Question

Now that so much data is stored and circulated electronically, a library might seem to be a slightly outdated concept. However, a huge proportion of the world’s information and learning is still not available electronically, so libraries retain their importance for research and study. It is should also be remembered that libraries store books, inscriptions(銘文), and documents that are beautiful, and valuable not just for their contents, but also for their historic and artistic significance.

British Library (United Kingdom, London)

The British Library was created by Act of Parliament in 1972. Previously, the library had been part of the British Museum, where the famous circular reading room had accommodated researchers including Karl Marx, who worked on Das Kapital there, as well as Oscar Wilde and Mohandas Gandhi. The British Library is now housed in a new building in St. Pancras, London, where its treasures include two Gutenberg Bibles, the Lindisfarne Gospels, and one of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks.

Library of Congress(United States, Washington, D. C)

Founded in 1800 with the private collection of Thomas Jefferson, the Library of Congress is in fact the USA’s National Library, although only Congress members and employees can borrow books. It receives two copies of everything published in the United States. The Library of Congress was burned by the British Army in 1812, and severely damaged by fire again in 1851. The collection includes many rare books and drawings, and two Stradivarius violins.

National Library of China(Beijing)

Holding over 30 million books and documents, and visited by over five million people every year, this is the largest collection of Chinese writing in the world, and the largest library is Asia. It includes Chinese inscriptions on bone, stone, and tortoise shell which date back as far as the sixteenth century BC, and some of the oldest printed documents in existence as well as items in foreign languages and many rare books.

1.Despite the current electronic world, libraries are of importance because ________.

A. they are historically and artistically significant

B. they play an important role in preserving written accounts

C. they have available places for readers to rest

D. they are as convenient as electronic resources

2.Which of the following statements on British Library is TRUE?

A. The library has the most famous circular reading room in the world

B. Both Karl Marx and Oscar Wilde worked and lived in British Library

C. British Museum was once in charge of the British Library

D. All of Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks are kept there

3.Library of Congress differs from other two libraries in the fact that ________.

A. not all people are allowed to borrow books

B. its collection includes many rare written works

C. it was created by the British Army in 1812

D. Thomas Jefferson has nothing to do with its foundation

4.In National Library of China, you are able to ___________.

A. find copies of everything published in the US

B. read Chinese inscriptions on various materials before the 16th century BC

C. borrow rare books and books written in different languages

D. have access to treasures like Gutenberg Bibles and Lindisfarne Gospels

Answer 1