It is a curious paradox that we think of the physical sciences as “hard”, the social sciences as “soft,” and the biological sciences as somewhere in between. This is interpreted to mean that our knowledge of physical system is more certain than our knowledge of biological systems, and these in turn are more certain than our knowledge of social systems. In terms of our capacity of sample the relevant universes, however, and the probability that our images of these universes are at least approximately correct, one suspects that a reverse order is more reasonable. We are able to sample earth’s social systems with some degree of confidence that we have a reasonable sample of the total universe being investigated. Our knowledge of social systems, therefore, while it is in many ways extremely inaccurate, is not likely to be seriously overturned by new discoveries. Even the folk knowledge in social systems on which ordinary life is based in earning, spending, organizing, marrying, taking part in political activities, fighting and so on, is not very dissimilar from the more sophisticated images of the social system derived form the social sciences, even though it is built upon the very imperfect samples of personal experience.
In contrast, our image of the astronomical universe, or even if earth’s geological history, ca easily be subject to revolutionary changes as new data come in and new theories are worked out. If we define the “security” of our image of various parts of the total system as the probability of their suffering significant changes, then we would reverse the order for hardness and as the most secure, the physical sciences as the least secure, and again the biological sciences as somewhere in between. Our image of the astronomical universe is the least secure of all simply because we observe such a fantastically small sample of it and its record-keeping is trivial records of biological systems. Records of the astronomical universe, despite the fact that we learnt things as they were long age, are limited in the extreme. Even in regard to such a close neighbor as the moon, which we have actually visited, theories about its origin and history are extremely different, contradictory, and hard to choose among. Our knowledge of physical evolution is incomplete and insecure.
1.The word “paradox” (Line 1, Para. 1) means “_____”.
2.Accroding to the author, we should reverse our classification of the physical sciences as “hard” and the social sciences as “soft” because _______.
A.a reverse ordering will help promote the development of the physical sciences B.our knowledge of physical systems is more reliable than that of social systems C.our understanding of the social systems is approximately correct D.we are better able to investigate social phenomena than physical phenomena
3.The author believes that our knowledge of social systems is more secure than that of physical systems because______.
A.it is not based on personal experience B.new discoveries are less likely to occur in social sciences C.it is based on a fairly representative quantity of data D.the records of social systems are more reliable
4.The chances of the physical sciences being subject to great changes are the biggest because _____.
A.contradictory theories keep emerging all the time B.new information is constantly coming in C.the direction of their development is difficult to predict D.our knowledge of the physical world is inaccurate
5.We know less about the astronomical universe than we don about any social system because ______.
A.theories of its origin and history are varied B.our knowledge of it is highly insecure C.only a very small sample of it has been observed D.few scientists are involved in the study of astronomy
第43篇答案：ACDAD
第44篇：(Unit 11, Passage 4)
The promise of finding long-term technological solutions to the problem of world food shortages seems difficult to fulfill. Many innovations that were once heavily supported and publicized have since fallen by the wayside. The proposals themselves were technically feasible, but they proved to be economically unviable and to yield food products culturally unacceptable to their consumers.
One characteristic common to unsuccessful food innovations has been that, even with extensive government support, they often have not been technologically adapted or culturally acceptable to the people for whom they had been developed. A successful new technology, therefore, must fit the entire social cultural system in which it is to find a place. Security of crop yield, practicality of storage, and costs are much more significant than previously been realized by the advocates of new technologies.
The adoption of new food technologies depends on more than these technical and cultural considerations; economic factors and governmental policies also strongly influence the ultimate success of any innovation. Economists in the Anglo-American tradition have taken the lead in investigating the economics of technological innovation. Although they exaggerate in claiming that profitability is the key factor guiding technical change—they completely disregard the substantial effects of culture—they are correct in stressing the importance of profits. Most technological innovations in agriculture can be fully used only by large landowners and are only adopted if these profit-oriented business people believe that the innovation will increase their incomes. Thus, innovations that carry high rewards for big agribusiness groups will be adopted even if they harm segments of the population and reduce the availability of food in a country. Further, should a new technology promise to alter substantially the profits and losses associated with any production system, those with economic power will strive to maintain and improve their own positions. Therefore, although technical advances in food production and processing will perhaps be needed to ensure food availability, meeting food needs will depend much more on equalizing economic power among the various segments of the populations within the developing countries themselves.
1.The passage mentions all of the following as factors important to the success of a new food crop except the ___.
A.practicality of storage of the crop. B.security of the crop yield. C.quality of the crop’s protein. D.cultural acceptability of the crop.
2.The author suggests that, in most emerging countries, extensive government intervention accompanying the introduction of a food innovation will ___.
A.usually be sufficient to guarantee the financial success of the innovation. B.be necessary to ensure that the benefits of the innovation will be spread throughout the society. C.normally occur only when the innovation favors large landowners. D.generally cost the country more than will be earned by the innovation.
3.The first paragraph of the passage best supports which of the following statements?
A.Too much publicity can harm the chances for the success of a new food innovation. B.Innovations that produce culturally acceptable crops will generally be successful. C.A food-product innovation can be technically feasible and still not be economically viable. D.It is difficult to decide whether a food-product innovation has actually been a success.
4.The author provides a sustained argument to uphold which of the following assertions?
A.Profitability is neither necessary nor sufficient for a new technology to be adopted. B.Profitability is the key factor guiding technological change. C.Economic factors and governmental policies strongly influence the ultimate success of any innovation. D.Innovations carrying high rewards for big agribusiness groups harm the poor.
5.The primary purpose of the passage is to discuss the ___.
A.means of assessing the extent of the world food shortage. B.difficulties of applying technological solutions to the problem of food shortages. C.costs of introducing a new food technology into a developing country. D.nature of the new technological innovations in the area of food production.
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