The Quiet Power of Edward Hopper

Edward Hopper is one of the most famous American artists of the 20th century. His paintings, often showing lonely streets, empty buildings, and quiet people, capture something unique about modern life. Although his style is simple and realistic, the emotions behind his works are deep and often difficult to describe. His art shows silence, distance, and reflection — feelings many people experience but cannot explain in words.

Hopper was born in 1882 in Nyack, New York, a small town by the Hudson River. He grew up in a middle-class family and was encouraged by his parents to follow his interest in art. After high school, he studied illustration and painting in New York City. During this time, he also became interested in European art and made several trips to France. However, unlike many other American artists of his time, Hopper was not influenced by modernist movements like Cubism or Surrealism. He preferred to stay true to his own vision, based on observation and quiet emotion.

Hopper worked as an illustrator for many years, but he didn’t enjoy this kind of work. He wanted to be a painter, but success came slowly. His first big break came in 1924, when he had a solo exhibition that sold out — an unusual event at the time. This gave him the confidence and support to focus fully on painting.

One of Hopper’s most famous works is Nighthawks (1942), a painting of people sitting in a brightly lit diner late at night. There is no visible action, no conversation — just a few people in a quiet moment. This scene, like many others painted by Hopper, feels familiar and distant at the same time. Many viewers say they see themselves in the picture — sitting alone, thinking, waiting, wondering.

Hopper’s art was never loud or political. He didn’t try to shock or impress. Instead, he showed ordinary moments with deep honesty. He believed that art should reflect the real world, even if it was not beautiful. He also said very little about his own paintings, allowing people to find their own meaning.

Edward Hopper died in 1967, but his legacy lives on. His work continues to influence artists, filmmakers, and writers around the world. His quiet streets, long shadows, and silent figures remind us that there is great power in simplicity — and that sometimes, saying nothing at all says the most.

What does the author say about Hopper’s personality and message?

Secrets Beneath the Sand: Treasures of the Ancient World

For thousands of years, people have been fascinated by the achievements of ancient civilizations. From lost cities to priceless objects, the world beneath our feet still holds secrets that tell us stories of who we are and where we come from. But ancient treasures are not only about gold and jewels — they are about history, knowledge, and human progress.

One of the most amazing examples of ancient civilization is the city of Petra, located in modern-day Jordan. Hidden in the desert, this city was carved directly into the red stone cliffs more than 2,000 years ago. Petra was once a rich trading centre, connecting East and West. Its buildings, like the famous Treasury, are both beautiful and practical. They show that the people who built them were not only skilled artists but also great engineers.

In Greece, the ancient city of Athens became the heart of knowledge and democracy. Its most famous building, the Parthenon, stands on the Acropolis hill and has survived wars, earthquakes, and centuries of time. But the real treasure of Athens is not its marble temples — it is the ideas born there. Philosophy, politics, and drama developed in Athens and became part of Western culture.

Egypt is another land rich in ancient wonders. The pyramids of Giza are perhaps the most recognizable symbols of the ancient world. They were built more than 4,500 years ago as tombs for the pharaohs and are still a mystery in many ways. How were such large stones moved without modern machines? How did the builders plan such perfect shapes? The pyramids show that ancient Egyptians had knowledge of math, astronomy, and architecture far beyond their time.

In Central America, the Maya civilization created cities filled with temples, palaces, and pyramids deep in the jungle. Their writing system, based on pictures and symbols, is one of the most advanced of its time. They also had a complex calendar and studied the stars. Sadly, many of their cities were lost in the forest for centuries until modern archaeologists began to explore them.

Today, many ancient treasures are found in museums, while others are still buried underground. Some are discovered by accident, others through years of research. But no matter how we find them, they continue to inspire us. They remind us of the intelligence, creativity, and spirit of the people who lived long before us — and they challenge us to learn more.

What is the main idea of the text?

Secrets Beneath the Sand: Treasures of the Ancient World

For thousands of years, people have been fascinated by the achievements of ancient civilizations. From lost cities to priceless objects, the world beneath our feet still holds secrets that tell us stories of who we are and where we come from. But ancient treasures are not only about gold and jewels — they are about history, knowledge, and human progress.

