PART B: READING

Reading test part 3,4
PASSAGE 3 — Questions 21-30
Alexander the Great commissioned the city of Alexandria to create a Mediterranean stronghold
in Egypt to rival Rome and cities in Greece. He died before his idea came to fruition, but his
successors built it into one of the greatest cities of the Hellenistic world. The Royal Library of
Alexandria has achieved an almost mythical status among scholars of classical studies. As with
many ancient topics, scholarship on the matter often conflicts and relies heavily on hearsay and
supposition. We will examine the importance of the library during its heyday and how it operated.
As with many ancient landmarks, there is much debate and controversy over Alexandria's
library, especially regarding its destruction. The tale has been retold by countless historians and
attributed to just as many different factions and rulers, not to profile this landmark of education,
but as a tool for political slander. It is estimated that there are over 4000 writings regarding its
destruction, yet very little data exists regarding the structure, layout, organization, administration,
or whereabouts of the complex. The accuracy of the available information is suspect. However, 20
century scholars have reached some general consensus from the remaining sources.
Most historians have come to the conclusion that-the original library (also known as the Temple
of the Muses) was commissioned by Ptolemy I, Alexander's key general. More accurately, it was
commissioned by the Athenian exile Demetrius of Phaleron under ‘Ptolemy I's patronage.
Traditionally it was attributed to his son Ptolemy I. However, it was later shown that Demetrius
was
antagonistic toward Ptolemy II and did not survive for much of his reign. Ptolemy II can be seen as
responsible for the fruition and completion of the library and museum complex. H.G. Wells asserts
that Ptolemy and his son encouraged ‘a blaze of knowledge and discovery at Alexandria’ through
their funding of the library and other endowments.
The library itself was not a ‘library’ in the modern etymology. In fact, the library was essentially
a collection of scholars and scribes encouraged to expand scientific and philosophical wisdom
and
musings brought about because of the ambition and drive of Ptolemy I. It was not the first
institution of its type, developing about a half-century after Plato's Academy and Aristotle's
Lyceum. About 30-50 scholars were probably permanently housed there, fed, and funded, first by
the royal family, and later, according to an early Roman scroll, by public money. It served a
religious, as well as an intellectual, function and it was the centerpiece of a so-called cult of the
muses, governed by a priest.
[A] The library's output was created through observation and deduction in math, medicine,
astronomy, and geometry, the editing of texts and manuscripts, and debating various advances in
Western knowledge. [B] For two or three generations, the scientific output at Alexandria was
considerably good. Its achievements included the introduction of the first steam engine, the first

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star map, and an astoundingly accurate estimate of the Earth's diameter. [C] Famous scholars
employed there included Euclid, Eratosthenes, Apollonius, and Hero. [D]
The library may have consisted of a group of buildings, including lecture halls, study rooms,
dining rooms, gardens, and an astronomical observatory. In organization of the library, it is believed
that, in the time of Ptolemy II, the scrolls were haphazardly stored and grouped by general
category. From the time of Callimachus onwards, they used an early iteration of a subject catalog.
Subject divisions outlined by Callimachus included mathematics, medicine, astronomy, and
geometry, as well as philology. At its peak, it is estimated about 600,000 scrolls were held within
its walls, although that is likely an overstatement.
The Ptolemys achieved their goal of creating the largest collection of its kind by varied and often
forceful means. At the time of its founding, Greek libraries were usually collections of manuscripts
by private individuals. Ptolemy had a vision to collect all accepted literature on all matters scientific,
philosophical and spiritual. The library tried to get copies of all known books and would send
agents far and wide to acquire them. Ptolemy III wrote a letter "to all the world's sovereigns" asking
to borrow their books. On more than a few occasions, scribes made copies and kept the originals.
Supposedly, all ships entering Alexandria's harbor were searched for books to copy.
The Royal Library of Alexandria was created at an ideal time and place in world history. It was
able to combine the deductive techniques of Greek thought toward the learning of other world
cultures. As such, it holds a legendary position among historians as an important center of classical
knowledge. Although much of the story has been buried with time and conflict, the importance
and
significance of its contributions are clear.
Question 21. All of the following sentences express important ideas in the passage EXCEPT ____
A. The library was essentially a collection of scholars and scribes encouraged to expand scientific
and philosophical wisdom.
B. In the time of Callimachus, the scrolls were haphazardly stored and grouped by general
category.
C. It is estimated that there were over 4000 writings about its destruction, yet very little
evidence exists.
D. The library tried to get copies of all known books and would employ several methods of
acquiring them.
22. The word "factions" in the passage is closest in meaning to ____
A. sections B. insubordinates
C. cliques D. conspiracies
23. The word "its" in the passage refers to ____
A. data B. education
C. the Royal Library of Alexandria D. destruction
24. The author mentions "its destruction" in the passage in order to ____
A. introduce the idea that the destruction was caused by natural disaster

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B. illustrate that there are so many arguments surrounding its demise and disappearance
C. indicate the difference between its destruction and other libraries destruction
D. highlight the difference between the library and other historic sites
25. Which of the following best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence
in the passage? Incorrect answer choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out
essential information.
A. Commissioned by Ptolemy I, the Royal Library was a place where people who wanted to learn
gathered to study and record their philosophies.
B. The library was a large building where students gathered to " research and study."
C. Philosophers often visited the library to further their studies.
D. Many people gathered at the Royal Library in Alexandria in order to socialize with their
friends.
26. According to paragraph 6, what was true about the early iteration of a subject catalog?
A. All the books were grouped within two general categories.
B. The books were chosen for their innovation, thematic impact, and popular appeal.
C. The librarians organized the collection of books systematically.
D. The library achieved an astonishing collection and many developments.
27. The word "overstatement" in the passage is closest in meaning to ____
A. estimation B. falsehood
C. exaggeration D. presumption
28. Which of the following can be inferred about the Royal Library from the passage?
A. Most of the manuscripts from the library are preserved in modern museums.
B. Several writings from the library have been scanned and can be viewed on the Internet.
C. Little of the manuscripts contained in the library are in existence today.
D. The library is currently being reconstructed.
29. According to historians, all of the following were true about the Royal Library of Alexandria
EXCEPT ____
A. It probably contained over 600,000 writings.
B. Little is known of its exact location.
C. It was responsible for the first star map.
D. It was the largest and most magnificent library in history.
30. Look at the four squares [_] that indicate where the following sentence can be added to the
passage.
It remained an important intellectual center for over 500 years until numerous fires and other
problems eroded its significance.
Where would the sentence best fit?
A[A] B. [B]
C.[C] D. [D]