unit3A课文PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD SCIENCE.doc

PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD SCIENCE Stephen HawkingWhether we like it or not, the world we live in has changed a great deal in the last hundred years, and it is likely to change even more in the next hundred. Some people would like to stop these changes and go back to what they see as a purer and simpler age. But as history shows, the past was not that wonderful. It was not so bad for a privileged minority, though even they had to do without modern medicine, and childbirth was highly risky for women. But for the vast majority of the population, life was nasty, brutish, and short.Anyway, even if one wanted to, one couldnt put the clock back to an earlier age. Knowledge and techniques cant just be forgotten. Nor can one prevent further advances in the future. Even if all government money for research were cut off (and the present government is doing its best), the force of competition would still bring about advances in technology. Moreover, one cannot stop inquiring minds from thinking about basic science, whether or not they are paid for it. The only way to prevent further developments would be a global state that suppressed anything new,and human initiative and inventiveness are such that even this wouldnt succeed. All it would do is slow down the rate of change.If we accept that we cannot prevent science and technology from changing our world, we can at least try to ensure that the changes they make are in the right directions. In a democratic society, this means that the public needs to have a basic understanding of science, so that it can make informed decisions and not leave them in the hands of experts. At the moment, the public is in two minds about science. It has come to expect the steady in crease in the standard of living that new developments in science and technology have brought to continue, but it also distrusts science because it doesnt understand it. This distrust is evident in the cartoon figure of the mad scientist working in his laboratory to produce a Frankenstein.It is also an important element behind support for the Green parties. But the public also has a great interest in science, particularly astronomy, as is shown by the large audiences for television series such as The Sky at Night if and for science fiction.What can be done to harness this interest and give the public the scientific background it needs to make informed decisions on subjects like acid rain, the greenhouse effect, nuclear weapons, and genetic engineering? Clearly, the basis must lie in what is taught in schools.But in schools science is often presented in a dry and uninteresting manner. Children learn it by rote to pass examinations, and they dont see its relevance to the world around them. Moreover, science is often taught in terms of equations. Although equations are a brief and accurate way of describing mathematical ideas, they frighten most people. When I wrote a popular book recently, I was advised that each equation I included would have the sales. I included one equation, Einstein s famous equation, E = mc2.Maybe I would have sold twice as many copies without it. Scientists and engineers tend to express their ideas in the form of equations because they need to know the precise values of quantities. But for the rest of us, a qualitative grasp of scientific concepts is sufficient, and this can be conveyed by words and diagrams, without the use of equations.The science people learn in school can provide the basic framework. But the rate of scientific progress is now so rapid that there are always new developments that have occurred since one was at school or university. I never learned about molecular biology or transistors at school, but genetic engineering and computers are two of the developments most likely to change the way we live in the future. Popular books and magazine articles about science can help to put across new developments, but even the most successful popular book is read by only a small proportion of the population.Only television can reach a truly mass audience. There are some very good science programmes on TV, but others present scientific wonders simply as magic, without explaining them or showing how they fit into the framework of scientific ideas. Producers of television science programmes should realize that they have a responsibility to educate the public, not just entertain it.The world today is filled with dangers,hence the sick joke that the reason we have not been contacted by an alien civilization is that civilizations tend to destroy themselves when they reach our stage. But I have sufficient faith in the good sense of the public to believe that we might prove this wrong.Language Study attitude:manner or way one thinks about, behaves toward, or feels toward sb. or sth. (usu. followed by to/ towards) 看法 ; 态度 The boy has a bad attitude towards his schoolwork.His sons attitude to work made him angry. likely: 1) probable (When functioning as an a., the word is often used in the following patterns: it is likely that. , be likely to do sth.) 可能的 It is likely that my roommate will win the first-class scholarship.An earthquake is likely to strike the area in a year or two.Economists say that the quick economic growth is likely to continue throughout the 2010s. 2) probably (When used as an ad., the word is often preceded by most, more than, or very. You dont use it as an ad. on its own.) 