Science is a dominant theme in our culture. Since it touches almost every facet

Science is a dominant theme in our culture. Since it touches almost every facet

题型:不详难度:来源:
Science is a dominant theme in our culture. Since it touches almost every facet of our life, educated people need at least some acquaintance with its structure and operation. They should also have an understanding of the subculture in which scientists live and the kinds of people they are. An understanding of general characteristics of science as well as specific scientific concepts is easier to attain if one knows something about the things that excite and frustrate the scientist.
This book is written for the intelligent student or lay person whose acquaintance with science is superficial; for the person who has been presented with science as a musty storehouse of dried facts; for the person who sees the chief objective of science as the production of gadgets; and for the person who views the scientists as some sort of magician. The book can be used to supplement a course in any science, to accompany any course that attempts to give an understanding of the modern world, or – independently of any course – simply to provide a better understanding of science. We hope this book will lead readers to a broader perspective on scientific attitudes and a more realistic view of what science is, who scientists are, and what they do. It will give them an awareness and understanding of the relationship between science and our culture and an appreciation of the roles science may play in our culture. In addition, readers may learn to appreciate the relationship between scientific views and some of the values and philosophies that are pervasive in our culture.
We have tried to present in this book an accurate and up-to-date picture of the scientific community and the people who populate it. That population has in recent years come to comprise more and more women. This increasing role of women in the scientific subculture is not an unique incident but, rather, part of the trend evident in all segments of society as more women enter traditionally male-dominated fields and make significant contributions. In discussing these changes and contribution, however, we are faced with a language that is implicitly sexist, one that uses male nouns or pronouns in referring to unspecified individuals. To offset this built-in bias, we have adopted the policy of using plural nouns and pronouns whenever possible and, when absolutely necessary, alternating he and she. This policy is far form being ideal, but it is at least an acknowledgment of the inadequacy of our language in treating half of the human race equally.
We have also tried to make the book entertaining as well as informative. Our approach is usually informal. We feel, as do many other scientists, that we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously. As the reader may observe, we see science as a delightful pastime rather than as a grim and dreary way to earn a living.
小题1:According to the passage, ‘scientific subculture’ means
[A] cultural groups that are formed by scientists.
people whose knowledge of science is very limited.
[C] the scientific community.
[D] people who make good contribution to science.
小题2:We need to know something about the structure and operation of science because
[A] it is not easy to understand the things that excite and frustrate scientists.
Science affects almost every aspect of our life.
[C] Scientists live in a specific subculture.
[D] It is easier to understand general characteristics of science.
小题3:The book mentioned in this passage is written for readers who
[A] are intelligent college students and lay person who do not know much about science.
are good at producing various gadgets.
[C] work in a storehouse of dried facts.
[D] want to have a superficial understanding of science.
小题4:According to this passage,
[A] English is a sexist language.
only in the scientific world is the role of women increasing rapidly.
[C] women are making significant contributions to eliminating the inadequacy of our language.
[D] male nouns or pronouns should not be used to refer to scientists.
小题5:This passage most probably is
[A] a book review.
the preface of a book.
[C] the postscript of a book.
[D] the concluding part of a book.
Vocabulary
subculture       亚文化群(指在一个社会或一种文化内具有独特性的一群人)
superficial    肤浅的,浅薄的,表面的   
lay person       外行,门外汉,俗人
musty       发毒的,老朽的,陈腐的
gadget       小玩意儿,小配件,新发明
pervasive       渗透的,弥漫的,遍布的
populate       居住于……中,在……中占一席之地
implicit       含蓄的,内含的
unspecified    未特别提出的
offset       抵消,补偿
答案

小题1:C
小题2:B
小题3:A
小题4:D
小题5:B
解析

难句译注
An understanding of general characteristics of science as well as specific scientific concepts is easier to attain if one knows something about the things that excite and frustrate the scientist.
【参考译文】如果一个人知道那些使科学家激动不已和灰心丧气的东西,那就比较容易了解科学的一般(普遍)特征以及特殊科学概念。
We hope this book will lead readers to a broader perspective on scientific attitude and a more realistic view of what science is, who scientists are and what they do.
