Science is a major topic in our culture. Since it touches almost every field of our life, educated people need at least some knowledge with its structure and operation. They should also have an understanding of the scientific subculture in which scientists live and the kinds of people they are. An understanding of general characteristics of science as well as specific scientific ideas is easier to obtain if one knows something about the things that excite and discourage the scientist. This book is written for the person whose knowledge with science is not complete; 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 tricks; and for the person who views the scientists as some sort of magician. The book can be used to add to a course in any science, to come with any course that attempts to give an understanding of the modern world, or simply to provide a better understanding of science. We hope this book will lead readers to a broader view on scientific attitudes and a more realistic view of what science is, who scientists are, and what they do. It will give them an idea and understanding of the relationship between science and our culture and an appreciation of the roles science may play in our culture. Besides, readers may learn to appreciate the relationship between scientific views and some of the values and philosophies that are deep in our culture. We have tried to present in this book a correct and up-to-date picture of the scientific world and the people who populate it. That population has in recent years come to include more and more women. This increasing role of women is not just the only event but, rather, part of the trend obvious in all parts of society, as more women enter traditionally male-controlled fields and make influential contributions. We have also tried to make the book entertaining as well as informative. Our method is usually informal. We feel, as do many other... We need to know something about science because _ . A) scientists have specific scientific ideas B) science affects almost every field of our life C) it is easier to understand general characteristics of science D) it is not easy to understand the things that excite and discourage scientists
B
Rosa Parks was an African-American woman who began the civil rights movement by refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a bus . She what she believed was right , and her courage inspired countless others to do the same. Born in Alabama in 1913 , Mrs. Parks grew up on a farm just outside Montgomery in a town called Pine Level . She was home-schooled until she was 11. She later attended the Industrial School for Girls in Montgomery. She briefly attended the Alabama State Teachers College for Negroes , but had to drop out to take care of her mother and grandmother when they became ill. Mrs. Parks married Raymond Parks in 1932 . He encouraged her to finish her education . This was very uncommon at that time , especially for a woman. Less than 7 percent of African-Americans studied in a high school in the 1930s. Mrs. Parks also succeeded in gaining the right to vote, which was very difficult for blacks under the segregation laws( ) . In 1943, she began working as a secretary for the NAACP----National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Mrs. Parks made her historic decision on December 1,1955. She recalled in her autobiography : "When the driver saw me still sitting, he asked if I was going to stand up and I said , ' No, I'm not.' Then he said , ' Well , if you don't stand up , I'm going to have to call the police and have you arrested .' I said , ' You may do that.'" Mrs. Parks died on October 24,2005. " She sat down in order that we might stand up," said civil rights leaders Jesse Jackson. " Her imprisonment opened the doors for our long journey to freedom." From the passage we can infer that in Rosa Parks' time black people _ . A) were not allowed to take buses B) only stood in the buses C) were looked down upon D) had no right at all
C
Q: The arts, especially music, should be part of every school's lessons at every grade level. Students would be much smarter if they had some musical experience. They could improve their classroom skills, like paying attention and following directions. People develop all these skills when they learn music. Making music also lets children use their imagination. It provides students with a chance to try out their own ideas. Music not only makes children better students, but also gives them something positive to do. In a music program, children can be part of a band instead of joining a gang . Parents can enjoy listening to their children's music instead of seeing them _ a computer or TV screen. In a school band, students get to be part of a team. They can get along well with old friends and make new friends through music. Music builds self-confidence, too. It gives children a sense of achievement and success. Making music is something for them to be proud of, and it lets kids practice performing in front of an audience. Music gives children an opportunity for self-expression, and that helps develop their self-confidence. Once again, music is important because it can make children better students, give them something positive to do, and build their character. That is why music should be offered in every single grade in every school. According to the passage, music could make students smarter by _ . A) improving their classroom skills and paying attention B) improving their classroom skills and imagination C) improving their attention, direction and imagination D) learning music, making music and trying out their own ideas
A: B
Question: After a particularly busy period at work, I decided to get away from it all by going on a hike in the mountains in southern France. Before I left, I read an interesting story in a magazine. It read, "Once, while I was riding on a crowded bus, the man sitting next to me threw his cell phone out of the window when his phone rang. I was surprised. He looked at me, shrugged and looked away. I had no idea whether it was his or stolen or whether he even knew what a cell phone was or not, but he clearly wanted to be free of it, because it clearly troubled him. " Billions of people across the world use cell phones. Though cell phones are a wonderful way for communication, they often do the exact opposite. Using cell phones can increase stress within families and friends. So when I recently returned home, I got rid of my cell phone. Now I go outside without taking my phone with me. I've noticed things in my neighborhood I never noticed before, such as gardens. I've met new people, started conversations with neighbors I didn't speak to before and talked with some of my friends face to face instead of chatting over the phone. Instead of keeping me off from the world, stopping using my cell phone has helped me get even closer to my family and friends. The main purpose of the passage is to _ . A) tell us not to let cell phones control our lives B) encourage others to hike with him in France C) share his experiences in France with us D) teach us how to get along with neighbors
Answer: A
*Question*
As a boy, Mark Twain caused much trouble for his parents. He used to play practical jokes on all his friends and neighbors. The nature of his jokes often led to violence . He hated to go to school and he constantly ran away from home. He always went in the direction of the nearby Mississippi. He liked to sit on the bank of the river for hours at a time and just gaze at the mysterious island and the passing boats. He learned many things about the river during those days. He learned all about its history and unusual people. He later made them part of the history of America in the book Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Mark Twain received his genius from his mother. Obviously he didn't get it from his father. He once stated that he had never seen a smile on his father's face. On the other hand, his mother had the ability to say humorous things. The same ability made Mark Twain an extremely humorous public speaker. According to the passage, Mark Twain was a _ boy. A) shy B) brave C) naughty D) poor
**Answer**
C