Were the scientists who made these discoveries brighter than today’s? That seems unlikely. A far more reasonable explanation is that fundamental science has already entered a period of diminished returns. “Look, don’t get me wrong,” says Mr. Horgan. “There are lots of important things still to study, and applied science and engineering can go on for ever. I hope we get a cure for cancer, and for mental disease, though there are few real signs of progress.”
66. The sentence “most of the best things have already been located” could mean ______.
A. most of the best things have already been changed
B. most of the best things remain to be changed
C. there have never been so many best things waiting to be discovered
D. most secrets of the world have already been discovered
67. John Horgan ______.
I. has published a book entitled The End of Science
II. has been working as an editor of Scientific American
III. has been working many years as a literary critic
IV. is working as a science writer
A. I and II B. I only
C. I and IV D. I, II and IV
68. There have not been many genuine scientific revolutions in the past few decades because ______.
A. there have been decreased returns in the research of fundamental science
B. there are too many important things for scientists to study
C. applied science and engineering take up too much time and energy
D. today’s scientists are not as intelligent as those in the past
69. The term “the Big Bang” probably refers to ______.
A. the genetic code theory B. a geological theory
C. a theory of the origin of the universe D. the origin and the power of atomic energy
70. The best title of this passage can be ______.
A. Great Scientific Discoveries Will Never Be Possible
B. The Harsh Challenge Has to Be Met by Modern Scientists
C. The State Sponsorship and Scientific Enterprise Are All in Vain
D. The Chance for Great Scientific Discoveries Becomes Scarce
Part IV Cloze (15 minutes, 10 points)
Directions: In this part, there is a passage with twenty blanks. For each blank there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the best answer for each blank and mark the corresponding letter on your ANSWER SHEET with a single line through the center.
