单选题
But the success of science, both its intellectual excitement and its practical application, depends upon the self-correcting character of science. There must be a way of testing any valid idea. It must be possible to reproduce any valid experiment. The characters or beliefs of scientists are irrelevant; all that matters is whether the evidence supports their contention. Arguments from authority simply do not count; too many authorities have been mistaken too often. I would like to see these very effective scientific modes of thought communicated by the schools and media; and it would certainly be astonishment and delight to see them introduced into politics. Scientists have been known to change their minds completely and publicly when presented with new evidence or new arguments. I cannot recall the last time a politician displayed a similar openness and willingness to change.
单选题
According to the passage, ______is most essential to scientists" work.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】解析：这是一道细节题。本文第四句话的后半句“all that matters is whether the ev—idence supports their contention”“重要的是证据是否支持他们(科学家)的论点”已经明确说明了在科学家的工作中，证据才是最关键的，因此选择C。
单选题
Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word "valid"(Line 3)?
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】解析：这是一道语意题。本文有两个地方出现“valid”这个词，也就是在文章的第二和第三句中“There must be a way of testing any valid idea． It must be possible to re—produce any valid experiment．”。根据上下文，我们可以推知本文中的“valid”表示“正确的，有效的”。这两句话的意思是：“一定会有证明观点正确的方法。一定有可能复制任何一次正确的实验。”而选项A表示“不可靠的”，选项B表示“错误的”，选项C表示“无关的”，都与上下文不合。