问答题
For this task, you will write a response to a question about a
reading passage and a lecture. You may take notes, and you may use your notes to
help you write your response. Your response will be scored on the quality of
your writing and on how well you connect the points in the lecture with points
in the reading. Typically, an effective response will have 150 to 225
words. The solution to most problems that societies confront is
a higher level of political sophistication that results from more education.
When people have the facts about the issues, they will be clearer thinkers and
better citizens. Most people depend on broadcast news and print
media for information about current issues. However, in addition to good
information, the media contain rumors, misinformation, and politically motivated
variations on the truth. The most effective remedy for misinformation is fact
checking. If the information people have is incorrect, the corrected facts will
enlighten them. Knowing the truth will help people reject misinformation because
they will have a better understanding of the issues. When
people have all of the available information, they are able to develop
intelligent, informed opinions about issues. People base their opinions on
facts, and the more information they have, the more informed their opinions will
be. Listening to opposing opinions is an important component of being informed.
Therefore, political debate will benefit society by ensuring that citizens
understand all sides of an issue. Accurate information is
necessary for solving the problems societies face. When people feel threatened,
they will search for the truth. Their natural instinct is to seek information
that will help them to make decisions about potential solutions to problems.
They will listen to the opinions of experts and look to their elected officials
for leadership. When the people are well informed, everyone will benefit: the
people, the leaders, and the society as a whole. Now listen to
the recording. When you hear the question, begin your response. You may look at
the reading passage during the writing time. Summarize the
points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they contradict specific
points made in the reading passage.
【正确答案】
【答案解析】[解析]
Now listen to part of a lecture on the topic you just read about.
There's been some interesting research on the power of information. In one study, political scientists found that highly educated thinkers were even less open to new information than less educated people were. So we can't say that education alone is the solution to society's problems.
First, the researchers found that facts don't necessarily have the power to change people's minds. When misinformed people were given the corrected facts in news stories, they seldom changed their minds. In fact, they often became even more strongly set in their beliefs. The facts were not curing the misinformation. These results make it difficult to be optimistic about the effectiveness of fact checking.
Second, in reality, people often base their opinions on their beliefs rather than on facts. Their previous beliefs dictate which facts they choose to accept. People will twist the facts to fit their beliefs. Moreover, beliefs can lead people to accept bad information uncritically just because it strengthens their beliefs. Reinforcement of their beliefs makes people more certain they are right, which makes them less likely to listen to any new information that doesn't fit. So the new information has no effect on their opinions---even when the information is factually correct.
Finally, if people feel threatened or insecure, they will not listen to new information. This is why some politicians benefit from keeping people in a state of fear. The more threatened people feel, the less likely they are to listen to opposing opinions. When people are kept misinformed and afraid, they are easier to control.