Museums are places where collections of objects are preserved and displayed. The objects may be anyt

hing found in nature or made by man. There are museums devoted to art, science, history, industry, and technology. But museums are no longer just storehouses for collections. Today nearly all museums, large or small, carry on educational programs. Museums offer guided tours, lectures, films, music recitals (独唱的), art lessons, and other attractions.

Museums work constantly to improve their collections and ways of displaying them. All museums are always on the watch for new additions to their collections. Works of art are bought from art dealers and private collectors or at auction (拍卖) sales. Museums also accept gifts and bequests (遗物), but the large museums no longer accept everything that is offered to them. They accept only objects or collections that meet their high standards.

What is to be gained from visiting museums？ Museum exhibits can teach us about the world in which we live--the materials it is made of, the trees and plants that cover it, and the animals that have lived on it since its beginning. We can learn about the activities of man--his history and development and his accomplishments in arts and crafts.