Question

The Metropolitan Museum of Art unwillingly handed over 363 pieces of gold, silver, precious stones, paintings, and sculptures back to Turkey after a court case. Following increasing demands for the return of artistic objects that were removed decades or centuries ago, some of the world’s leading museums have signed a declaration that they will not hand back the ancient artifacts (器物) to their countries of origin. They say people all over the world have only been able to fully appreciate ancient civilizations because these museums have provided access to these artistic objects. The ancient civilizations would not be so deeply admired today if these ancient artifacts were not so widely available to an international public in major museums throughout Europe and America. For example, Egyptian culture would not have become so well-known if the museums had not put Egyptian mummies on show.

The Britain Museum has not signed the declaration, but say it fully supports it. Over the recent years, it has faced growing pressure to hand back the Elgin Marbles, sculptures taken from the Parthenon in Athens, Greece, in the 19^th century. But the British Museum has said that the Museum is the best possible place for them. “ They must remain here if the museum is to continue to achieve its aim, which is to show the world to the world, ” said the director of the museum.

1. What reason do some museums provide for NOT handing back the ancient objects?

   A. Only in these museums can the objects be fully appreciated by the world.

   B. It is better for those objects to remain at a certain place to be moved around.

   C. They need those well-known ancient objects to attract people from all over the world.

   D. Ancient civilizations can only be admired when they are removed from their home countries.

2. Which of the following is Not mentioned as one of the “ countries of origin” in the article?

   A. Turkey.                     B. Britain.             C. Egypt.             D. Greece.

3. What does the underlined phrase “the world” mean in “show the world to the world”?

   A. The global village.              B. The leading museums.

   C. The ancient civilizations.         D. The international public.

4. The British Museum is ________ to hand back the ancient artifacts to their countries of origin.

   A. ready                   B. desperate        C. unwilling         D. supportive

Answer 1

ABDC