【参考译文】我们希望这本书能引导读者对科学观念有一个更为广阔的透视;对什么是科学、科学家是些什么人以及他们在干什么有一个更为现实的观点。
In addition, readers may learn to appreciate the relationship between scientific views and some of the values and philosophies that are pervasive in our culture.
【参考译文】另外,读者可学会正确评价科学观点与我们文化中无处不在的某些价值观和哲学思想之间的关系。
This increasing role of women in the scientific subculture is not an unique incident but, rather, part of the trend evident in all segments of society as more women enter traditionally male-dominated fields and make significant contributions.
【参考译文】科学亚文化群中妇女作用越来越大。这不是难得一见的意外事件,而是,确切地说,在社会各部门显著潮流的一部分由于越来越多妇女进入了传统上为男子统治的领域并作出了重大的贡献。
This policy is far from being ideal, but it is at least an acknowledgement of the inadequacy of our language in treating half of human race equally.
【参考译文】这一策略并不理想,但它至少承认了一个事实,那就是在平等对待人类另一半上,我们的语言功能还不全。
写作方法与文章大意
这是一篇书的序言,作者用夹叙夹议的写作方法介绍了书的涉及面及其功能。
首先提出科学是我们文化的重大主题,但人们也该了解科学家生活的亚文化群,只有懂得一些激励和挫伤科学家的种种情况,才能理解科学的一般特征及其特殊概念。
第二方面指出书的读者对象是对科学一知半解的学生及门外汉。书可作理工科课程的辅助(补充)读物,又可独立自成体系。它可开阔人们科学的视野,真正了解科学、科学家及其工作,理解科学和文化的关系,科学观点和哲学的关系。
第三方面指出亚文化群中妇女增多,贡献巨大,而我们的语言却隐含这性别的歧视,难以充分平等地反映妇女。
最后指出书信息量大又具娱乐性,寓教于乐。
小题1:C 科学社区。答案在第一段第二句,人们也该了解科学家生活在其中的亚文化群以及他们是什么样的人。第三段又讲到,有关科学社区的画面以及妇女对科学亚文化的贡献。可见科学社区即亚文化。
A. 科学家所组成种种文化群体。 B. 科学知识有限的一些人。 C.  对科学作出很大贡献的人。
小题2:B 因为科学几乎影响到我们生活的各个方面。文章开综明旨点出:科学是我们文化中的重要主题,由于它几乎涉及到我们生活的每一方面,有知识的人至少需要熟悉一些结构和作用。
小题3:A. 了解激发和挫伤科学家的事情可不太容易。(比较难) C. 科学家生活在特定的亚文化群中。D. 了解科学的一般特性比较容易。
A 不太了解科学的大学生或门外汉。第二段首句就点出了这本书为对科学一知半解的大学生和门外汉所写,为某些人,一直把科学看作干巴巴的事实堆砌的发霉的石屋的人;为那种把科学的主要目的视为生产小配件的人;为那些把科学视为某种魔术的人而写。这说明主要为A项人所写,对科学了解不多的大学生和普通人。
B. 善于生产各种小配件。 C. 在干巴巴的事实堆砌的石屋中工作。 D. 相对科学有肤浅了解的人。
小题4:D 不应当用阳性的名词和代词去指科学家。第三段集中讲了这本书提供精确而又现代的有关科学社区(社会)和居住在其中的人的画卷。近年来,越来越多的妇女包括进来,原因是许多妇女进入传统上为男人统治的领域,并作出巨大贡献,所以妇女在科学亚文化群中的增多并不是罕见的偶然事件,而是社会各部门明显趋势的组成部分。在讨论其变化和贡献时,我们面临着隐含性别歧视的语言――用阳性名词和代词来指未指定人物,为了消除这种偏颇,我们在可能和必要时采用了复数名词和代词来取代他或她。
A. 英语是一种性别语言。 B. 只有在科学领域中,妇女的作用增长很快。 C. 妇女在晓民我们语言中的不适当性作出了巨大的贡献。根据此题注释说明这三项都不对。英语不能说成是有性别的语言,其中虽有些词性表示男性或女性。文内明确指科学界妇女增多是整个社会的趋势的组成部分。由于妇女在科学界的贡献,所以不能再用阳性名词或代词去指科学界,并不是在消灭语言……
小题5:B 书的前言,见文章大意。
A. 书的评论。 C. 书跋、书的附录。 D. 书的结论部分。
举一反三
  It looked like a typical business meeting. Six men, neatly dressed in white shirts and ties filed into the boardroom of a small Jakarta company and sat down at a long table. But instead of consulting files or hearing reports, they closed their eyes and began to meditate, consulting the spirits of ancient Javanese kings. Mysticism touches almost every aspect of life in Indonesia and business is no exception. One of the meditators said his weekly meditation sessions are aimed mainly at bringing the peace of mind that makes for good decision-making. But the insight gained from mystic communication with spirits of wise kings has also helped boost the profits of his five companies.
