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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
1.C
2.B
3.A
4.D
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。
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。
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。
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。
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……
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。
科目:高中英语 来源:2013-2014学年黑龙江省高三下学期第一次高考模拟英语试卷(解析版) 题型:其他题
阅读下面材料,在空白处填入适当的内容(不多于3个单词)或括号内单词的正确形式。
David and Jack are talking about cyber-relationships in their dorm.
David: Jack, you spend a lot of time on the Internet everyday. What do you most frequently use it for?
Jack: I usually surf 1. net, read news and anything I am interested in, check emails or chat with other people. Sometimes I order online too. Maybe I can find a girlfriend online like a fairy tale.
David: Well, I see. That’s 2. you are so stuck to it.
Jack: I know dozens of websites provide dating service. Curiosity and the need for companionship make them a sure-fire business. I recommend that you 3. (try) Baihe.com.
David: To be 4. , I really can’t understand how 5. people depend on that way to make friends. It’s kind of risky.
Jack: Yes, but it’s also one of the easiest and fastest ways to meet new people.
David: Sounds good. But it is full of traps on the Internet, and some people have really 6. (please) experience about online dating.
Jack: It’s true, but some people did find their better-half through online dating.
David: 7. , I won’t try that way to make my girlfriend.
Jack: Don’t be so sure. If you 8. (happen) meet a girl online who is intelligent, kind, honest, and you get a good feeling of her, won’t you have the desire to get to know her 9. person?
David: I won’t have such a chance in the first place, for I never enter the chatroom.
Jack: Maybe 10. man’s meat is another’s poison.
David: That’s right.
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英语 来源:2013-2014学年高考阅读理解全程冲刺训练(1)英语试卷(解析版) 题型:阅读理解
It is hardly surprising that clothing manufacturers(生产商) follow certain uniform standards for various features(特征) of clothes. What seems strange, however, is that the standard adopted for women is the opposite of the one for men. Take a look at the way your clothes button. Men's clothes tend to button from the right, and women's from the left. Considering most of the world's population----men and women----are right-handed, the men's standard would appear to make more sense for women. So why do women's clothes button from the left? History really seems to matter here. Buttons first appeared only on the clothes of the rich in the 17th century, when rich women were dressed by servants. For the mostly right-handed servants, having women's shirts button from the left would be easier. On the other hand, having men's shirts button from the right made sense, too. Most men dressed themselves, and a sword drawn from the left with the right hand would be less likely to get caught in the shirt. Today women are seldom dressed by servants, but buttoning from the left is still the standard for them. Is it interesting? Actually, a standard, once set, resists change. At a time when all women's shirts buttoned from the left, it would have been risky for any single manufacturer to offer women's shirts that buttoned from the right. After all, women had grown so used to shirts which buttoned from the left and would have to develop new habits and skills to switch. Besides, some women might have found it socially awkward to appear in public wearing shirts that buttoned from the right, since anyone who noticed that would believe they were wearing men's shirts.
1. What is surprising about the standard of the clothing industry?
A. It has been followed by the industry for over 400 years.
B. It is different for men's clothing and women's.
C. It woks better with men than with women.
D. It fails to consider right-handed people.
2. What do we know about the rich men in the 17th century?
A. They tended to wear clothes without buttons.
B. They were interested in the historical matters.
C. They were mostly dressed by servants.
D. They drew their swords from the left.
3. Women's clothes still button from the left today because.
A. adopting men's style is improper for women
B. manufacturers should follow standards
C. modern women dress themselves
D. customs are hard to change
4. The passage is mainly developed by.
A. analyzing causes
B. making comparisons
C. examining differences
D. following the time order
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英语 来源:2013-2014学年高考阅读理解全程冲刺训练(15)英语试卷(解析版) 题型:阅读理解
Mass transportation revised the social and economic fabric of the American city in three fundamental ways. It catalyzed physical expansion, it sorted out people and land uses, and it accelerated the inherent instability of urban life. By opening vast areas of unoccupied land for residential expansion, the omnibuses, horse railways, commuter trains, and electric trolleys pulled settled regions outward two to four times more distant form city centers than they were in the premodern era. In 1850, for example, the borders of Boston lay scarcely two miles from the old business district; by the turn of the century the radius extended ten miles. Now those who could afford it could live far removed from the old city center and still commute there for work, shopping, and entertainment. The new accessibility of land around the periphery of almost every major city sparked an explosion of real estate development and fueled what we now know as urban sprawl. Between 1890 and 1920, for example, some 250,000 new residential lots were recorded within the borders of Chicago, most of them located in outlying areas. Over the same period, another 550,000 were plotted outside the city limits but within the metropolitan area. Anxious to take advantage of the possibilities of commuting, real estate developers added 800,000 potential building sites to the Chicago region in just thirty years – lots that could have housed five to six million people.
