Passage 1
What is the nature of the scientific attitude, the attitude of the man or woman who studies and applies physics, biology, chemistry, geology, engineering, medicine or any other science? We all know that science plays an important role in the societies in which we live. Many people believe, however, that our progress depends on two different aspects of science. The first of these is the application of the machines, products and systems of applied knowledge that scientists and technologists develop. Through technology, science improves the structure of society and helps man to gain increasing control over his environment.
The second aspect is the application by all members of society of the special methods of thought and action that scientists use in their work.
What are these special methods of thinking and acting? First of all, it seems that a successful scientist is full of curiosity—he wants to find out how and why the universe works. He usually directs his attention towards problems which he notices have no satisfactory explanation, and his curiosity makes him look for underlying relationships even if the data available seem to be unconnected. Moreover, he thinks he can improve the existing conditions and enjoys trying to solve the problems which this involves.
He is a good observer, accurate, patient and objective and applies logical thought to the observations he makes. He utilizes the facts he observes to the fullest extent. For example, trained observers obtain a very large amount of information about a star mainly from the accurate analysis of the simple lines that appear in a spectrum.
He is skeptical-he does not accept statements which are not based on the most complete evidence available-and therefore rejects authority as the sole basis for truth. Scientists always check statements and make experiments carefully and objectively to verify them.
Furthermore, he is not only critical of the work of others, but also of his own, since he knows that man is the least reliable of scientific instruments and that a number of factors tend to disturb objective investigation.
Lastly, he is highly imaginative since he often has to look for relationships in data which are not only complex but also frequently incomplete. Furthermore, he needs imagination if he wants to make hypotheses of how processes work and how events take place.
These seem to be some of the ways in which a successful scientist or technologist thinks and acts.
Many people believe that science helps society to progress through ________.
根据文章第一段第三句“Many people believe, however, that our progress depends on two different aspects of science.”可知许多人认为人类的进步离不开科技的两个不同面。故B项为正确答案。
Which of the following statements is INCORRECT about curiosity?
根据文章第三段对好奇心的解释：他使科学家想方设法探究宇宙运行的方式及原因；时常注意未被完 美解释的问题，尽管看上去毫无关联的数据，他也要一探究竟；其次，他相信能够利用纯理论知识或应用 知识来改善现有的条件，并且享受解决问题的过程。故D项为正确答案。
According to the passage, a successful scientist would not ________.
根据文章第五段第一句“He is skeptical-he does not accept statements which are not based on the most complete evidence available-and therefore rejects authority as the sole basis for truth.”可知科学家敢于质疑那些 论据不充分的观点，他无法接受。因此，那真理仅建立在权威的基础上这一观点，他难以认同。故A项为 正确答案。
What does the passage mainly discuss?
根据文章最后一段“These seem to be some of the ways in which a successful scientist or technologist thinks and acts.”这便是科学家的思维模式及行为方式。故C项为正确答案。
What is the author's attitude towards the topic?
通篇来看，作者只是在客观论述科学家的思维模式、行为方式，以及科技促进人类进步的两个方面。 objective客观的。critical批判的。biased有偏见的。unclear不清楚的。故B项为正确答案。