One of the most amazing examples of ancient civilization is the city of Petra, located in modern-day Jordan. Hidden in the desert, this city was carved directly into the red stone cliffs more than 2,000 years ago. Petra was once a rich trading centre, connecting East and West. Its buildings, like the famous Treasury, are both beautiful and practical. They show that the people who built them were not only skilled artists but also great engineers.

In Greece, the ancient city of Athens became the heart of knowledge and democracy. Its most famous building, the Parthenon, stands on the Acropolis hill and has survived wars, earthquakes, and centuries of time. But the real treasure of Athens is not its marble temples — it is the ideas born there. Philosophy, politics, and drama developed in Athens and became part of Western culture.

Egypt is another land rich in ancient wonders. The pyramids of Giza are perhaps the most recognizable symbols of the ancient world. They were built more than 4,500 years ago as tombs for the pharaohs and are still a mystery in many ways. How were such large stones moved without modern machines? How did the builders plan such perfect shapes? The pyramids show that ancient Egyptians had knowledge of math, astronomy, and architecture far beyond their time.

In Central America, the Maya civilization created cities filled with temples, palaces, and pyramids deep in the jungle. Their writing system, based on pictures and symbols, is one of the most advanced of its time. They also had a complex calendar and studied the stars. Sadly, many of their cities were lost in the forest for centuries until modern archaeologists began to explore them.

Today, many ancient treasures are found in museums, while others are still buried underground. Some are discovered by accident, others through years of research. But no matter how we find them, they continue to inspire us. They remind us of the intelligence, creativity, and spirit of the people who lived long before us — and they challenge us to learn more.

 What does the author suggest about Maya civilization?

Secrets Beneath the Sand: Treasures of the Ancient World

For thousands of years, people have been fascinated by the achievements of ancient civilizations. From lost cities to priceless objects, the world beneath our feet still holds secrets that tell us stories of who we are and where we come from. But ancient treasures are not only about gold and jewels — they are about history, knowledge, and human progress.

One of the most amazing examples of ancient civilization is the city of Petra, located in modern-day Jordan. Hidden in the desert, this city was carved directly into the red stone cliffs more than 2,000 years ago. Petra was once a rich trading centre, connecting East and West. Its buildings, like the famous Treasury, are both beautiful and practical. They show that the people who built them were not only skilled artists but also great engineers.

In Greece, the ancient city of Athens became the heart of knowledge and democracy. Its most famous building, the Parthenon, stands on the Acropolis hill and has survived wars, earthquakes, and centuries of time. But the real treasure of Athens is not its marble temples — it is the ideas born there. Philosophy, politics, and drama developed in Athens and became part of Western culture.

Egypt is another land rich in ancient wonders. The pyramids of Giza are perhaps the most recognizable symbols of the ancient world. They were built more than 4,500 years ago as tombs for the pharaohs and are still a mystery in many ways. How were such large stones moved without modern machines? How did the builders plan such perfect shapes? The pyramids show that ancient Egyptians had knowledge of math, astronomy, and architecture far beyond their time.

In Central America, the Maya civilization created cities filled with temples, palaces, and pyramids deep in the jungle. Their writing system, based on pictures and symbols, is one of the most advanced of its time. They also had a complex calendar and studied the stars. Sadly, many of their cities were lost in the forest for centuries until modern archaeologists began to explore them.

Today, many ancient treasures are found in museums, while others are still buried underground. Some are discovered by accident, others through years of research. But no matter how we find them, they continue to inspire us. They remind us of the intelligence, creativity, and spirit of the people who lived long before us — and they challenge us to learn more.

Why are the pyramids of Egypt considered mysterious?

Secrets Beneath the Sand: Treasures of the Ancient World

For thousands of years, people have been fascinated by the achievements of ancient civilizations. From lost cities to priceless objects, the world beneath our feet still holds secrets that tell us stories of who we are and where we come from. But ancient treasures are not only about gold and jewels — they are about history, knowledge, and human progress.

