from Selfie: The Changing Face of Self-Portraits by Susie Brooks

Which statement about selfies and self-portraits does the article best support?

• Both can conceal information about the subject.

• Both showcase cultural traditions of the time.

• Both show people responding to joyful events.

• Both display the social class of the subject.

Answer explanation

The article emphasizes how both selfies and self-portraits reflect the cultural traditions of their respective times, showcasing societal norms and values, making this statement the best supported by the text.

Both display the social class of the subject.

• 
  Rembrandt van Rijn

• Albrecht Durer

• Vincent Van Gogh

• Elizabeth Vigee Le Brun

Answer explanation

Rembrandt van Rijn's works often depict the social class of his subjects through detailed clothing and settings, reflecting their status. This is a hallmark of his portraiture, unlike the other artists listed.

The following are true about Vincent van Gogh, EXCEPT?

• He cut off his left ear.

• He gave his left ear to his mom.

• He used big and thick brushstrokes.

• He was admitted to an asylum.

Answer explanation

Vincent van Gogh did cut off his left ear and was admitted to an asylum, but he did not give his left ear to his mom; this statement is false. He famously gave it to a woman, likely as a gesture of affection.

The headings are most likely included in the selection to —

•               make the text more exciting to read

• emphasize how common selfies are today

• make it clear how the information in the text is organized

• demonstrate how much the author knows about famous artists

Answer explanation

The headings help organize the text, making it easier for readers to follow the structure and locate information. This clarity is essential for understanding the content, which is why this choice is the most appropriate.

What makes Joseph Ducreux unique from the other artists?

• 
  He liked to capture the personalities of everyone he painted. He didn't like traditional portraiture.

• He sold his painting skill well.

• 
  He was good at capturing character.

• He was known for his woodcut prints.

Answer explanation

Joseph Ducreux is unique because he focused on capturing the personalities of his subjects, rejecting traditional portraiture. This approach set him apart from other artists who adhered to conventional styles.

Read this sentence from paragraph 4.

Rembrandt drew, painted and etched his own reflection so many times we can see almost every stage of his life!

In which sentence does reflection have the same denotation as the sentence above?

• She sat in reflection of the events of the day.

• The clouds cause the reflection of some energy from the sun into space.

• She looked at her reflection before heading into a meeting.

• The song is a reflection of his feelings for you.

  
  

   

Answer explanation

In the correct choice, 'She looked at her reflection before heading into a meeting,' reflection refers to an image of oneself, similar to how Rembrandt depicted his own image in the original sentence.

Which word best describes both Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait with Saskia and Joseph Ducreux’s Self-Portrait, Yawning?

• Lonely

• Satisfied

• Dreary

• Lighthearted

Answer explanation

Both Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait with Saskia and Joseph Ducreux’s Self-Portrait, Yawning convey a sense of playfulness and humor, making 'Lighthearted' the best descriptor. The expressions in both artworks reflect a joyful, relaxed demeanor.

Which two ideas are expressed in both the artwork and the text of the selection?

• Some artists included pets in their portraits.

•               Self-portraits were sometimes painted after traumatic events.

• Some artists developed different styles of painting over the years.

• Selfies allow people to share what they are doing with friends.

Answer explanation

Both the artwork and text highlight that self-portraits can reflect personal experiences, such as trauma, and that artists evolve their styles over time, showcasing their artistic growth.

How does the author support the idea that self-portraits allow us to see into the minds
of artists?

• In the selection, the author includes Dürer’s self-portrait because it reveals what the man thought of himself.

• Rembrandt’s final self-portrait shows that he no longer worried about appearing stylish or putting on a show.

• Joseph Ducreux’s portrait shows a man who laughed at life and vanity.

• None of the above

Read this sentence from paragraph 24.

When you post a selfie, you’re displaying a view of yourself that you want other
people to see.

How is this sentence also true for the artists described throughout the selection?

• The artists often painted friendly self-portraits in fine clothing.

• The artists painted hundreds of self-portraits throughout their lives.

• The artists painted over their first self-portraits to create new versions.

• The artists sometimes included their flaws in their self-portraits.