12．World's Wonderful Libraries
How cool can libraries be in an era of iPods and Kindles More than you think．Only if you know where to go．
Central Library
The Central Library in Seattle is modern and fashionable and has tourists from around the world paying visits and taking tours．It was designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and American designer Joshua Ramus．Tours began in 2006，two years after its opening．
The library holds various art exhibitions，book signings and other events throughout the year．
Open：Monday-Thursday 10 a．m-8 p．m，Friday-Saturday 10 a．m-6 p．m，Sunday noon-6 p．m
Trinity College Library
The Trinity College Library in Dublin is the oldest library in Ireland，founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I．
Not only is the exterior impressive，it boasts the largest single chamber library in the world，also known as the Long Room，which contains more than 200，000 of the library's oldest books．
Various exhibitions and tour are available； admission 9（US 12）
Open：Monday-Wednesday 9：30 a．m-5 p．m，Thursday 9：30 a．m-9 p．m，Saturday 9：30 a．m-1 p．m，Sunday closed．
Bibliotheca Alexamdrina
The Bibliotheca Alexamdrina is the revival（复兴） of the ancient Royal Library of Alexandria，which was the largest and most influential library in the Greek world．It was built by Alexander the Great some 2，300 years ago．
The new library was reborn in 2002 on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea after 10 years of designing，planning and construction．
Along with the standard libraries，there are four museums covering science，Arabic Calligraphy，the history of printing and the Greek art．
Open：Saturday-Thursday 9 a．m-4 p．m．
Stuttgart City Library
The Stuttgart City Library is controversial．Some say it's innovative，while others say it doesn't match its environment．
Nevertheless，the library is one of the most interesting buildings in Germany．The design of the cubic facility was influenced by the ancient Pantheon in Rome．It serves as a multi-story meeting space that draws natural sunlight through the roof．
Open：Monday-Saturday 9 a．m--9 p．m
21．Which of the following libraries are open on Friday？A
A．Central Library and Bibliotheca Alexandrina
B．Stuttgart City Library and Central Library
C．Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Trinity College Library
D．Trinity College Library and Stuttgart City Library
22．Suppose you are visiting Trinity College Library，you can enjoyAthere．
A．free exhibitions
B．the oldest Greek art
C．reading the world's oldest books
D．reading in the Long Room
23．What is special about the Bibliotheca Alexandrina？A
A．It took 10 years to rebuild
B．It is the most influential library in the world
C．It has four museums covering all sorts of art
D．It used to be an ancient royal British library．
分析 在iPods和电子阅读器Kindles盛行的今天，图书馆仍然有着它独特的吸引力．在本文中作者介绍了四个世界上设计独特的图书馆．
解答 21．A．细节理解题．Central Library中的开放时间 Friday-Saturday 10 a．m-6 p．m和 Bibliotheca Alexandrina 的开放时间Saturday-Thursday 9 a．m-4 p．m可知它们开放时间都包含周五，故选A．
22．A．细节理解题．根据Trinity College Library中的Various exhibitions and tour are available，这里提供免费的展览和旅游，故选A．
23．A．细节推理题．根据Bibliotheca Alexandrina中的The new library was reborn in 2002 on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea after 10 years of designing，planning and construction，经过10年的设计、规划和建设，新的图书馆于2002年在地中海的海岸上获得了重生．故选A．
点评 本篇阅读篇幅较长，需要考生掌握全文的大意之后，细细阅读每篇材料后的问题，弄清每题要求后，带着问题，再回到原文中去寻找、捕获有关信息，做到详略结合阅读．