可能 It is reported that another sandstorm will very likely come in the next 24 hours. We will most likely stay home during the Spring Festival. do without:manage to survive, continue, or succeed although you do not have sth. you need, want, or usu. Have 没有 而设法对付过去 Youll have to do without your dinner if you dont get back in time. I cant afford a car, so I guess Ill have to do without. highly: 1) very 很 Mr. Smith was a highly successful salesman. It seems highly likely that she will take the job. 2) to a high level or standard 非常 Most of the people present at the meeting are highly educated women. The chairman of the department was the most highly paid member of faculty. anyway: (used to change the subject of a conversation or to support an idea or argument) anyhow 不管怎么说- Ive got a terrible cold. -Have you? Oh, dear. Anyway, so youre not going to go away this weekend?We ought to spend less on the defence missiles, which I think are pretty useless anyway. put/turn the clock back:return to a situation that used to exist, usually because the present situation is unpleasant 倒退 , 开倒车 The employment bill in which women are not allowed to take jobs will put the clock back fifty years.Forget all about it and look to the future; you cant turn the clock back. cut off: stop providing (sth.) 切断 , 中断 ; 切下 , 剪下 Water and electricity supplies in the city have been cut off because of the American air attacks. Their phone has been cut off because they havent paid the bill. bring about: make (sth.) happen 引起 , 导致Some educators are hoping to bring about major changes in the educational system. Jealousy in a relationship is often brought about by a lack of trust. moreover: in addition to what has been said; further; besides 而且 , 再者 Local people would like a new road. Moreover, there are good economic reasons for building one. She saw that there was a man immediately behind her. Moreover he was observing her strangely. inquire: seek information by questioning; ask (also spelled enquire; sometimes followed by about or wh-clause) 询问 Is something wrong? he inquired. I rang up to inquire about train times. He asked for his key and inquired whether there had been any messages for him. such . that:(formal or literary) used to give a reason or explanation for sth. 如此 以致于 The nature of the job was such that he felt obliged to tell no one about it. His manner was such that he would offend everyone he met. initiative: 1) the ability to make decisions and take action without waiting for sb. to tell you what to do 首创精神 I wish my son would show a bit more initiative. The workers are able to solve the problems on their own initiative. 2)used in the phrase take the initiative : be the first person to take action to improve a situation or relationship, esp. when other people are waiting for sb. else to do sth. 主动 Why dont you take the initiative and arrange a meeting? Dont stand around waiting for someone else to take the initiative. slow down: become slower, or make sb. or sth. Slower 减慢 It seems likely that the economy will slow down over the next twelve months. There is no cure for the disease, although drugs can slow down its rate of develop- ment. The driver slowed the bus down when he saw a boy standing in the road. rate:1) the speed at which sth. happens over a period of time 速度 The rate at which hair grows can be very slow. The worlds forests are disappearing at an even faster rate than experts had thought. 2) a certain amount of one thing considered in relation to a unit of another thing 比率Britain held the record of having the highest divorce rate in Europe.Businesses are closing all over that country at a rate of fifty a week. ensure:make sure (followed by a n. or thai-clause) 保证 , 确保 This new treaty will ensure peace . Come early to ensure that you get a seat. informed: having or showing knowledge 有知识的 , 了解情况的 ; 明智的确 Science is now enabling us to make more informed choices about how we use common drugs. According to informed sources, he has been enrolled by Harvard Urm: tell (used in the patterns: inform sb. of/about sth., inform sb. + thai-clause, inform sb. It is a fairly formal word. In conversation you usually use tell. 告诉 , 通知 They informed us of their arrival at Pudong Airport. Have you informed the police that theres been an accident? I just added a little soy sauce, he informed us. at the moment:now, at the present moment 此刻 , 目前 Im rather busy at the moment; could I call you back? At the moment, no one is talking to me. in two minds (about sth.):unable to decide whether or not you want sth. or want to do sth. 犹豫不决 ; 三心二意 I think shes in two minds about whether to accept his present or not. steady: 1) constant 平稳的 The governments policies have brought a period of steady economic growth with falling unemployment. There has been a steady improvement in her condition. 2) firm 稳定的 -That ladder doesnt look very safe.-Oh well, it is steady as a rock. Keep the camera steady while you take a picture. audience: 1) a group of people who watch and listen to sb. speaking or performing in public (used as a collective countable noun) 观众 , 听众 The audience began clapping and cheering as soon as the film star appeared on the stage. The singer called for a member of the audience to join him on stage. 2) the people who read a writers books (used as a collective countable noun, usu. singular) 读者 His second book will attract a narrower audience, mainly teachers and college students. His book reached an even wider audience when it was filmed for television. basis: (pl. bases) 1) the facts or ideas from which sth. can be developed; foundation (usu. used as a singular noun, followed by for or of) 基础 The video will provide a basis for class discussion. The research will form the basis of a book. 2) the circumstance that provides a reason for some action or opinion (usu. followed by of or thai-clause) You must stay at home, on the basis of the medical reports we have received. Students are able, on the basis of experience, to choose which subjects to specialize in. On the basis that recognizing the problem is halfway to a solution, we should pay much attention to his comments. lie in: exist or be found in sth. 在于 His skill lies in his ability to communicate quite complicated ideas. The plays interest lies in the questions it raises about marriage. in terms of: as regards (sth.); expressed as (sth.) 从 方面 ( 或角度 ) 来说 ; 按照 , 根据 In terms of salary, the job is terrible. In terms of customer satisfaction, the policy cant be criticized. The figures are expressed in terms of a percentage. brief: 1) using few words; concise 简洁的 The teacher of English told the students to write a brief description of a typical problem they had recently met with. Patrick gave a brief summary of the last nights events. 2) lasting or taking a short time 短暂的 This time their visit to Beijing is brief. My brother once made a brief appearance on tv . accurate:exact 准确的 , 精确的 On the whole the program provided an accurate picture of the effect of AIDS. You were pretty accurate in your calculations. tend: be likely to happen or have a particular characteristic or effect 倾向 , 趋向 Some people tend to get up later at weekends. The old couple tend to buy cheap processed foods like canned chicken. The school bus tends to be early on Monday mornings. in the form of: 1) having the shape of 呈 的形状 ; The lane was in the form of a big S. The trees were laid out in the form of the figure eight. 2) existing in a particular form 以 的形式 They received a benefit in the form of a tax reduction. precise: exact 精确的 We will never know the precise details of his death. The precise location of the air crash was established yesterday. grasp: understanding 掌握 , 了解Applied mathematics was beyond the grasp of most of her students. She has a good grasp of the English language. sufficient: as much as is needed, enough (often followed by for or to +infinitive) 充分的 , 足够的 -Can you lend me some money for the journey?-Yes, will $100 be sufficient? There was not sufficient evidence to prove that he was guilty.His income is sufficient to keep him comfortable. There is sufficient food for everyone. convey:make (ideas, feelings, etc.) known to another 传达 , 表达 Their bright eyes and smiling faces conveyed the impression that they were very excited. Words cannot convey how delighted I am that youll come and spend the weekend with us. put across: cause to be understood 解释清楚 , 使被解释 Good teachers are the ones who are able to put things across well. The government needs to put across the message that the economy is starting to recover. proportion: 1) a part of a group or an amount (usu. singular) 部分 A large proportion of the citys population is aged over 50. 2) the relationship between the amounts, numbers, or sizes of different things that go together to form a whole (usu. singular) 比例 The proportion of men to women in the medical profession has changed in recent years. A large proportion of the dolphins in that area will eventually die because of the water pollution. fit into: be part of a situation, system, or plan 适合 , 符合 , 属于 The new college courses fit into a national education plan. College English videos are designed to fit into the syllabus. educate: teach or train 教育 How can our children be educated if schools are not properly funded? The organization launched a campaign to educate teenagers about the dangers of smoking. entertain: 1) give pleasure to 给 以欢乐 Childrens television programs not only entertain but also teach. He entertained his friends with stories from his childhood. 2) have as a guest 招待 According to the school regulations, women students are not allowed to entertain men in their rooms. My husband is in the kitchen; we are entertaining the Smiths this evening. hence:1) as a result, therefore (a formal use, followed by a clause/noun group /a. /ad./ prepositional phrase) 因此 , 所以 Hes an extremely private person; hence his reluctance to give interviews. It was a steep and difficult route and hence not too popular with walkers. The trade imbalance is likely to rise again in the 2000s. Hence a new set of policy actions will be required soon. The Democratic Party was divided and hence very weak. 2) from this time 从此 I dont know where I will be six months hence. The annual conference of APEC will be held in Shanghai seven months hence. contact: get in touch with 与 接触Feel free to contact me if you need my help. I will contact the Tourist Information Bureau for further details. language point 1 . and human initiative and inventiveness are such that even this wouldnt succeed.: As human initiative and inventiveness do exist, even this way to suppress anything new worldwide would fail. language point 2 At the moment, the public is in two minds about science. : Now the public cant decide whether they need science or not.language point 3 It is also an important element behind support for the Green parties. : The publics distrust of science is also an important factor leading to support for the political parties whose main concern is to protect the environment. language point 4 But in schools science is often presented in a dry and uninteresting manner. : But in schools science is often taught in a dull and uninteresting way.language point 5Maybe I would have sold twice as many copies without it. : If my popular book had not i