一提到博物館，不少人會想到 “國傢博物館”、“古代歷史博物館”、“藝術博物館” 等常見的字眼。這類規模甚大的博物館內通常陳列著和特定藝術、歷史和文化有關的經典展品。但有一些博物館則不遵循慣例，它們致力於收藏古怪而離奇的展品。幸好每個人的興趣和品味都不同，所以總有那麼一個能激起你的興趣！本集《隨身英語》介紹一些小眾博物館。
Vocabulary: the usual and unusual 詞匯: 尋常的和非同尋常的事物
What comes to mind when you think of a museum? Perhaps you picture an imposing building in a rather traditional design made of high-quality stone? Perhaps you imagine one of the classic concepts, such as the museum of natural history, the museum of fine art, or the national museum – its exhibits displayed in a time-honoured style and falling in line with convention.
Some people might consider these customary institutions the best way to safeguard the future of typical educational topics. A museum of antique breadboards, they may say, does not constitute an orthodox or legitimate exhibition. But according to the Museums Association, a museum is defined as a place enabling “…people to explore collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment.” And so of the 2500 estimated museums in the UK, a few are bound to be considered a little unconventional, eccentric or even niche. No matter how atypical your interest, there’s a museum for you!
What about Neil Cole’s Adventures in Science Fiction? This quirky museum of classic science fiction was opened by founder Neil Cole. Visitors to this Allendale attraction in Northumberland can see items ranging from props used in the AYYBLOG series Dr Who to part of Thor’s costume from the Avengers movie. “Science fiction has become more mainstream so I thought people might want to see this,” says Mr Cole.
If clocks are more to your taste, why not visit the Cuckooland Museum? Set up by brothers Roman and Maz Piekarski, this Cheshire collection of over 600 cuckoo clocks is considered to be the largest of its kind in the world – and all from the Black Forest region in Germany.
Finally, you could visit the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities in London. This offbeat, alternative institution bucks the trend of educating visitors through written explanations alongside its curios. Instead, it displays all of its kooky treasures, which include dodo bones, shrunken heads and a collection of McDonald’s Happy Meal toys, with no explanation at all.
These are just a few examples. There are many more wonderful institutions out there that march to the beat of their own drum. All you have to do is go and find them!
詞匯表
traditional 傳統的
classic 典型的、經典的
time-honoured 由來已久的
convention 慣例
customary 慣有的、傳統的
typical 有代表性的、典型的
orthodox 正統的
unconventional 不同尋常的
eccentric 古怪的
niche 小眾的
atypical 非典型的，不尋常的
mainstream 主流的
offbeat 別具一格的
alternative 另類的
buck the trend 逆勢而行
kooky 怪誕的
march to the beat of your own drum 特立獨行，按自己的風格走
測驗與練習
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. What examples of typical museum titles does the article list?
2. What makes a museum according to the Museums Association?
3. Why did Neil Cole decide to open his museum?
4. In what way is the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities different to many other museums?
5. Which word used in the article means ‘an unusual object’?
2. 請在不參考課文的情況下完成下列練習。選擇一個意思合適的單詞填入句子的空格處。
1. After being asked “How do you do?” the ______ is to reply, “How do you do?”
classic convention customary typical
2. I don’t like pop music. It’s far too ______. I much prefer alternative bands.
time-honoured atypical offbeat mainstream
3. She’s lovely, but a bit ______. At our formal dinner, she dressed up as a vampire!
customary traditional buck the trend quirky
4. Follow your passions, not what society tells you to do. Be yourself and ______ your own drum.
bang play march to the beat of beat to the march of
5. The programme is a little _________ so it doesn’t appeal to everybody.
fall in line customary orthodox niche
答案
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
1. What examples of typical museum titles does the article list?
The article exemplifies ‘the museum of natural history’, ‘the museum of fine art’, and ‘the national museum’.
2. What makes a museum according to the Museums Association?
According to the Museums Association, a museum is defined as a place enabling “…people to explore collections for inspiration, learning and enjoyment.”
3. Why did Neil Cole decide to open his museum?
He says, “Science fiction has become more mainstream so I thought people might want to see this.”
4. In what way is the Viktor Wynd Museum of Curiosities different to many other museums?
It does not accompany its curios with written explanations. In fact, no explanations are given at all.
5. Which word used in the article means ‘an unusual object’?
Curio (This offbeat, alternative institution bucks the trend of educating visitors through written explanations alongside its curios.)
2. 請在不參考課文的情況下完成下列練習。選擇一個意思合適的單詞填入句子的空格處。
1. After being asked “How do you do?” the convention is to reply, “How do you do?”
2. I don’t like pop music. It’s far too mainstream. I much prefer alternative bands.
3. She’s lovely, but a bit quirky. At our formal dinner, she dressed up as a vampire!
4. Follow your passions, not what society tells you to do. Be yourself and march to the beat of your own drum.
5. The programme is a little niche so it doesn’t appeal to everybody.
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