Niagara by Frederic Edwin Church (USA — 1857) — Questions and answers

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What special detail did Frederic Edwin Church include in his painting 'Niagara' to make people feel more awe?

Choices

  1. He painted many happy people enjoying the view.
  2. He hid a secret treasure map in the colors.
  3. He left out any humans in the very front to make nature feel bigger and more powerful. ✓
  4. He made the painting very small so you had to get close to see it.

Answer: He left out any humans in the very front to make nature feel bigger and more powerful.

From page 1

What did young Frederic do when his mother pointed out the rainbow at Niagara Falls?

Choices

  1. He closed his eyes and wished for a pony.
  2. He ran away to play hide-and-seek.
  3. He started to draw the rainbow excitedly in his sketchbook. ✓
  4. He asked his mother to buy him a souvenir.

Answer: He started to draw the rainbow excitedly in his sketchbook.

From page 2

What important lesson did Thomas Cole teach Frederic about painting nature?

Choices

  1. To only use green and brown colors in his paintings.
  2. To paint every single leaf and blade of grass perfectly.
  3. To show the spiritual feeling and deeper meaning of nature, not just how it looks. ✓
  4. To always include a small animal hiding in every painting.

Answer: To show the spiritual feeling and deeper meaning of nature, not just how it looks.

From page 3

How did people react when Frederic Edwin Church's 'Niagara' painting was first shown to the public?

Choices

  1. They thought it was boring and didn't care for it.
  2. They loved it so much they felt like they were at the real waterfall. ✓
  3. They thought it was too small to be impressive.
  4. They were confused and didn't understand what it was.

Answer: They loved it so much they felt like they were at the real waterfall.

From page 4

When tourists see the real Niagara Falls, what do they often say compared to Church's painting?

Choices

  1. The painting is much bigger than the real falls.
  2. The real falls are even more incredible than the painting. ✓
  3. The painting looks nothing like the real falls.
  4. The painting makes them want to visit a different place.

Answer: The real falls are even more incredible than the painting.

From page 6

According to the story, what did Frederic Edwin Church say he needed to do to truly paint Niagara?

Choices

  1. He had to count all the water droplets.
  2. He had to feel its soul with his heart. ✓
  3. He had to make sure his paintbrushes were brand new.
  4. He had to paint it in less than a day.

Answer: He had to feel its soul with his heart.

From page 7