The Universal Museum人人都爱的大英博物馆

by Leigh Goldberg

Founded by Sir Hans Sloane, the British Museum is the ultimate house of cultural artifacts and antiquities.
由汉斯·史隆爵士所创立的大英博物馆是文化艺术品及古代文物最终的家。

What is a person who has amassed over 71,000 objects to do to make sure the priceless collection is not broken up after his death? Physician and naturalist Sir Hans Sloane decided to bequeath his whole kit and caboodle to King George II in the mid-1700s. In return, Sloane's heirs received a hefty sum equivalent _(1)_ nearly US$30,000, and England established the first public national museum in the world in 1753.
The British Museum in London _(2)_ opened its doors to the public in 1759. The _(3)_ was free, and the collection on display consisted of manuscripts, books, drawings, prints, natural specimens, and antiquities from various cultures. As the British Empire expanded, so _(4)_ the museum's collection. Most notably, it _(5)_ the Rosetta Stone, a valuable key in the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphs, and the Parthenon sculptures in the early 19th century.
Presently, the British Museum is one of the world's largest, housing nearly 100 galleries in its more than 90,000 square-meter facility. Its _(6)_ collection has some eight million works, of which only one percent, or 50,000 pieces, is showcased publically at any single time. What's more, it is among the most expansive and comprehensive collections around since it documents the global history of human culture from the beginning to now. However, visitors wanting to check out the natural specimens or books and manuscripts have to venture to the Natural History Museum and the British Library respectively since they no longer call the British Museum home. With over three kilometers of exhibition space, there's no _(7)_ of cultural artifacts to see at the British Museum.


1. (A) to (B) at (C) into (D) on
2. (A) negatively (B) intensely (C) officially (D) directly
3. (A) identity (B) admission (C) management (D) assurance
4. (A) is (B) does (C) was (D) did
5. (A) relieved (B) rejected (C) acquired (D) overlooked
6. (A) obedient (B) permanent (C) portable (D) shameful
7. (A) shortage (B) apology (C) diligence (D) imitation

1. In return, Sloane's heirs received a hefty sum equivalent to nearly US$30,000...
   理由:
   a. 本空格测试以下固定用法∶
   be equivalent to...相当於……
   Some scientists say the intelligence of an adult macaw is equivalent to that of a four-year-old child.
   有些科学家表示，一苹成年金刚鹦鹉的智力相当於一个四岁小孩。
   b. 根据上述用法，(A) 项应为正选。
2. The British Museum in London officially opened its doors to the public in 1759.
   理由:
   a. (A) negatively adv. 负面地
   Gary tends to think negatively about his future, no matter how good everything is.
   不论事情有多好，盖瑞往往对自己的未来抱持负面的想法。
   (B) intensely adv. 极度地，强烈地
   Apple products have become intensely popular all over the world.
   苹果公司的商品在全世界受到热烈欢迎。
   (C) officially adv. 正式地
   George and Mary's engagement was officially announced last week.
   乔治和玛丽订婚的消息是在上星期正式宣布的。
   (D) directly adv. 直接地
   You can't walk directly across this street, so you need to take the overpass.
   你不能直接穿越这条街，所以你得走天桥。
   b. 根据语意，(C) 项应为正选。
3. The admission was free, and the collection on display consisted of manuscripts...
   理由:
   a. (A) identity n. 身份
   The identity of the thief is still unknown at this point.
   那名窃贼的身份至今仍不明。
   (B) admission
   n. 入场费（与介词 to 并用）
   Admission to the play is NT$200.
   那出戏的入场费是新台币两百元。
   (C) management n. 管理
   Good time management can increase your efficiency.
   良好的时间管理可以提升你的效率。
   (D) assurance n. 保证
   Benson gave me his assurance that he would show up on time.
   班森向我保证他会准时出现。
   b. 根据语意，(B) 项应为正选。
4. As the British Empire expanded, so did the museum's collection.
   理由:
   a. 本句为 so 所引导的肯定附和句，其後须采倒装句构。
   Henry is a doctor, and so is his father.
   亨利是个医生，他父亲也是。
   b. 前方主要子句的动词 expanded 为过去式，故空格应选择同为过去时态的助动词 did。
   c. 根据上述，(D) 项应为正选。
5. Most notably, it acquired the Rosetta Stone, a valuable key in the deciphering of Egyptian hieroglyphs, and the Parthenon sculptures in the early 19th century.
   理由:
   a. (A) relieve vt. 缓和
   The government will take steps to relieve unemployment.
   政府将采取措施来缓和失业的现象。
   (B) reject vt. 拒绝
   = turn down...
   The school rejected Amy's application because it wasn't completed properly.
   那所学校拒绝了艾咪的申请，因为申请书并不完整。
   (C) acquire vt. 获得
   Jim acquired his wealth by investing in the stock market.
   吉姆靠投资股票而致富。
   (D) overlook vt. 忽视；忽略
   If you overlook caring for your teeth, you may end up with cavities.
   如果你忽略照顾牙齿的健康，最後可能会蛀牙。
   b. 根据语意，(C) 项应为正选。
6. Its permanent collection has some eight million works, of which only one percent, or 50,000 pieces, is showcased publically at any single time.
   理由:
   a. (A) obedient a. 服从的
   be obedient to...对……服从
   A good citizen is obedient to the law.
   好国民都会守法。
   (B) permanent a. 永久的
   The rich man has permanent residence in several countries.
   这位有钱人拥有好几个国家的永久居留权。
   (C) portable a. 可携带的
   The tablet computer is lightweight, portable, and easy to store.
   这台平板电脑轻巧、便於携带，而且容易收纳。
   (D) shameful a. 令人感到可耻的
   It is shameful + that 子句
   ……令人感到可耻
   It is shameful that Jason has been cheating on his girlfriend.
   杰森一直对女友劈腿，真是可耻。
   b. 根据语意，(B) 项应为正选。
7. With over three kilometers of exhibition space, there's no shortage of cultural artifacts to see at the British Museum.
   理由:
   a. (A) shortage n. 缺乏
   The shortage of water added to the villagers' difficulties.
   缺水使得这些村民的困境雪上加霜。
   (B) apology n. 道歉
   Jake offered no apology for his rude behavior.
   杰克并没有为他无礼的行为表示歉意。
   (C) diligence n. 勤勉
   A lack of intelligence can often be compensated for by diligence.
   勤奋往往可以弥补笨拙。
   (D) imitation n. 模仿
   do an imitation of sb模仿某人
   My brother can do a good imitation of Michael Jackson.
   我弟弟很会模仿麦可·杰克逊。
   b. 根据语意，(A) 项应为正选。

