23、Both art and architecture have a history of ages．All forms and ways of expressing beauty have been explored．In the case of architecture, many building that were designed in the past have proven to be beautiful and served their purposes．We could save millions of dollars by copying designs of architecture of buildings from the past．Besides, some people find modern architecture ugly．So why should we pay a lot for designing new buildings？The same goes for modern art, both paintings and statues．Many art objects created in the past are now covered by dust in storerooms．They are enough to decorate all public places．There is no need to create more art, and as with modern architecture, many people find new art difficult to understand or appreciate．

Considering these facts, why are architects and artists asked to create new art works? And why are we interested in creating new ones, instead of using or copying what was made in the past? The answers to these questions have to do with the function of art in society today．

First of all, the function of art is to decorate．By placing art works in parks and hanging paintings or drawings on the walls, we make our living environment more beautiful．When our eyes move across an empty wall, they will for a few moments rest on a painting or drawing hung there．it makes us feel good．Sometimes, paintings are not beautiful at first glance．But watching and thinking about them for a while or repeated viewing will help us learn to appreciate them．

Another function of art is enriching real life, as art is part of everyday life．Art helps us learn to think creatively．In art, things are not always what they seem to be．Art objects in park are sometimes funny．Very often we can hardly tell what they are．We need such creative moments．It helps us to balance our minds．With art like that all around us, our life is more interesting．

Finally, art is often seen as a way to instruct the audience．Statues of heroes from the past remind us of our history．Paintings and other art objects can also help us to realize which goals we should set for ourselves and inspire us in our everyday work．

Because ideas about society change and very period of time has its own taste, there is always a need for new art．We can still appreciate art works made in the past for their beauty, but they are often too valuable to be placed in public places．Besides, they also often need special protection．

1．Which of the following is the best title for the passage?

       A．The function of art

       B．The beauty of art and architecture

       C．The design of art

       D．The history of art and architecture

2．The writer’s attitude toward modern art is very________．

       A．supportive       B．doubtful           C．critical            D．neutral

3．We can’t decorate public places with old art, because_________．

       A．some people find old architecture, paintings and statues ugly．

       B．public places are so precious that they need special protection

       C．we need new art, for ideas of beauty vary from period to period

       D．a great number of old art works are covered with dust in storerooms

4．Which of the following best shows the structure of the passage? （①stands for paragraph1, ②stands for paragraph2, etc