Culture, art and personal style

a work of art/music/literature

a painting, sculpture, book, play, piece of music, etc. Example: Shakespeare’s plays are considered one of the greatest works of literature in the English language

the aesthetic qualities of something

the qualities related to beauty and the understanding of beauty. Example: One advantage of studying the arts is that students learn to appreciate the aesthetic qualities of paintings, literature, and music

the portrayal of something/somebody

the act of showing or describing something or somebody in a book, painting, play, or film. Example: In the past, the portrayal of women in art was often shaped by social attitudes

a private viewing

an occasion when a few people are invited to see an exhibition before it is open to the public. Example: Art dealers often arrange private viewings for collectors

to be a connoisseur of

to be an expert in judging beauty, quality, or skill in art, music, or another field. Example: It is not necessary to be a connoisseur of art to enjoy beautiful paintings

a priceless portrait

a painting of a person that is extremely valuable. Example: The collection includes priceless portraits of kings and queens

to commission a work of art

to officially ask someone to create a painting, sculpture, or piece of music for you. Example: Wealthy families often commissioned works of art from famous painters

an art movement

a group of artists who share similar ideas or styles. Example: Impressionism was an important art movement in the nineteenth century

performance art

a form of art in which the artist performs something rather than producing a physical object. Example: Some museums organise performance art to attract younger audiences

funding for the arts

money provided to support artists, writers, musicians, or cultural activities. Example: Government funding for the arts can help young artists develop their talent

a mixed funding model for the arts

a model in which the arts are supported by both government money and private or commercial funding. Example: A mixed funding model for the arts may be the most sustainable way to support cultural activities

the imposition of censorship

the act of preventing something from being available to the public because it is considered offensive or politically dangerous. Example: The imposition of censorship is sometimes defended as a way to protect young people

to stage a play

to organise and present a play for an audience. Example: Schools should encourage creativity by allowing students to stage a play

a talented playwright

a person who writes plays for the theatre and has strong natural ability. Example: The theatre encouraged talented playwrights by staging their work

to appeal to audiences

to attract or interest people who watch a play, film, or performance. Example: Plays about contemporary social issues are likely to appeal to audiences

a literature festival/a book festival

a regular event where writers and readers meet, often held annually in a city or town. Example: A city can attract tourists by holding an annual literature festival

literary and artistic heritage

the tradition of writing, painting, and other arts that forms an important part of a place’s culture. Example: Visitors to Britain can enjoy its rich literary and artistic heritage

to express oneself

to communicate an idea or emotion through speech, writing, painting, music, or another form of art. Example: Schools should encourage pupils to express themselves through music and creative writing

works of literary fiction

books or stories that describe imaginary people and events. Example: It takes enormous creativity to write works of literary fiction

street musicians

people who play music in the street, usually to earn money from passers-by. Example: Street musicians are an entertaining feature of cultural life in many cities

genres of music

particular types or styles of music. Example: Different genres of music are often preferred by different age groups

to take up a musical instrument

to start learning to play a musical instrument. Example: Schools should encourage children to take up a musical instrument

live music

music that is performed at the same time as people listen to it, rather than recorded. Example: Many people prefer live music because of its atmosphere

a concert venue

a place where people go to listen to live music at an organised event. Example: The city has several excellent concert venues

a resident orchestra

a large group of musicians who regularly perform at the same venue. Example: A resident orchestra often needs financial support from local authorities

an opera house

a theatre or building where operas are performed. Example: Running an opera house is expensive, so ticket prices are often high

folk songs

songs in the traditional style of a country or community. Example: Traditional folk songs are part of a nation’s cultural heritage

animation

moving images created from drawings, models, or a computer. Example: The film uses animation to tell a story that children can easily understand

imagination

the ability to form ideas or pictures in your mind. Example: Creative writing helps children develop their imagination

inspiration

someone or something that gives you ideas for doing something. Example: Traditional folk songs can be a source of inspiration for modern musicians

abominable

very bad or unpleasant. Example: The acting was good, but the sound quality was abominable