Of course, many were never occupied; there was always a huge surplus of subdivided, but vacant, land around Chicago and other cities. These excesses underscore a feature of residential expansion related to the growth of mass transportation: urban sprawl was essentially unplanned. It was carried out by thousands of small investors who paid little heed to coordinated land use or to future land users. Those who purchased and prepared land for residential purposes, particularly land near or outside city borders where transit lines and middle-class inhabitants were anticipated, did so to create demand as much as to respond to it. Chicago is a prime example of this process. Real estate subdivision there proceeded much faster than population growth.
1.With which of the following subjects is the passage mainly concerned?
[A] Types of mass transportation.
[B] Instability of urban life.
[C] How supply and demand determine land use.
[D] The effect of mass transportation on urban expansion.
2.Why does the author mention both Boston and Chicago?
[A] To demonstrate positive and negative effects of growth.
[B] To exemplify cities with and without mass transportation.
[C] To show mass transportation changed many cities.
[D] To contrast their rate of growth.
3.According to the passage, what was one disadvantage of residential expansion?
[A] It was expensive.
[B] It happened too slowly.
[C] It was unplanned.
[D] It created a demand for public transportation.
4.The author mentions Chicago in the second paragraph as an example of a city,
[A] that is large.
[B] that is used as a model for land development.
[C] where the development of land exceeded population growth.
[D] with an excellent mass transportation system.
Vocabulary
1.revise 改变
2.fabric 结构
3.catalyze 催化,加速
4.sort out 把……分门别类,拣选
5.omnibus 公共汽车/马车
6.trolley (美)有轨电车,(英)无轨电车
7.periphery 周围,边缘
8.sprawl 建筑物无计划延伸,蔓延,四面八方散开
9.lot 小片土地
10.underscore 强调,在下面划横线
11.transit lines 运输线路
12.subdivision (出售的)小块土地,再划分小区
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英语 来源:2013-2014学年高考阅读理解全程冲刺训练(13)英语试卷(解析版) 题型:阅读理解
How I Turned to Be Optimistic
I began to grow up that winter night when my parents and I were returning from my aunt's house, and my mother said that we might soon be leaving for America. We were on the bus then. I was crying, and some people on the bus were turning around to look at me. I remember that I could not bear the thought of never hearing again the radio program for school children to which I listened every morning.
I do not remember myself crying for this reason again. In fact, I think I cried very little when I was saying goodbye to my friends and relatives. When we were leaving I thought about all the places I was going to see-—the strange and magical places I had known only from books and pictures. The country I was leaving never to come back was hardly in my head then.
The four years that followed taught me the importance of optimism, but the idea did not come to me at once. For the first two years in New York I was really lost—having to study in three schools as a result of family moves. I did not quite know what I was or what I should be. Mother remarried, and things became even more complex for me. Some time passed before my stepfather and I got used to each other. I was often sad, and saw no end to "the hard times."
My responsibilities in the family increased a lot since I knew English better than everyone else at home. I wrote letters, filled out forms, translated at interviews with Immigration officers, took my grandparents to the doctor and translated there, and even discussed telephone bills with company representatives.
From my experiences I have learned one important rule: almost all common troubles eventually go away! Something good is certain to happen in the end when you do not give up, and just wait a little! I believe that my life will turn out all right, even though it will not be that easy.
1.How did the author get to know America?
A. From her relatives. B. From her mother.
C. From books and pictures. D. From radio programs.
2. Upon leaving for America the author felt_______.
A. confused B. excited
C. worried D. amazed
3. For the first two years in New York, the author _________.
A. often lost her way B. did not think about her future
C. studied in three different schools D. got on well with her stepfather
4. What can we learn about the author from Paragraph 4?
A. She worked as a translator.
B. She attended a lot of job interviews.
C. She paid telephone bills for her family.
D She helped her family with her English.
5. The author believes that______.
A. her future will be free from troubles
B. it is difficult to learn to become patient
C. there are more good things than bad things
D. good things will happen if one keeps trying
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英语 来源:2013-2014学年高考第二轮专题复习提分训练专题四形容词和副词英语试卷(解析版) 题型:单项填空
(2013·高考安徽卷)David is ________ animal fur,so he won’t visit anyone who has cats or dogs in the house.
A.curious about B.allergic to
C.satisfied with D.fond of
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英语 来源:2013-2014学年高考第二轮专题复习提分训练专题四形容词和副词英语试卷(解析版) 题型:单项填空
(2013·高考浙江卷)If what your friend comes up with surprises you,don’t reject it immediately._____ ___,imagine that it is true.
A.Thus B.Besides
C.Rather D.Otherwise
查看答案和解析>>
科目:高中英语 来源:2013-2014学年高考第二轮专题复习提分训练专题十并列连词和状语从句英语试卷(解析版) 题型:单项填空
(2013·高考天津卷)________ small,the company has about 1,000 buyers in over 30 countries.
A.As B.If
C.Although D.Once
查看答案和解析>>
湖北省互联网违法和不良信息举报平台 | 网上有害信息举报专区 | 电信诈骗举报专区 | 涉历史虚无主义有害信息举报专区 | 涉企侵权举报专区
违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com