Mysticism and profits have come together since the 13th century introduction of Islam to Indonesia by Indian Moslem merchants. Those devout traders, called ‘Wali Ullah’ or ‘those close to God, ’ energetically spread both trade and religion by adapting their appeals to the native mysticism of Java. Legends attribute magic power of foreknowledge to the Wali Ullah. These powers were believed to be gained through meditation and fasting.
Businessman Hadisiko said his group fasts and meditates all night every Thursday to become closer to God and to contact the spirits of the great men of the past. ‘If we want to employ someone at the managerial level, we meditate together and often the message comes that this man can’t hole onto money or he is untrustworthy. Or maybe the spirits will tell us he should be hired.’  Hadiziko hastened to add that his companies also hold modern personnel management systems and that formal qualifications are essential for a candidate even to be considered. Perspective investments also are considered through mystic meditation. ‘With the mind relaxed and open, it is easier to be objective in judging the risk of a new venture. Meditation and contact with the wisdom of the old leaders sharpens your own insight and intuition. Then you have to apply that intuition to the information you have and work hard to be successful. ’ Mystic meditation helped reverse a business slide his companies experienced in the mid-1980. Operating with normal business procedures, he lost more than $ 3 millions in that year alone. Meditation brought back his peace of mind. Putting the right persons in the right jobs and gaining confidence in his business decisions were the keys to a turning around that has brought expansion and profitability. The mysticism in Handspike’s boardroom is part of a growing movement in Indonesia called Kebatinan – the ‘search for the inner self.’
One of his managers, Yusuf Soemado, who studied business administration at Harvard University, compared the idea of mystic management to western system of positive thinking. ‘Willpower and subconscious mind are recognized as important factors in business. Such approaches as psycho-cybernetics, Carnegie’s think and growth rates, or the power of positive thinking are western attempts to tap the same higher intelligence that we contact through meditation,’ he said.
小题1:What is the most important factor in their doing business?
[A] Mysticism.
Religion.
[C] Meditation.
[D] Investment.
小题2:Whom do they consult?
[A] The spirits of ancient Javanese kings.
Wali Ullah.
[C] Old Kings.
[D] Carnegie.
小题3:Why did Hadisike hasten to add ‘his companies also hold modern personnel management systems…’?
[A] He thought Mysticism was not so good as expected.
To show they too focused on qualifications.
[C] To show they hired qualified persons.
[D] To show the possibility of combination of the scientific management with religion.
小题4:According to the passage, the function of the meditation is
[A] to gain profit from the god.
to gain peace of mind to make decision.
[C] to gain foreknowledge.
[D] to gain objective conclusion.
小题5:What does ‘operating with normal business procedures’ refer to?
[A] Adopting the western way of doing business.
Ordinary way of doing business without meditation and fasting.
[C] Contact with God.
[D] Putting right persons in the right jobs.
