepreneur, who watched the auction from Hong Kong, added that “in the coming days, I will personally eat the banana as part of this unique artistic experience, honoring its place in both art history and popular culture.”
Para.4
The work became a media sensation, appearing on the cover of The New York Post. Some critics were more generous than the tabloids. Writing in The New York Times, Jason Farago explained that the title “Comedian” is ironic — “for Mr. Cattelan, like all the best clowns, is a tragedian who makes our certainties as slippery as a banana peel.”
Para.5
Back then, the artist said he conceived of his work as a satirical jab at market speculation, asking the question, “On what basis does an object acquire value in the art system?” In a recent email interview, he added that, “The auction will be the apex of its career. I’m eager to see what the answers will be.”
本文节选自:The New York Times(纽约时报)
发布时间:2024.11.21
作者:Arts
原文标题:Who’s Laughing Now? Banana-as-Art Sells for $6.2 Million at Sotheby’s
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写作句总结
原句:The artist said he conceived of his work as a satirical jab at market speculation, asking the question, “On what basis does an object acquire value in the art system?”
结构:X said he conceived of A as B, asking the question, "Y?"
例句:The teacher said she conceived of the lesson as an opportunity for interactive learning, asking the question, "How can we make this subject more engaging?"
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阅读理解题
What does Justin Sun’s statement about the artwork “Comedian” primarily emphasize?
A) The uniqueness of the artwork in relation to other contemporary art pieces.
B) The cultural significance of the artwork in the context of art, memes, and cryptocurrency.
C) The aesthetic qualities of the artwork that make it a valuable investment.
D) The philosophical questions raised by the artwork about the nature of art and value.
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全文概括
A banana artwork sold for $6.2 million at a Sotheby's auction. This highly publicized event highlights the often-absurd nature of the art market, where value is assigned not just to the object itself but to its concept and cultural impact. Critics viewed the artwork as satire commenting on market speculation and the arbitrary nature of value in art.
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打卡作业
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