文章大意：这是一篇说明文。当我们参观博物馆时，我们可以看到文化制品——从日常家居用品到珍贵的雕刻品和雕像，让我们得以一窥世界各地不同的文化和社区。然而，围绕这些文物的争议在于，如果这些文物是在殖民时期被盗或被强行带走的，国家是否应该归还这些文物。文章主要说明了西非的贝宁政府与伦敦的大英博物馆谈判，归还他们著名的贝宁青铜器这一文物归还问题。不同的人对此有不同的看法。
2 . Directions: Complete the following passages by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.
A. significant B. collection C. safe D. controversy E. tolerance
F. majority G. restored H. colonized I. diverse J. negotiated K. shared |
When we visit museums, we see cultural artifacts -from everyday household items to precious carvings and statues, that give us glimpses into the 1 cultures and communities from around the world. However, 2 surrounds these artifacts and whether or not countries should return these pieces of culture if they were stolen or forcefully taken during colonization.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, European countries such as Britain, France and the Netherlands had 3 many African and Asian countries. During their rule, they either seized artifacts or took them as spoils of wars, and brought them to their own countries where they are now displayed in museums.
In 2017, the Government of Benin in West Africa 4 with the British Museum in London to return their renowned Benin Bronzes, a 5 of thousands of metal sculptures and plaques, which were previously hung in the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin.
The debate regarding this issue took a turn in 2018 when under President Emmanuel Macron a report was released that directed that all heritage objects brought to French museums (without the permission of their original countries) be 6 . With the official release of this report. museums all across Europe began reconsidering their previous policies on colonial treasures.
Those who propose returning these objects to their original homes argue that with technology enabling virtual museum tours, returning these artifacts to their homeland does not take away the opportunity to learn about them. Furthermore, the country of origin will receive a 7 part of their heritage back, and these artifacts will be given a chance to be truly appreciated under proper historical context. Those against the restoration claim that culture is a 8 treasure and the artifacts are in fact “cultural ambassadors” that promote 9 and understanding They believe that while stealing them was wrong, history is full of “good” and “bad” actors. Moreover, they feel that keeping the cultural objects in the current museums have kept millions of artifacts 10 from disfiguration and damage.