Vocabulary
file into          鱼贯而入,排队进去
Jakarta          雅加达
meditate          沉思,冥想,反省
Java          爪哇
Javanese          爪哇的
mysticism          神秘主义
boost          促进,增加,提高
devout          虔诚的,热诚的
appeal (to)       向……呼吁,求助于,魅力
legend          传说,神话
fasting          禁食,斋戒
hold onto          抓紧,保住
personnel management system    人事管理制度
perspective investment    远景投资
venture          (商业)投机,风险
sharpen          使……敏锐/尖锐,磨尖
business slide       买卖/企业滑坡,下滑
turn around       (生意)好转,转变
subconscious       下意识的,潜意识的
cybernetics       控制论
Carnegie          卡耐基
tap          开拓,选择
题型:不详难度:| 查看答案
The way we do things round here
Some years ago, I was hired by an American bank. I received a letter from the head of the Personnel Department that started, “Dear John, I am quite pleased that you have decided to join us.” That “quite” saddened me. I thought he was saying “We’re kind of pleased you decided to join us although I wish we had hired someone else.” Then I discovered that in American English “quite” sometimes means “very”, while in British English it means “fairly”.
So the first lesson about working in other countries is to learn the language and by that I don’t just mean the words people speak. It is body language, dress, manners, ideas and so on. The way people do things highlights many of the differences we see between cultures.
Some of these differences may be only on the surface--- dress, food and hours of work--- while others may be deeper and take longer to deal with. Mostly, it is just a question of getting used to the differences and accepting them, like the climate (气候), while getting on with business.
Some of the differences may be an improvement. People are more polite; the service is better; you ask for something to be done and it happens without having to ask again. However, other differences can be troubling, like punctuality (准时). If you invite people to a party at 7 o’clock your guests will consider it polite to turn up exactly on time in Germany, five minutes early in the American Midwest, an hour early in Japan, 15 minutes afterwards in the UK, up to an hour afterwards in Italy and some time in the evening in Greece. I prefer not to use the word “late” because there is nothing wrong with the times people arrive. It is simply the accepted thing to do in their own country.
小题1:The author was unhappy as mentioned in Paragraph 1 because he thought _____.
A.the American bank didn’t think much of him
B.the American bank might hire another person
C.it’s difficult to get used to American culture
D.it’s easy to misunderstand Americans
小题2:The word “highlights” in Paragraph 2 probably means _______.
A.encouragesB.helps to narrowC.increasesD.draws attention to
小题3:According to the author, what should we do with most cultural differences?
A.Ask the native people for help.B.Understand and accept them.
C.Do things in our own way.D.Do in-depth research.
小题4:When invited to a party the people who are usually punctual(准时的)are ______.
A.ItaliansB.GermansC.GreeksD.the British

题型:不详难度:| 查看答案
This may be music to your ears.
Researchers P. Jason Rentfrow and Samuel Gosling gave 3,500 people a personality quiz. Then they asked them to name their favorite kind of music. “We found that the musical style people like are closely linked to their personalities,” Gosling says.
RAP/HIP-HOP
Known for their quick speech, some rappers can say more than 700 syllables (音节) a minute!
If you like rap/hip-hop, you are energetic and have a way with words. You put a fresh spin on things, whether it’s new moves on the dance floor or your hip style.
CLASSLCAL
In the 18th century, classical musicians were like rock stars. Beethoven and Mozart, for example, played in packed concert halls.
If you like classical, you are open to new ideas and like debating with friends. Creative and imaginative, you can easily spend many hours scrapbooking, writing or painting.
COUNTRY
Country music came from the folk songs of English, Scottish, and Irish settlers of the southeastern United States.
If you like country, you express your opinions well, which makes you the ideal class president or team captain. Traditional and loyal, you enjoy spending time with your family.
POP
Pop music is designed to appeal to (吸引) almost everyone, and it does. Each year, the industry brings in about 30 billion dollars!
If you like pop, you are attractive to your friends. You can make big things happen, like planning for a huge party or inspiring your team to victory.
ROCK
In the 1950s, rock music created a brand-new culture. Teenagers, for the first time, had an identity separate from adults and children.
If you like rock, you are a risk-taker who never accepts no for an answer. You rise to any challenge, like doing very well in a big exam or landing the lead in the school play.
If these personality profiles don’t match you, that’s OK. These are just for fun.
小题1:What does the underlined part “You put a fresh spin on things” mean in the passage?
A.You can express your idea in a clever way that makes it seem better than it really is.
B.You have the ability to attract others’ attention.
C.You are always willing to communicate with others.
D.You are willing to express your thoughts to others all the time.
