WHY do we sometimes struggle with moral dilemmas? Why is it a crime to take certain drugs but it's acceptable to take others? Why is it wrong to create human embryos to cure diseases suffered by millions? Often, we follow rules that bring little benefit and can even be positively harmful. But the rules are not set in stone, so there is nothing to stop us getting rid of those that don't work and putting better ones in their place. Now an experiment suggests that morality isn't entirely about benefits to individuals. We also tend to make and obey arbitrary moral rules, probably as a way of promoting social consolidation . A classic psychology experiment called "trolley experiment" suggests that our minds have two moral systems, and they don't always agree. In the trolley experiment, participants are told that an out-of-control trolley could kill five people on the tracks. They must decide whether to turn it onto a second track with only one person on it. Almost everyone does it, sacrificing one to save five. But if instead you have to push one person off a bridge onto the track to stop the trolley, most people say no. That suggests most of us have a strict rule against killing people directly, even for the greater good. How are such rules formed? Although people with morality appear to _ the act of killing in the bridge experiment, most moral behavior in animals appears focused on outcomes--the death of an individual, say--rather than the death of the majority. When an animal experiences harm to help a , biologists view this as increasing the chances that the animal's genes will survive. Many psychologists think that human moral rules are an extension of this "kin selection". Kurzban of the University of Pennsylvania did the experiment further. Kurzban's team gave volunteers changes of the bridge situation. Volunteers were asked what they would do and whether their actions were morally right. 85% of them said it would be morally wrong to push one person off to save five, whether these people are... According to the passage, the rules of morality are, under some circumstances, _ . A) scientific B) reasonable C) harmful D) flexible
D
(Question)
When the Japanese attacked America's ships at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941,they did it secretly.The makers of the movie Pearl Harbor have behaved differently. The noise about Pearl Harbor,made by Disney,has reached its highest point with its premiere before the movie opens in cinemas across the US at the start of the Memorial Day holiday weekend,a time to recall national heroes who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield. As Ben Affleck is the main star,the movie seems sure to become a success in the United States at least. At almost three hours in length,it promises to be a good old Hollywood movie.There is a love story.Affleck and his co-star,Josh Hartnett,both fall in love with the navy nurse,Kate Beckinsale and,of course,there is much human courage and love of country. It's certain that Disney will be accused of "changing" history.The showing of actual events in a movie always causes arguments. Bits of the story are deliberately not mentioned in the movie.It does not address the theory held by some historians that President Franklin Roosevelt knew about Japan's intention to attack the ships in Pearl Harbor.It is said he did nothing,as he was aware that such a blow would allow him to take America into the Second World War. Japan remains sensitive about being accused of wartime atrocities .And Disney is sensitive about its business in Japan,where it has a theme park. Not all the reviews of the movie have been full of praise.A reviewer for Newsweek,who was given an early preview,acknowledged that the 40-minute sequence showing the attack itself was powerful.The attack comes quite late in the movie,however,and the reviewer was less impressed with the characters and the love story. "Almost every line of the dialogue sounds like it comes from an old movie," the reviewer wrote. From the passage we can infer that the Memorial Day refers to _ . A) the day when the United States was founded B) the day when people honour their ancestors C) a day when people honour those who died in wars D) a day when people celebrate the victories of World War II
(Answer)
C
Suppose you work in a big firm and find English very important for your job because you often deal with foreign businessmen. Now you are looking for a place where you can improve your English, especially your spoken English. Here are some advertisements about English language training from newspapers. You may find the information you need. Global English Centre l General English in all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. l 3-month (700 yuan), 6-month (1,200 yuan) and one-year (2,000 yuan) courses. l Choice of morning or evening classes, 3 hours per day. Mon.~Fri. l Experienced college English teachers. l Close to city centre and bus stops. Tel: 67605272 Add: 105 Zhongshan Road, 100082 Modern Language School l Special courses in English for business, travel, banking, hotel management and office skills. l Small classes (12~16 students) on Sat. & Sun. from 2:00~5:00 p.m. l Native English teachers from Canada and USA. l Language lab and computers supplied. l 3-month course: 1,050 yuan; 6-month course: 1,850 yuan. Write or phone: Modern Language School, 675 Park Road, 100056 Tel: 67353019 The 21st Century English Training Centre l We specialize in effective teaching at all levels. l We offer morning or afternoon classes, both of which last three months and a half at a cost of 800 yuan. l We also have a six-week TOEFL preparation class during winter and summer holidays. l Entrance exams: June 1 and Dec. 1. l Only 15-minute walk from city centre. l Call 67801642 for more information. The International House of English l Three/Six-month English courses for students of all levels at a very low cost: 60 yuan for 12 hours per week, convenient class hours: 9:00~12:00 a.m. and 2:00~5:00 p.m. l A four-month evening programme for developing speaking skills (same cost as day classes). l Well-trained Chinese and foreign teachers with experience in teaching English as a second foreign language. l Free... The 21st Century English Training Centre is different from the other three schools in that _ . A) its teaching quality is better B) it is near to the city centre C) its courses are more advanced D) it requires an entrance examination
D