2012年同等学英语冲刺练习及详解7.docVIP

2012年同等学力英语冲刺练习及详解（七） 阅读理解 The word science is heard so often in modern times that almost everybody has some notion of its meaning. On the other hand，its definition is difficult for many people. The meaning of the term is confused，but everyone should understand its meaning and objectives. Just to make the explanation as simple as possible，suppose science is defined as classified knowledge （facts）. Even in the true sciences distinguishing fact from fiction is not always easy. For this reason great care should be taken to distinguish between beliefs and truths. There is no danger as long as a clear difference is made between temporary and proved explanations. For example，hypotheses（假设）and theories are attempts to explain natural phenomena. From these positions the scientist continues to experiment and observe until they are proved or discredited（使不相信）. The exacts status of any explanation should be clearly labeled to avoid confusion. The objectives of science are primarily the discovery and the subsequent understanding of the unknown. Man cannot be satisfied with recognizing that secrets exist in nature or that questions are unanswerable；he must solve them. Toward that end specialists in the field of biology and related fields of interest are directing much of their time and energy. Actually，two basic approaches lead to the discovery of new information. One，aimed at satisfying curiosity，is referred to as pure science. The other is aimed at using knowledge for specific purpose—for instance，improving health，raising standards of living，or creating new consumer products. In this case knowledge is put to economic use. Such an approach is referred to as applied science. Sometimes practical-minded people miss the point of pure science in thinking only of its immediate application for economic rewards. Chemists responsible for many of the discoveries could hardly have anticipated that their findings would one day result in applications of such a practical nature as those di