单选题 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 and theories are attempts to explain natural phenomena. From these positions the scientist continues to experiment and observe until they are proved or discredited. The exact 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 purposes—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 application of such a practical nature as those directly related to life and death. The discoveries of one hit of information opens the door to the discovery of another. Some discoveries seem so simple that one is amazed they were not made years agog however, one should remember that the construction of the microscope had to precede the discovery of the cell. The host of scientists dedicating their lives to pure science are not apologetic about ignoring the practical side of their discoveries; they know from experience that most knowledge is eventually applied.

单选题 To define science we may simply call it ______.
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】[解析] 本题的依据句是第一段最后一句话“Just to make the explanation as simple as possible, suppose science is defined as classified knowledge (facts).”从中可知D项为正确答案。
单选题 Pure science, leading to the construction of a microscope, ______.
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】[解析] 本题的依据句是最后一段中的“... the construction of the microscope... of the cell”和“they know from experience... eventually applied.”从中可知,科学领先于应用科学,科学知识最终会被应用。因此B项为正确答案。
单选题 A scientist interested in adding to our general knowledge about oxygen would probably call his approach ______.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】[解析] 本题的依据句是第四段中的“... aimed at satisfying curiosity, is referred to as pure science.(旨在满足求知欲的科学方法叫做纯科学)”。因此,增加我们在氧气方面的知识属纯科学的范畴。正确答案为C。
单选题 Which of the following statements does the author imply?
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】[解析] 本题的依据句是最后一段中的“The host of scientists dedicating their lives... ignoring the practical side of their discoveries(意思是纯科学研究的科学家不用为忽视他们研究的应用方面道歉)”。据此可知A项为正确答案。
单选题 The best title for the passage is ______.
【正确答案】 A
【答案解析】[解析] 综观全文,前三段着重讲科学的本质,最后一段着重讲科学家的本质。因此 A项为正确答案。