五 科技类
1. The primary goal of technological1 advancement2 should be to increase
people’s efficiency so that everyone has more leisure time.
2. Money spent on research is almost always a good investment, even when
the results of that research are controversial.
3. Humanity has made little real progress over the past century or so.
Technological innovations have taken place, but the overall condition of
humanity is no better. War, violence, and poverty are still with us.
Technology cannot change the condition of humanity.
4. When research priorities are being set for science, education, or any
other area, the most important question to consider is : How many people’s
lives will be improved if the results are successful.
5. The function of science is to reassure3; the purpose of arts is to upset.
Therein lies the value of each.
6. Technology creates more problems than it solves, and may threaten or
damage the quality of life.
7. Most important discoveries or creations are accidental: it is usually
while seeking the answer to one question that we come across the answer to
another.
六 传媒类
1. In the age of television, reading books is not as important as it once
was. People can learn as much by watching television as they can by reading
books.
2. The purpose of many advertisements is to make consumers want to buy a
product so that they will ‘be like’ the person in the ad. This practice
is effective because it not only sells products but also helps people feel
better about themselves.
3. Because of television and worldwide computer connections, people can now
become familiar with a great many places that they have never visited. As a
result, tourism will soon become obsolete4.
4. High-speed electronic communications media, such as electronic mail and
television, tend to prevent meaningful and thoughtful communication.
5. In this age of intensive media coverage5, it is no longer possible for a
society to regard any woman or man as a hero. The reputation of anyone who
is subjectied to media scrutiny6 will eventually be diminished.