One of the most amazing examples of ancient civilization is the city of Petra, located in modern-day Jordan. Hidden in the desert, this city was carved directly into the red stone cliffs more than 2,000 years ago. Petra was once a rich trading centre, connecting East and West. Its buildings, like the famous Treasury, are both beautiful and practical. They show that the people who built them were not only skilled artists but also great engineers.

In Greece, the ancient city of Athens became the heart of knowledge and democracy. Its most famous building, the Parthenon, stands on the Acropolis hill and has survived wars, earthquakes, and centuries of time. But the real treasure of Athens is not its marble temples — it is the ideas born there. Philosophy, politics, and drama developed in Athens and became part of Western culture.

Egypt is another land rich in ancient wonders. The pyramids of Giza are perhaps the most recognizable symbols of the ancient world. They were built more than 4,500 years ago as tombs for the pharaohs and are still a mystery in many ways. How were such large stones moved without modern machines? How did the builders plan such perfect shapes? The pyramids show that ancient Egyptians had knowledge of math, astronomy, and architecture far beyond their time.

In Central America, the Maya civilization created cities filled with temples, palaces, and pyramids deep in the jungle. Their writing system, based on pictures and symbols, is one of the most advanced of its time. They also had a complex calendar and studied the stars. Sadly, many of their cities were lost in the forest for centuries until modern archaeologists began to explore them.

Today, many ancient treasures are found in museums, while others are still buried underground. Some are discovered by accident, others through years of research. But no matter how we find them, they continue to inspire us. They remind us of the intelligence, creativity, and spirit of the people who lived long before us — and they challenge us to learn more.

What does the author say about Athens?

Secrets Beneath the Sand: Treasures of the Ancient World

For thousands of years, people have been fascinated by the achievements of ancient civilizations. From lost cities to priceless objects, the world beneath our feet still holds secrets that tell us stories of who we are and where we come from. But ancient treasures are not only about gold and jewels — they are about history, knowledge, and human progress.

One of the most amazing examples of ancient civilization is the city of Petra, located in modern-day Jordan. Hidden in the desert, this city was carved directly into the red stone cliffs more than 2,000 years ago. Petra was once a rich trading centre, connecting East and West. Its buildings, like the famous Treasury, are both beautiful and practical. They show that the people who built them were not only skilled artists but also great engineers.

In Greece, the ancient city of Athens became the heart of knowledge and democracy. Its most famous building, the Parthenon, stands on the Acropolis hill and has survived wars, earthquakes, and centuries of time. But the real treasure of Athens is not its marble temples — it is the ideas born there. Philosophy, politics, and drama developed in Athens and became part of Western culture.

Egypt is another land rich in ancient wonders. The pyramids of Giza are perhaps the most recognizable symbols of the ancient world. They were built more than 4,500 years ago as tombs for the pharaohs and are still a mystery in many ways. How were such large stones moved without modern machines? How did the builders plan such perfect shapes? The pyramids show that ancient Egyptians had knowledge of math, astronomy, and architecture far beyond their time.

In Central America, the Maya civilization created cities filled with temples, palaces, and pyramids deep in the jungle. Their writing system, based on pictures and symbols, is one of the most advanced of its time. They also had a complex calendar and studied the stars. Sadly, many of their cities were lost in the forest for centuries until modern archaeologists began to explore them.

Today, many ancient treasures are found in museums, while others are still buried underground. Some are discovered by accident, others through years of research. But no matter how we find them, they continue to inspire us. They remind us of the intelligence, creativity, and spirit of the people who lived long before us — and they challenge us to learn more.

Why is Petra described as a treasure?

Read the texts below. Match choices (A–H) to (1–6). There are two choices you do not need to use.

Write the correct letter (A–H) on the answer sheet.

Which text...

Read the texts below. Match choices (A–H) to (1–6). There are two choices you do not need to use.

Write the correct letter (A–H) on the answer sheet. 

Read the texts below. Match choices (A–H) to (1–5).

There are three choices you do not need to use.

Most friendships develop so naturally that you don't even realize how or when they started. Sometimes, though, you want to make an effort to befriend a new acquaintance or become a better friend to existing pals. Read on to find out how to develop better relationships faster.