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七 社会类
1. Such nonmainstream areas of inquiry as astrology, fortune-telling, and
psychic and paranormal pursuits play a vital role in society by satisfying
human needs that are not addressed by mainstream science. 2. Society does not place enough emphasis on the intellect-that is, on
reasoning and other cognitive skills. 3. It is through the use of logic and of precise, careful measurement that
we become aware of our progress. Without such tools, we have no reference
points to indicate how far we have advanced or retreated. 4. At various times in the geological past, many species have become
extinct as a result of natural, rather than human, processes. Thus, there
is no justification for society to make extraordinary efforts, especially
at a great cost in money and jobs, to save endangered species. 5. The absence of choices is a circumstance that is very, very rake. 6. What society has thought to be it greatest social, political, and
individual achievements have often resulted in the greatest discontent. 7. The well-being of a society is enhanced when many of its people question
authority. 8. Tradition and modernization are incompatible. One must choose between
them. 9. The only responsibility of corporate executives, provided they stay
within the law, is to make as much money as possible for their companies.
10. Many problems of modern society cannot be solved by laws and the legal
system because moral behavior cannot be legislated. 11. Scandals—whether in politics, academia, or other areas—can be useful.
They focus our attention on problems in ways that no speaker or reformer
ever could. 12. Practicality is now our great ideal, which all powers and talents must
serve. Anything that is not obviously practical has little value in today’
s world. 13. It is easy to welcome innovation and accept new ideas. What most people
find difficult, however, is accepting the way these new ideas are put into
practice. 14. The best way to understand the character of a society is to examine the
character of the men and women that the society chooses as its heroes or
its heroines. 15. Progress is best made through discussion among people who have
contrasting points of vies. 八 历史类
1. The video camera provides such an accurate and convincing record of
contemporary life that it has become a more important form of documentation
than written records. 2. Most people would agree that building represent a valuable record of any
society’s past, but controversy arises when old buildings stand on ground
that modern planners feel could be better used for modern purposes. In such
situations, modern development should be given precedence over the
preservation of historic buildings so that contemporary needs can be served. 3. The greatness of individuals can be decided only by those who live after
them, not by their contemporaries. 4. The study of history places too much emphasis on individuals. The most
significant events and trends in history were made possible not by the
famous few, but by groups of people whose identities have long been
forgotten. 5. The study of history has value only to the extent that it is relevant to
our daily lives. 6. When we concern ourselves with the study of history, we become
storytellers. Becauses we can never know the past directly but must
construct it by interpreting evidence, exploring history is more of a
creative enterprise than it is an objective pursuit. All historians are
storytellers. 7. So much is new and complex today that looking back for an understanding
of the past provides little guidance for living in the present. 8. The chief benefit of the study of history is to break down the illusion
that people in one period of time are significantly different from people
who lived at any other time in history. | 
