While it’s books that make a library, being in lovely surroundings may provide inspiration and help you work a little bit harder. Here are some of the coolest libraries of the world.
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 adults and kids’ libraries, music collections, a Shakespeare Memorial Room, and even a gym room. Gardens crown the roof, while the changing seasons bring variations in the shadows and reflections inside.
National Library of France – Paris, France
The National Library of France, which now contains an astonishing collection of 30 million, dates back to the 14th century and this royal library was set up at the Louvre by King Charles V. The Library was moved to Rue de Richelieu site 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 itself. There are more than just books to be found.
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 sandstone 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-story building with “a layer of transparency”, using a skin of glass and metal. The finished article houses about 1.45 million 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 America’s 150 favorite buildings in 2007.
1.Which of the following library has the longest history?
A. Library of Birmingham B. National Library of France
C. State Library of New South Wales D. Seattle Central Library
2.What can you do in Library of Birmingham?
A. Attend a concert. B. Act a play.
C. Take some exercise. D. Enjoy new technology.
3.What do 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.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What is the speaker mainly talking about?
A. A measure to deal with being overweight.
B. A school to offer cooking lessons.
C. A way to set up cookery clubs.
2.What do we know about the cooking lessons?
A. They will be given in primary schools.
B. They will be provided one hour a week.
C. They will last for the whole school year.
3.Why are schools setting up“Let’s Get Cooking”clubs?
A. To teach children to cook healthy food.
B. To train more cookery teachers for schools.
C. To help students remember simple recipes.
4.What does the government promise to do?
A. Buy the equipment. B. Build new kitchens. C. Help poor students.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How many hours does Tom work every Saturday?
A. Five. B. Six. C. Nine.
2.What does Tom basically do?
A. He offers advice to customers.
B. He buys products for customers.
C. He takes the money from customers,.
3.What is the most difficult for Tom?
A. To work long hours. B. To talk all the time. C. To know about all the products.
4.What does Tom like most about his job?
A. Meeting different people.
B. Using the latest computers.
C. Getting close to new technology.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is the woman’s favorite subject?
A. Spanish. B. Art. C. History.
2.What is the woman planning to do straight after leaving school?
A. Work as a journalist. B. Start university. C. Go travelling.
3.How does the woman feel about her future career?
A. Hesitant. B. Certain. C. Hopeless.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.When will Sophie go to Florida?
A. On June 30th. B. On June 28th. C. On June 26th.
2.What is Sophie going to do in Orlando?
A. Visit theme parks. B. Go to a nature reserve. C. Go camping.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.Where does the conversation probably take place?
A. At an airport. B. At home. C. At a restaurant.
2.What is the man dissatisfied with about the flight?
A. The service. B. The movie. C. The food.
