5-minute listening exercise: Banksy’s coastal ‘Great British Spraycation’
- Practise your English with our short listening exercises: play the audio linked below; answer the questions; and check the answers at the bottom of the page.
- In this week’s podcast, Kristen and Hoi-ki discuss some new graffiti pieces by the street artist known as Banksy
Street artist Banksy has claimed responsibility for a series of street art including this one on a wall in Gorleston-on-Sea on the east coast of Britain. Photo: AFPClick here for the audio file (the script has been adapted from Agence France-Presse).
Play the Kahoot! game here.
Questions
1 Which word below suggests that no one knows Banksy’s real identity?
A. famed
B. anonymous
C. suspected
D. graffiti
2 In which parts of Britain did Banksy most recently showcase his work?
A. seaside towns
B. countryside
C. villages
D. market towns
3 What does the word “spraycation” most likely refer to?
A. spending the holidays driving around to different places
B. stocking up spray paint for new graffiti art
C. creating graffiti art during a vacation
D. spraying paint in a van
4 Which word can replace “installations” in the podcast?
A. furniture
B. investment
C. construction
D. artwork
5 An “elusive” person is someone who …
A. breaks the law.
B. tells lies.
C. does not want to be found.
D. draws on walls.
6 What is a rat doing in one of the graffiti?
A. hiding under a deckchair
B. having a drink
C. sitting on top of a wall
D. lying on a bench
7 If something “dangles”, it …
A. falls suddenly.
B. is not moving.
C. is upside down.
D. hangs loosely.
8 What is the seagull in another graffiti grabbing from a waste bin?
A. food
B. an animal
C. toys
D. nothing
9 Which graffiti does Hoi-ki like best?
A. the one of a rat
B. the one with a mechanical claw
C. the one depicting a giant bird
D. the one featuring three children
10 What is the boat in one of the installations made of?
A. bubble wrap
B. brand-new wood
C. unwanted metal
D. spray paint
11 What is one of the children doing at the back of the boat in the installation?
A. pouring water into the boat
B. removing water from the boat
C. playing and splashing each other with a bucket of water
D. transferring water from one bucket to another
12 What words are written on the installation?
A. “We’re all stuck on the boat.”
B. “We’re all sinking together with the boat.”
C. “We’re all leaving the boat.”
D. “We’re all in the same boat.”
13 Why is Banksy’s graffiti described as being “satirical” at the end of the podcast?
A. He uses his art to critique sociopolitical injustices.
B. His art has been widely criticised by people in Britain.
C. He is unpopular with politicians in Britain.
D. all of the above
14 How does Kristen feel about Banksy’s next project?
A. grim
B. apprehensive
C. eager
D. undecided
15 Which group of people is most likely to listen to this podcast?
A. students who are learning about the history of sculpture
B. someone who appreciates street art
C. authorities who are trying to ban graffiti
D. none of the above
Answers
1. B
2. A
3. C
4. D
5. C
6. B
7. D
8. A
9. D
10. C
11. B
12. D
13. A
14. C
15. B