单选题
The interrelationship of science, technology, and
industry is taken for granted today--summed up, not altogether accurately, as
"research and development". Yet historically this widespread faith in the
economic virtues of science is a relatively recent phenomenon, dating back in
the United States about 150 years, and in the Western world as a whole not over
300 years at most. Even in this current era of large scale, intensive research
and development, the interrelationships involved in this process are frequently
misunderstood. Until the coming of the Industrial Revolution, science and
technology evolved for the most part independently of each other. Then as
industrialization became increasingly complicated, the craft techniques of
preindustrial society gradually gave way to a technology based on the systematic
application of scientific knowledge and scientific methods. This changeover
started slowly and progressed unevenly. Until late in the nineteenth century,
only a few industries could use scientific techniques or cared about using them.
The list expanded noticeably after 1870, but even then much of what passed for
the application of science was "engineering science" rather than basic
science. Nevertheless, by the middle of the nineteenth century,
the rapid expansion of scientific knowledge and of public awareness--if not
understanding--of it had created a belief that the advance of science would in
some unspecified manner automatically generate economic benefits. The widespread
and usually uncritical acceptance of this thesis led in mm to the assumption
that the application of science to industrial purposes was a linear process,
starting with fundamental science, then proceeding to applied science or
technology, and through them to industrial use. This is probably the most common
pattern, but it is not invariable. New areas of science have been opened up and
fundamental discoveries made as a result of attempts to solve a specific
technical or economic problem. Conversely, scientists who mainly do basic
research also serve as consultants on projects that apply research in practical
ways. In sum, the science-technology-industry relationship may
flow in several different ways, and the particular channel it will follow
depends on the individual situation. It may at times even be
multidirectional.
单选题
What is the author's main purpose in the passage?
A. To show how technology influenced basic science.
B. To describe the scientific-base of nineteenth-century American
industries
C. To correct misunderstandings about the connections between science,
technology and industry.
D. To argue that basic science has no practical application.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】
单选题
The word "intensive" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to ______.
A. decreased
B. concentrated
C. creative
D. advanced
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】
单选题
Which of the following statements does the passage support?
A. The development of science and industry is now interdependent.
B. Basic scientific research can't generate practical applications.
C. Industries should spend less money on research and development.
D. Science and technology are becoming more separate.
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】
单选题
The understanding of research and development in the late nineteenth
century is based on which of the following statements?
A. Engineering science is not very important.
B. Fundamental science naturally leads to economic benefits.
C. The relationship between research and development should be
criticized.
D. Industrial needs should determine what areas fundamental science focuses
on.
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】
单选题
The word "it" in the line 2, paragraph 2 refers to ______.