Dreaming Inside the Box: The Art of Joseph Cornell
Students will read a passage about Joseph Cornell and his unique art, creating shadow boxes. Students will answer questions about character, central idea ideas, making inferences, and drawing conclusions.
Reading Comprehension Passage
Dreaming Inside the Box: The Art of Joseph Cornell
Reading Comprehension Questions
Vocabulary List
Vocabulary List
Each of the vocabulary words below are used in the reading passage. As you read the passage, pay attention to context clues that suggest the word’s meaning.
- apprentices
- collectives
- preconceived
- grueling
- compensation
- idolized
- luminaries
- disengaged
- wistful
- irresistible
Context Clues
Context Clues
Using context clues from the sentences in the passage, underline the correct meaning of the word in boldface.
1) "students in art school or as apprentices to other artists"
a. friends; companions b. trainees or beginners c. critics d. teachers
2) "You may even see them as members of art collectives"
a. books or guides b. theatrical plays c. auctions d. group of people; organizations
3) "one artist who shatters all of those preconceived notions"
a. common b. historical c. formed without knowledge; predetermined d. interesting
4) "Joseph held a number of grueling sales jobs to help support the family."
a. difficult or demanding b. well-paid; profitable c. traveling d. important; valuable
5) "As a sort of compensation for the work he hated, he spent his free time wandering"
a. requirement b. penalty or punishment c. vacation d. reward; repayment
6) "Joseph also idolized a number of famous dancers and opera stars"
a. admired; worshiped b. married c. painted or sculpted d. became friends with
7) "Joseph fascinated the luminaries who met him"
a. agents b. painters; artists c. celebrities or dignitaries d. journalists; reporters
8) "his fears kept him disengaged from the world on a regular basis"
a. exhausted or tired b. disconnected; detached c. interested; concerned d. sick or ill
9) "His wistful remark to one of his sisters near the end of his life"
a. casual; unimportant b. quiet c. nostalgic or wishful longing d. affectionate
10) "He created irresistible visual stories that continue to inspire artists"
a. fascinating or powerful b. permanent; lasting c. irritating; annoying d. careful; cautious