Question

【题目】Science has a lot of uses. It can uncover laws of nature, cure diseases, make bombs, and help bridges to stand up. Indeed science is so good at what it does that there’s always a temptation(诱惑) to drag it into problems where it may not be helpful. David Brooks, author of The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement, appears to be the latest in a long line of writers who have failed to resist the temptation.

Brooks gained fame for several books. His latest book The Social Animal, however, is more ambitious and serious than his earlier books. It is an attempt to deal with a set of weighty topics. The book focuses on big questions: What has science revealed about human nature? What are the sources of character? And why are some people happy and successful while others aren’t?

To answer these questions, Brooks surveys a wide range of disciplines(学科). Considering this, you might expect the book to be a dry recitation of facts. But Brooks has structured his book in an unorthodox(非常规的), and perhaps unfortunate, way. Instead of introducing scientific theories, he tells a story, within which he tries to make his points, perhaps in order to keep the reader’s attention. So as Harold and Erica, the hero and heroine in his story, live through childhood, we hear about the science of child development, and as they begin to date we hear about the theory of sexual attraction. Brooks carries this through to the death of one of his characters.

On the whole, Brooks’s story is acceptable if uninspired. As one would expect, his writing is mostly clear and, to be fair, some chapters stand out above the rest. I enjoyed, for instance, the chapter in which Harold discovers how to think on his own. While Harold and Erica are certainly not strong or memorable characters, the more serious problems with The Social Animal lie elsewhere. These problems partly involve Brooks’s attempt to translate his tale into science.

【1】The author mentions the functions of science at the beginning of the passage to __________.

A. illustrate where science can be applied

B. demonstrate the value of Brooks’s new book

C. remind the reader of the importance of science

D. explain why many writers use science in their works

【2】According to the author, which of the following could be a strength of the book?

A. Its strong basis. B. Its convincing points.

C. Its clear writing. D. Its memorable characters.

【3】What is the author’s general attitude towards the book?

A. Contradictory. B. Supportive.

C. Cautious. D. Critical.

【4】What is the author likely to write about after the last paragraph?

A. Problems with the book. B. Brooks’s life experiences.

C. Death of the characters. D. Brooks’s translation skills.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】C

【3】D

【4】A

【解析】试题分析：本文是一篇书评，介绍了David Brooks的书The Social Animal，并告诉我们在这本书中他如何运用科学方面的知识来阐述他的故事，并指出这本书的优点和不足。

【1】D 主旨大意题。首段第一、二句首先列举出科学的许多功能，接着指出科学有巨大的诱惑力，以致许多作家抵挡不住这种诱惑，在文学作品中运用到科学。故选D项。

【2】C 推理判断题。根据最后一段中“…, his writing is mostly clear and, to be fair, some chapters stand out above the rest. I enjoyed,… ”可知，作者认为写作思路清晰是这本书的一大优势。故选C项。

【3】D 推理判断题。最后一段中的连接词“while”之前是这本书的优势，其后作者指出了其不足。因此作者对这部书持批判的态度。故选D项。

【4】A 推理判断题。文章最后一段中连接词“while”后面部分开始谈论这本书存在的问题。因此作者紧接着应该还是在写这本的不足。故选A项。