Knowledge and skills
1．To understand the meanings of the following new words and phrases：abstract(抽象的)，sculpture(雕塑)，gallery(画廊)，faith(信念)，aim(目标)，conventional(传统的)，typical(典型的，有代表性的)，evident(明显的)，adopt(采用)，possess(拥有)，superb(卓越的，杰出的)，possession(财产)，technique(技术)，by coincidence(巧合地)，a great deal(大量)，shadow(阴影)，ridiculous(可笑的)，controversial(争议的)，attempt(尝试；企图)，on the other hand(另一方面)，predict(预测)．
2．To learn about some major movements in Western art and how art has changed stylistically over the centuries.
3．To learn how the information is organized.
4．To develop the students' reading ability by skimming and scanning the passage.
5．To develop the students' speaking ability by talking about Western paintings.