abysmal

extremely bad. Example: The film received abysmal reviews from critics

dismal

sad and without hope, or very bad. Example: The play gave a dismal picture of life in the city

fictional

relating to imaginary characters or events in fiction. Example: The novel is set in a fictional village

figurative

using words in a way that is different from their usual meaning. Example: The poem contains many figurative expressions

hilarious

extremely funny. Example: The comedy show was hilarious and the audience laughed throughout

inspirational

making people feel hopeful or encouraged. Example: The artist gave an inspirational speech about creativity

petrified

extremely frightened. Example: The audience was petrified during the most frightening scene of the film

spectacular

very exciting or impressive to look at. Example: The concert ended with a spectacular light show

spine-chilling

very frightening. Example: He told a spine-chilling ghost story

talented

having a natural ability to do something well. Example: The school has many talented young musicians

tedious

boring and continuing for too long. Example: Some students find long classical concerts tedious

terrified

very frightened. Example: The child was terrified by the loud sound effects

terrifying

very frightening. Example: The play created a terrifying atmosphere through lighting and music

thrilling

extremely exciting. Example: The live performance was thrilling from beginning to end

a matter of taste

something that depends on personal preference. Example: Whether modern art is beautiful is often a matter of taste

acquire a taste for

to begin to like something after experiencing it several times. Example: Many people acquire a taste for classical music as they grow older

be in bad taste

to be offensive or unsuitable. Example: Some people thought the joke in the play was in bad taste

compose a song

to write a piece of music. Example: The musician composed a song for the opening ceremony

have diverse tastes

to like many different kinds of things. Example: Young people today often have diverse tastes in music

share the same taste

to like the same things as someone else. Example: My sister and I share the same taste in films

accounting

the skill or activity of keeping records of the money a person or organisation earns and spends. Example: Many students study accounting because it offers stable career opportunities

apprenticeship

a period of time working as an apprentice. Example: He completed an apprenticeship before becoming a qualified technician

conceptualisation

the act or process of forming an idea or principle in the mind. Example: The conceptualisation of a new education system requires careful research

consistency

the quality of always behaving or happening in a similar way. Example: Consistency is important when students develop good study habits

establishment

the process of starting or creating something, or an organisation. Example: The establishment of vocational schools helped many young people learn practical skills

formulation

the process of creating or developing a plan, idea, or method. Example: The formulation of a clear career plan can help students choose suitable subjects

hypothesis

an idea or explanation based on known facts but not yet proved. Example: The researchers tested the hypothesis through a series of experiments

inconsistency

the fact of containing ideas, statements, or qualities that do not agree with each other. Example: The report was criticised because of several inconsistencies in the data

insignificance

the quality of being not important enough to be worth considering. Example: Some workers feel a sense of insignificance when their contribution is ignored

interpretation

an explanation or opinion about what something means. Example: Different researchers may offer different interpretations of the same results

technician

a worker trained with special skills, especially in science or engineering. Example: A laboratory technician is responsible for preparing equipment

theorist

someone who develops ideas about a particular subject. Example: A famous theorist proposed a new explanation of how children learn

vocation

a type of work that you feel suited to doing and to which you give much of your time and energy. Example: Many teachers regard education as a vocation rather than just a job

analytical

examining things in detail in order to understand them. Example: Analytical skills are essential for scientists and accountants

conceptual

relating to ideas or principles. Example: The course helps students develop both practical and conceptual knowledge

hypothetical

based on situations or ideas that are possible but may not be true. Example: The teacher asked students to discuss a hypothetical problem

indicative

showing or suggesting something. Example: Poor exam results may be indicative of wider problems in the education system

a process of trial and error

a way of learning the best method by trying different ways and learning from mistakes. Example: Choosing the right career is often a process of trial and error

give yourself something to aim for

to give yourself a clear target or purpose. Example: Setting a deadline can give yourself something to aim for

make a concerted effort

to try very hard, often together or in a determined way, to achieve something. Example: Governments should make a concerted effort to improve vocational training

set yourself a goal

to decide on something that you want to achieve. Example: Students should set themselves a goal before starting a new cours