Unit 6

Word

Definition

Example

abstract

showing ideas and emotions through shapes and colors rather than realistic images.

I don't really like abstract art – I like pictures to look realistic.

auction

a public sale where people offer money and the highest offer wins.

Every year at school we have an auction for charity where we sell things we've made to the person who will pay the most.

choreographer

a person who creates and teaches dance movements.

When he retired from dancing, he became a choreographer.

conductor

a person who directs a group of musicians or a choir.

A conductor often doesn't look like he or she is doing much, but leading an orchestra is a big responsibility.

exhibition

an event where art or other items are shown to the public.

There's a new exhibition of Picasso's early work on at the gallery.

illustration

a picture or drawing that explains or decorates a text.

I've always loved the original illustrations for Alice in Wonderland – they're beautiful.

installation

a large art piece arranged in a space, often combining objects, light, or sound.

I saw an amazing light installation in the street when I was visiting London.

masterpiece

a work of art that is exceptionally good or the best an artist has created.

The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is one of Michelangelo's many masterpieces.

producer

the person responsible for organizing and managing a play, film, or music recording.

George Lucas is a producer of most of the original Star Wars films.

set

the scenery and background used on a stage or in a film.

The set for the play was amazing – a giant palace which turned around so you could see inside and out.

stage

the raised area where actors or performers present to an audience.

The stage was very small and we were sitting very close, so we had a great view of the actors.

studio

a place where artists, musicians, or film-makers work or record.

His studio is a disaster area! Paint and brushes everywhere – but his pictures are beautiful.

draw up

prepare, draw or write a plan

The government has drawn up plans to evacuate the area.

edit out

remove parts of sth, e.g. a film, TV programme, newspaper article

It was a good film, but they could have edited out the scenes where nothing important happened.

grow on

start to like more

I didn't like that picture at first, but it's growing on me now.

sketch out

make a general plan or drawing with few details

Use a pencil to sketch out your picture before you start painting.

tear up

tear/rip into pieces

I realised I'd misunderstood the question, so I tore it up and started again.

turn out

develop in a particular way, have a particular result

I thought the play was going to be boring but it turned out to be excellent.

balancing act

a situation where you try to manage different things at the same time successfully.

Having a part-time job and studying for important exams is a very difficult balancing act.

be a difficult act to follow

to be so good that it's hard for someone else to do better afterward.

Mrs Bridges was a fantastic headteacher, so she'll be a difficult act to follow for the new one.

behind the scenes

happening secretly or in private, not seen by the public.

They seem like a happy couple but, behind the scenes, they're always arguing.

blank canvas

something new with no limits, ready for creative ideas or possibilities.

We've got to write a poem for English. It can be about anything at all, so we've got a blank canvas to start from.

play a role

to be involved or help in achieving something.

Thank you for playing an important role in cleaning the beach.

take centre stage

to become the most important or noticeable person or thing.

I don't like to take centre stage at parties. I prefer to sit in the corner and talk quietly.

access

to be able to enter, use, or get something.

You can access your account online from any device.

attract

to make people or things come closer or show interest.

The festival attracts thousands of visitors every year.

beauty

the quality of being pleasing to look at or experience.

We were amazed by the natural beauty of the mountains.

doubt

to feel unsure about something.

I doubt that he will arrive on time.

ease

the state of being comfortable, without difficulty or effort.

The new software was designed to improve ease of use.

equip

to provide someone or something with the necessary tools or skills.

The school will equip all classrooms with new computers.

mass

a large amount or quantity of something.

A large mass of dark clouds gathered over the city.

patience

the ability to stay calm and not get angry while waiting.

You need a lot of patience when working with young children.