Daily assignment for the 11th form

Graffiti 

Graffiti has existed since people learned how to scratch symbols in rocks. Graffiti is any image, symbol or letters made on public property. While some people still make scratches in rocks, concrete or buildings, most graffiti is now made with spray paint or markers.

Is graffiti vandalism? Some graffiti is ugly. Some graffiti, called tagging, is just the name or initials of a person. It is often unreadable. The only purpose of tagging seems to be to quickly spray your initials on as many different surfaces as possible. Nobody likes tags except the taggers.

Is graffiti art? Some graffiti is artistic and takes time, skill and talent to create. It can be nice to look at. The purpose of some graffiti is to spread social messages or political messages. Some cities have places where walls or other surfaces can be used by people to create pieces of graffiti art.

Vocabulary help:

•  artistic (adjective) - showing skill and imagination in creating
•  concrete (noun) - a hard, strong building material. Bridges and sidewalks are often made from concrete.
•  create (verb) - to make, to bring into being.
•  image (noun) - a picture of a person or thing.
•  initials (noun) - the first letter in a person's names.
•  message (noun) - spoken or written information sent from one person or group to another.
• political (adjective) - having to do with the study or practice of politics, politicians, or government.
•  scratch (verb) - to cause damage to a surface with something sharp.
•  skill (noun) - an ability to do something well, especially because of training or practice.
•  spray (verb) - to apply a spray to a surface, or to force liquid out of a container in many small drops
• spray (noun) - many small drops of liquid blown through the air
• spray paint (noun) - paint that is sprayed onto surfaces
•  surfaces (noun) - the outside of something
•  symbol (noun) - an object or picture that represents something else.
•  talent (noun) - a natural skill or ability.
• ugly (adjective) - not pleasant to look at.
•  unreadable (adjective) - not able to be read, as handwriting; illegible.
• vandalism (noun) - destruction or damage of property that is done on purpose.

Comprehension Check: