Science is a dominant theme in our culture. Since it touches almost every facet of our life, educated people need at least some acquaintance with its structure and operation. They should also have an understanding of the subculture in which scientists live and the kinds of people they are. An understanding of general characteristics of science as well as specific scientific concepts is easier to attain if one knows something about the things that excite and frustrate the scientists.
This book is written for the intelligent student of lay person whose acquaintance with science is superficial; for the person who has been presented with science as a musty storehouse of dried facts; for the person who has been presented with science as the production of gadgets; and for the person who views the scientists as some sort of magicians. The book can be used to supplement a course in any science, to accompany any course that attempts to give an understanding of the modern world, or independently of any course—simply to provide a better understanding of science. We hope this book will lead readers to a broader perspective on scientific attitudes and a more realistic view of what science is, who scientists are, and what they do. It will give them an awareness and understanding of the relationship between science and our culture and an appreciation of the roles science may play in our culture. In addition, readers may learn to appreciate the relationship between scientific views and some of the values and philosophies that are pervasive in our culture.
We have tried to present in this book an accurate and up-to-date picture of the scientific community and the people who populated it. That population has in recent years come to comprise more and more women. This increasing role of women in the scientific subculture is not a unique incident but, rather, part of the trend evident in all segments of society as more women enter traditionally male-dominated fields and make significant contribution. In discussing these changes and contribution, however, we are faced with a language that is implicitly sexist, one that uses male nouns or pronouns in referring to unspecified individuals. To offset this built-in bias, we have adopted the policy of using plural nouns and pronouns whenever possible and, when absolutely necessary, alternating he and she. This policy is far from being ideal, but it is at least an acknowledgment of the inadequacy of our language in treating half of the human equally.
We have also tried to make the book entertaining as well as informative. Our approach is usually informal. We feel, as many other scientists do, that we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously. As the reader may observe, we see science as a delightful pastime than as a grim and dreary way to earn a living.
1.According to the passage, "scientific subculture" means _______.
A.cultural groups that are formed by scientists
B.people whose knowledge of science is very limited
C.the scientific community
D.people who make good contribution to science
2.We need to know something about the structure and operation of science because _______.
A.it is not easy to understand the things that excite and frustrate science
B.science affects almost every aspect of our life
C.scientists live in a specific substructure
D.it is easier to understand general characteristics of science
3.The book mentioned in this passage is written for readers who _______.
A.long for deeper understanding of science
B.are good at producing various gadgets
C.work in a storehouse of dried facts
D.are interested in popular science
4.According to this passage, _______.
A.English is a sexist language
B.only in the scientific world is the role of women increasing rapidly
C.women are making significant contribution to eliminating the inadequacy of our language
D.male nouns or pronouns should not be used to refer to scientists
5.This passage most probably is _______.
A.a book review B.the preface of a book
C.the postscript of a book D.the concluding part of a book
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1.【答案】C。
【解析】本题可参照第一段第二句和第三段第一句，即受教育也应该熟悉科学家所处的亚文化群体（subculture）以及他们是什么样的人；该书的作者力图在书中准确描述科学界（scientific community）及生活在科学界的人。由此可见，亚文化群体即科学界。因此C项正确。
2.【答案】B。
【解析】本题的依据是第一段中的“Since it touches almost every facet of our life, educated people need at least some acquaintance with its structure and operation”。据此可知，B项的“科学几乎影响我们生活的所有方面”是本题的原因。
3.【答案】A。
【解析】本题可参照文章的第二段，即这本书为很聪明但其科学知识很肤浅的学生或科学门外汉而写；为一直把科学视为堆积干巴巴事实的、发霉味的仓库的人而写；为把科学当做是科学小装置的人而写；为把那些科学家视为某种魔术师的人而写。据此可判断出文中提到的书籍是为渴望更深入地了解科学的读者编写的，因此选项A正确。
4.【答案】D。
【解析】本题可参照文章的第三段，即近来越来越多的妇女进入科学界。在谈论妇女对科学界的贡献时，我们使用的是隐含性别歧视的语言——用阳性名词或代词来指性别不明的人物。为了消除这种固有的偏见，我们在可能和必要时用复数名词或代词来代替他或她。这是整个第三段想要阐明的。所以D项的“阳性名词或代词不应当用来指科学家”正确。
5.【答案】B。
【解析】本文第二段首的“This book is written for...”指明该书的读者对象；第三段首句和第四首句说明了该书要达到的两个目的。据此可知，B项“一本书的前言”是正确答案。
