Question

Read the claim about artists.

In the past, the most famous painters, such as Da Vinci and Rafael, achieved their fame due to their extraordinary talent. In contrast, artists of today may possess very limited skills. The success of a modern artist often results from a genius for marketing or selling ideas rather than artistic ability.

Which statement below best supports the claim with evidence?
For example, Georgia O’Keefe became famous for her delicate and unusual paintings of animal skulls and flowers.
For example, Damien Hirst became famous for a silver shark in a tank, preserved with formaldehyde.
For example, Paul Gaughin became famous for colorful, symbolic paintings of Tahitian women.
For example, Mark Rothko became famous for his colorful abstract paintings in which color bleeds.

Answer 1

Answer: The right answer is the B) "For example, Damien Hirst became famous for a silver shark in a tank, preserved with formaldehyde."

Explanation: Just to elaborate a little on the answer, it can also be added that in the claim it is said that while in the past artists became famous on account on their artistic talent, some artists become successful nowadays "simply" as a result of a marketing strategy or a capacity to sell an idea. The other three statements do not support the claim with evidence as appropriately as statement B, since they provide examples of modern artists that became famous actually as a result of their artistic creativity and/or skill. Damien Hirst (1965) did indeed become famous after putting a silver tiger shark in a tank, which had been preserved with formaldehyde.

Answer 2

I believe the correct answer is: For example, Damien Hirst became famous for a silver shark in a tank, preserved with formaldehyde.

This claim about artists represents modern artist mostly as talentless, as opposed to Da Vinci or Raphael, for the art itself, but talented in the area of marketing their product. Having that in mind, the statement that best supports the claim with evidence would be:

For example, Damien Hirst became famous for a silver shark in a tank, preserved with formaldehyde.

As Damien Hrist is the only one that has not became famous for his artistic style, like Georgia O’Keefe became famous for her delicate and unusual paintings of animal skulls and flowers, Paul Gaughin for colorful, symbolic paintings of Tahitian women or Mark Rothko for his colorful abstract paintings in which color bleeds.