1. amass vt. 收集
   In 10 years, Steve amassed a fortune by selling chewing gum on the street.
   十年间，史提夫藉由在街头卖口香糖而累积了一笔财富。
2. In return, S + V（做）……作为回报
   Could you help me with my math? In return, I'll help you study for your history test.
   你能教我数学吗？我会帮你准备历史考试作为回报。
3. on display展示中
   The sculptures will be on display until the end of this year.
   这些雕像将展示到今年底。
4. expand vi. & vt. 扩展
   At a time when the economy is so bad, it's not a good idea to expand your business overseas.
   在经济这麽糟的时候，你想向海外扩展事业可不是什麽好点子。
5. house vt. 容纳；收藏
   The classroom can house 50 students.
   这间教室可以容纳五十位学生。
   Andy housed his collection of rare baseball cards in a small box.
   安迪将他收藏的稀有棒球卡存放在一个小盒子中。
6. showcase vt. 陈列，展示
   The company went to the trade convention to showcase their latest products.
   那家公司参加商展来展示他们的最新产品。
7. comprehensive a. 广泛的，全面的
   Our team is now conducting comprehensive research on the effects of global warming.
   我们的团队正在对全球暖化的影响做全面性的研究。
8. document vt. 记录
   The doctor wanted the nurse to document everything the patient ate.
   医生要护士详细记录这名病人所吃的每一样东西。
9. respectively adv. 分别地
   Mark and Bruce work in electronics and law respectively.
   马克和布鲁斯分别从事电子业与法律工作。

1. universal a. 普遍的，全世界的
2. artifact n. 历史文物；手工艺品
3. antiquity n. 古代文物（常用复数）
4. priceless a. 无价的
5. naturalist n.（研究动植物的）博物学家
6. bequeath vt. 遗赠；留下
7. the whole kit and caboodle n. 全部（本文指收藏品）
8. heir n. 继承人（h 不发音）
9. hefty a. 大量的，巨额的
10. manuscript n. 手稿
11. specimen n. 标本
12. empire n. 帝国
13. notably adv. 特别地，格外地
14. decipher vt. 破解（密码、谜等）
15. hieroglyph n. 象形文字
16. gallery n. 艺廊；画廊
17. facility n.（特定用途的）场所
18. expansive a. 宽广的，辽阔的
19. venture to...（冒险）前往……
20. exhibition n. 展示

人人都爱的大英博物馆
由汉斯·史隆爵士所创立的大英博物馆是文化艺术品及古代文物最终的家。
一位收藏了七万一千多件物品的人会做什麽事来确保在他死後这些无价的收藏品不会损坏呢？身为医生和博物学家的汉斯·史隆爵士在十八世纪中期时决定在他过世後将他所有的收藏品都赠送给英国国王乔治二世。史隆的後代得到了当时相当於约三万美元的钜款作为回报，而英国也在 1753 年设立了全世界第一座国立博物馆。
位於伦敦的大英博物馆是在 1759 年正式对大众开放。该馆是免费入场，而展出的收藏品包括了来自各种文化的手稿、书籍、画作、印刷品、自然标本及古代文物。随著大英帝国的扩展，大英博物馆的收藏也随之增加。其中最特别的是，该馆在十九世纪初期得到了罗塞塔石碑这项破解埃及象形文字的宝贵关键，以及帕德嫩神庙的雕像。
目前，大英博物馆是全世界最大的博物馆之一，其九万多平方公尺的占地有将近一百座艺廊。在该馆永久展出的作品大约有八百万件，其中只有百分之一或是五万件作品会在某个时候公开展示。此外，大英博物馆也是收藏品最广泛且全面的博物馆之一，因为它记录了全球人类文化从开始到现在的历史。然而，现在想要看看自然标本或是书籍及手稿的游客必须分别前往自然历史博物馆和大英图书馆，因为这些收藏品已不再收藏於大英博物馆了。大英博物馆拥有超过三公里的展示空间，里面绝对少不了文化艺术品供人观赏。

答案∶ 1. A 2. C 3. B 4. D 5. C 6. B 7. A