A
While it's the books that make a library, being in lovely surroundings may provide inspiration and help you to work a little bit harder. Here are some of the coolest libraries of the world.
The Library of Birmingham - Birmingham, U. K.
The new Library of Birmingham is said to be not only Britain's biggest public library, but also the largest in Europe. Designed by Dutch architects, this replacement for the Birmingham Central Library was opened in 2013 and has a wealth of resources within its walls, including adult and kids' libraries, music collections, a Shakespeare Memorial Room, and even a gym. Gardens crown the roof, while the changing seasons bring variations in the shadows and reflections inside.
The National Library of France Paris, France
The National Library of France, which now contains an astonishing collection of 30 million, dates back to the14th century and this royal library was set up at the Louvre Palace by King Charles V. The library was moved to Rue de Richelieu in 1868, with major design work carried out by French architects Henri Labrouste and, following his death Jean Louis Pascal. Here, the reading rooms are elegance themselves. There are more than just books to be found.
The State Library of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
The public State Library of New South Wales holds the honor of being the oldest institution of its kind in Australia. It was originally set up as the Australian Subscription Library in 1826，but it wasn't until 1942 that its permanent home was ready. Designed by Sydney architect Walter Liberty Vernon and completed in 1910, the magnificent sand-stone Mitchell Wing is one of the architectural highlights.
Seattle Central Library---Seattle, Washington, USA
Seattle Central Library's distinctive design ensures it stands out. Architect Rem Koolhaas is one of the names attached to its design. Architects sought to envelop the 11-storybuilding with “a layer of transparency”, using a skin of glass and metal. The public library houses about 1.45million books and other things, as well as more than 400 computers available for public use. The building, which opened in 2004, was included on the American Institute of Architects' list of Americans' 150 favorite structures in 2007.
1. Which of the following libraries has the longest history?
A. Seattle Central Library. B. The Library of Birmingham.
C. The National Library of France. D. The State Library of New South Wales.
2. What can you do in the Library of Birmingham?
A. Take some exercise. B. Act in a play.
C. Attend a concert. D. Enjoy new technology.
3. What do the National Library of France and Seattle Central Library have in common?
A. They have computers available. B. They were moved to a new place.
C. They won awards for architecture. D. They were designed by more than one person.
【答案】1. C 2. A 3. D
【解析】
【分析】这是一篇应用文。主要介绍了四个世界上最酷的图书馆。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段中Designed by Dutch architects, this replacement for the Birmingham Central Library was opened in 2013 and has a wealth of resources within its walls, including adult and kids' libraries, music collections, a Shakespeare Memorial Room, and even a gym. (这座由荷兰建筑师设计的图书馆于2013年启用，是伯明翰中央图书馆的替代品，其内部有丰富的资源，包括成人和儿童图书馆、音乐收藏、一个莎士比亚纪念室，甚至还有一个健身房)；第三段中The National Library of France, which now contains an astonishing collection of 30 million, dates back to the14th century and this royal library was set up at the Louvre Palace by King Charles V.(法国国家图书馆建于14世纪，藏书3000万册，数量惊人。这座皇家图书馆是查理五世在卢浮宫建立的)；第四段中It was originally set up as the Australian Subscription Library in 1826，but it wasn't until 1942 that its permanent home was ready.(它最初是在1826年作为澳大利亚订阅图书馆建立的，但直到1942年才准备好它的永久住所)；以及最后一段中The building, which opened in 2004, was included on the American Institute of Architects' list of Americans' 150 favorite structures in 2007.(该建筑于2004年开放，2007年被美国建筑师协会列入美国人最喜欢的150个建筑)由此可知，法国国家图书馆历史最长。故选C。
【2题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段中Designed by Dutch architects, this replacement for the Birmingham Central Library was opened in 2013 and has a wealth of resources within its walls, including adult and kids' libraries, music collections, a Shakespeare Memorial Room, and even a gym.可知这座由荷兰建筑师设计的图书馆于2013年启用，是伯明翰中央图书馆的替代品，其内部有丰富的资源，包括成人和儿童图书馆、音乐收藏、一个莎士比亚纪念室，甚至还有一个健身房。由此可知，你可以在伯明翰图书馆做些运动。故选A。
【3题详解】
细节理解题。根据第三段中The library was moved to Rue de Richelieu in 1868, with major design work carried out by French architects Henri Labrouste and, following his death Jean Louis Pascal.(1868年，这座图书馆搬到了黎塞留街，主要的设计工作由法国建筑师Henri Labrouste以及在他去世之后由Jean Louis Pascal完成)以及最后一段中Architect Rem Koolhaas is one of the names attached to its design.(建筑师Rem Koolhaas是其设计的名字之一)可知由此可知，法国国家图书馆和西雅图中央图书馆的共同之处在于它们是由不止一个人设计的。故选D。