小题2:If you like pop music,           .
A.you are traditional and prefer to stay with your family
B.you are easy to accept new ideas
C.you are welcome and your friends all like to be with you
D.you have a quick speech and can say 30 words in a minute
小题3:We can know from this passage that           .
A.in the 18th century, classical musicians were like pop stars
B.country music came from the old songs of the Native Americans
C.pop music is liked by the largest number of people in the world
D.everyone can find his personality in this passage
小题4:What’s the main idea of the passage?
A.When music came into being.
B.What your favorite music says about you.
C.Some basic information about music.
D.How to like music.

题型:不详难度:| 查看答案
It is hard to imagine that such a small country,the size of Indiana with the population of Alaska,tucked in the Himalaya Mountains,accessible only by two airplanes,is the “Happiest Country’’ in the world and has one of the fastest growing GDP’S in the world.This country is Bhutan,“Land of the Thunder Dragon”,which is located in South Asia and is encompassed by India,China,and Nepal.
Bhutan is the last standing Buddhist Kingdom in the World and,until recently,has preserved much of their culture since the l7th century by avoiding globalization and staying isolated from the world.Internet,television,and western dress were banned from the country up until ten years ago.Over the past ten years globalization has begun to change in Bhutan,but things remain perfectly balanced.
Bhutan is the only country in the world that has a ‘GNH’,which refers to “Gross National Happiness.’’The process of measuring GNH began when Bhutan opened up to globalization.It measures people’s quality of life,and makes sure that “material and spiritual development happen together.”Bhutan has done an amazing job of finding this balance.Bhutan has continually been ranked as the happiest country in all of Asia,and the eighth Happiest Country in the world according to Business Week.In 2007,Bhutan had the second fastest growing GDP in the world,at the same time as maintaining their environment and cultural identity.
In 2008,in Bhutan’s first democratic election,28-year-old Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wang Chuck was elected president of Bhutan.He promises to “maintain a stance (立场)of protection against the worst aspects of globalization,maintaining the ‘Gross National Happiness’.”But Jigme himself is no stranger to globalization.He attended high school at Phillips Academy and university at Wheaton College and then graduated from Oxford.
小题1:The underlined word “encompassed’’ in the first paragraph most probably means __________ .
A.coveredB.surrounded
C.separatedD.guarded
小题2:Why is Bhutan regarded as “the happiest country”?
A.Because it changes its policy and begins to open up.
B.Because it uses “GNH” to measure its achievement.
C.Because it stresses both material and spiritual development.
D.Because it has the second fastest growing GDP in the world.
小题3:What Can we infer from the last paragraph?
A.The election in Bhutan is far from satisfactory.
B.Globalization has influenced Bhutan’s religion.
C.Jigme’s educational background will cause distrust.
D.People in Bhutan will continue living a happy life.
小题4:Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?
题型:不详难度:| 查看答案
How words came into being is unknown. All we assume(推测)is that some early men invented certain sounds, in one way or another, to express thoughts and feelings, actions and things, so that they could talk with each other. Later they agreed upon certain signs, called letters, which could be put together to show those sounds, and which could be written down. Those sounds, whether spoken or written in letters, are called words.
The power of words, then, lies in their associations - the things they bring up to our minds. Words become filled with meaning for us by experience; and the longer we live, the more certain words bring back to us the happy and sad events of our past; and the more we read and learn, the more the number of words that mean something to us increases.
Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words which have powerful effects on our minds and feelings. This clever use of words is what we call literary style(文体). Above all, the real poet is a master of words. He can express his meaning in words which sing like music and which by their position and association can move men to tears. We should therefore learn to choose our words carefully and use them correctly, or they will make our speech silly and common.
小题1:We learn from the text that language might have begun with           
A.actionsB.expressionsC.soundsD.signs
小题2:What is mainly discussed in Paragraph 2?
A.The relation of human experience with words.
B.The gradual change and development of words.
C.The learning of new words.
D.The importance of old words.
小题3:In the last paragraph, what does the author suggest that we should do?
A.Associate with listeners.B.Make musical speeches.
C.Learn poems by heart.D.Use words skillfully.

题型:不详难度:| 查看答案
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