Reading Passage 2 (Questions 27–34)
In recent decades, digital technologies have become a core component of cultural heritage preservation. Museums, libraries, and research institutions increasingly rely on digital archives to store large collections of historical documents, artworks, and artefacts. Access through digital surrogates rather than direct physical handling reduces deterioration from repeated contact, light exposure, and unstable environmental conditions, extending the lifespan of items.
Digital archiving includes technical processes such as high-resolution scanning, object photography, and structured metadata systems. It plays an important role in organising digital collections. It enables institutions to document attributes such as provenance, physical condition, and historical context, allowing materials to be described and retrieved. Once digitised, items can be stored electronically, duplicated accurately, and distributed without affecting the originals. This allows institutions to maintain multiple secure copies and limits the risk of permanent loss resulting from natural disasters, material decay, or accidental damage. Digitisation is valuable for fragile objects that cannot be examined, transported, or displayed.
Beyond preservation, digital archives substantially extend access to cultural resources. Online platforms allow researchers, students, and the public to consult collections across geographical boundaries, supporting academic research, education, and cross-cultural exchange. Advanced search and retrieval tools facilitate the analysis of large datasets, enabling users to identify patterns, compare records, and locate materials with minimal constraints.
Despite these benefits, the long-term sustainability of digital archives presents persistent challenges. Storage infrastructures and software systems require continual updating to maintain compatibility and data integrity, while evolving file formats necessitate periodic migration. Sustained investment and technical oversight are essential to ensure that digital heritage remains accessible as technologies develop.
(Adapted from UNESCO and British Library publications on digital archiving)
Digital archiving includes technical processes such as high-resolution scanning, object photography, and structured metadata systems. It plays an important role in organising digital collections. It enables institutions to document attributes such as provenance, physical condition, and historical context, allowing materials to be described and retrieved. Once digitised, items can be stored electronically, duplicated accurately, and distributed without affecting the originals. This allows institutions to maintain multiple secure copies and limits the risk of permanent loss resulting from natural disasters, material decay, or accidental damage. Digitisation is valuable for fragile objects that cannot be examined, transported, or displayed.
Beyond preservation, digital archives substantially extend access to cultural resources. Online platforms allow researchers, students, and the public to consult collections across geographical boundaries, supporting academic research, education, and cross-cultural exchange. Advanced search and retrieval tools facilitate the analysis of large datasets, enabling users to identify patterns, compare records, and locate materials with minimal constraints.
Despite these benefits, the long-term sustainability of digital archives presents persistent challenges. Storage infrastructures and software systems require continual updating to maintain compatibility and data integrity, while evolving file formats necessitate periodic migration. Sustained investment and technical oversight are essential to ensure that digital heritage remains accessible as technologies develop.
(Adapted from UNESCO and British Library publications on digital archiving)
Đáp án chính thức: B
Hướng dẫn giải chi tiết
Các phương pháp số hóa như: high-resolution scanning, object photography, structured metadata systems được nhắc ở Paragraph 2. → Chọn B