Critical viewing of visual art is difficult at first. Much that is praised in contemporary painting and sculpture may look so unfamiliar that the tendency is to say, "I don't understand it," and drop the subject. Instead, stand back, look carefully at the work, be positive, and try as hard as possible to describe exactly what is there before you: "This is a large canvas, mainly white, with broad strokes of scarlet, resembling comets." The description does not say whether the painting is worth the time to investigate it, but you can never get to evaluating it without first seeing it clearly without a preset attitude.

The 1997 blockbuster film Titanic offers a good opportunity to practice the skill of noticing. Everyone knows about the disaster that befell the ship and its passengers in 1912. The climax is clear from the beginning. There can be no surprises. What interests us along the way? Irony, of course: the opening shots of the magnificent vessel and the champagne bottle confidently broken across the hull; the cheering of the crowd; the proud faces of owners and builders; quick scenes of a few families and couples who will be shown again as the voyage proceeds, people whose lives we know will be ended or changed forever as the ship comes closer and closer to its dread fate; a little further on, quick cuts to the telegraph operators receiving reports of icebergs; and then close-ups of bits of ice floating in the serene waters through which the ship glides, telltale signs that go unnoticed, so that, even though the ending of the film is obvious, the piling up of these details can intensify the emotions of some viewers, even those who may ultimately decide that there is too much irony, that the inevitable tragedy is overstated.

	a. visual art
	b. critical viewing of visual art
	c. critical viewing of painting
	d. sculpture

	a. Critical viewing of visual art is difficult at first.
	b. Much that is praised in contemporary painting and sculpture may look so unfamiliar that the tendency is to say, "I don't understand it," and drop the subject.
	c. Instead, stand back, look carefully at the work, be positive, and try as hard as possible to describe exactly what is there before you: "This is a large canvas, mainly white, with broad strokes of scarlet, resembling comets."
	d. The description does not say whether the painting is worth the time to investigate it, but you can never get to evaluating it without first seeing it clearly without a preset attitude.

	a. irony
	b. irony in film
	c. disaster films
	d. the skill of noticing as applied to irony in Titanic

	a. Titanic was a blockbuster film.
	b. Details of irony in Titanic provide an opportunity to practice the skill of noticing.
	c. Irony is an excellent visual tool for filmmakers.
	d. The skill of noticing requires practice.

	a. Three
	b. Four
	c. Five
	d. Six