填空题 A. process B. from C. chemical D. symbolic E. against
F. with G. reaction H. practical I. foreign J. factors
K. experiment L. organizing M. gold N. secrecy O. dangerous
Chemistry did not emerge as a science until after the scientific revolution in the seventeenth century. But 1 knowledge is as old as history, being almost entirely concerned with the practical arts of living. Cooking is essentially a chemical 2 , so is the melting of metals and the administration of drugs. This basic chemical knowledge, which was applied in most cases as a common sense, was actually dependent on previous 3 . It also served to stimulate a fundamental curiosity about the processes themselves.
The development of a scientific approach to chemistry was, however, influenced by several 4 . The most serious problem was the vast range of materials and the difficulty of 5 them into some system. In addition, there were social and intellectual difficulties. Chemistry is nothing if it is not 6 ; yet in many ancient civilizations, practical tasks were primarily the province of a slave population. The thinker or philosopher stood apart from them.
The final problem for early chemical science was the element of 7 . Experts in specific trades had developed their own techniques and guarded their knowledge to prevent others 8 stealing it. Another factor that contributed to secrecy was the previous nature of the knowledge of chemistry. Some people were trying to transform base metals into 9 or were concerned with the hunt for something that would bestow the blessing of eternal life. The records of the chemical processes were often written down in 10 language intelligible to very few or in symbols that were purposely obscure.