【题目】Many people visit museums when they travel to new places. Why do you think people visit museums? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Why People Visit Museums?

Museums are great repositories of mankind’s historical artifacts and achievements in art. From them we can learn a great deal about the people of the past and their link to the people of the present. We can also learn about cultures other than our own. I believe this last advantage is the main reason many people visit museums when they travel.

When someone chooses to visit a new place, he often does so because he is interested in seeing a different environment and a different way of life. To gain a better understanding of this new culture, many travelers will go to a history or cultural museum. Even those who never visit museums at home may be inspired by the new sights around them and want to find out more. Other people choose to visit museums abroad insgroupsto see things that they cannot see at home. They may have read of famous works of art and look forward to the chance to see them with their own eyes. Still others may have a specific interest, such as butterflies or eighteenth century furniture. It is not possible for every community to support a museum devoted to every field of study, but travelers can take advantage of the opportunity to pursue their interests.

No matter why one travels, the journey often offers the opportunity to visit a new museum. It is an activity that will provide the traveler with a better understanding of the world, no matter what his specific interest is. That is why I think most people choose to visit museums when they travel to a new place.

【译文】

人们为什么要参观博物馆?

博物馆是人类历史文物及艺术成就的伟大宝库。我们可以从中了解到很多与过去的人们有关的事以及他们与现代人之间的关联。我们也可以从中了解其他不同的文化。我认为最后这项优点是许多人旅行时会去参观博物馆的主要原因。

人们选择游览一个新的地方是因为他们对不同的环境以及不同的生活方式感兴趣。为了更加了解这个新的文化，许多游客会去参观历史或文化博物馆。即使是在国内从不去参观博物馆的人，也可能会受到周围景物的启发而想要发掘更多东西。有些人在国外选择参观博物馆是为了要看国内所看不到的东西。他们可能已经阅读过一些著名艺术作品的资料而期待这个可以亲眼目睹的机会。还有些人可能对某些事物有特定的兴趣，如蝴蝶或18世纪的家具。可是并非每个地区都能资助与每一种学术领域有关的博物馆，所以游客就可以利用这个机会去追求自己的兴趣。

无论一个人为了什么而去旅行，旅行常能提供参观新博物馆的机会。这项活动能让旅行者更加了解世界，不管他的特殊兴趣是什么。这就是我认为为什么大部分人到新的地方旅行都会选择参观博物馆的原因。

【注释】

repository n.宝库

artifact n.手工艺品

inspire　v.启发

abroad　adv.在国外

read of读到;获悉

work of art艺术品