1997 Arts Assessment Strategies ReportExercises Five to Seven From the Interior Space Task

The Arts Assessment Development Committee worked hard with measurement experts from Educational Testing Service to use multiple-choice questions in meaningful ways. One good use of this question type is to ask about technical aspects of works of visual art. These questions were deliberately placed at a stage in the task when students had had an opportunity to look carefully at both works.

(The responses in bold indicate the correct answers.)

View painting 1 and painting 2.

Which statement best describes an important difference between painting 1 and painting 2?

A	The interior space is defined by simplification of form in painting 1, and by realism in painting 2.
B	Painting 1 shows an aerial view of the interior space, while painting 2 shows the interior space from the eye level of the people in the painting.
C	Painting 1 uses one-point perspective and painting 2 uses two-point perspective.
D	Negative space plays a larger role in painting 1 than in painting 2.

Painting 1 is characterized by

A	minimal contrast between colors
B	flat areas of color
C	the use of soft light
D	a wide range of textures

Which statement best describes how space has been organized in painting 2?

A	Perspective is used to show both shallow and deep space.
B	Flat objects and lines create spatial tension.
C	Objects are arranged to create a feeling of open, uncluttered space.
D	High contrast of colors defines near and far space.

NEXT: Exercise Eight From the Interior Space Task

Last updated 10 June 2022 (YA)