1.CR
A prestigious magazine, known for its sophisticated and intellectual writing style, is considering altering its content to be more lively and informal, hoping to attract a younger readership. This change, however, risks alienating some of its existing, older audience. Which of the following assumptions is necessary for the magazine's strategy to be successful?
(A) The magazine's current readership is largely comprised of older individuals who are resistant to change.
(B) The potential gain in younger readership will outweigh the potential loss of older readership.
(C) Other magazines targeting younger audiences will not adopt a similar strategy, thereby diluting the market.
(D) The magazine's writers are capable of adapting their style to be more lively and informal without compromising the quality of their work.
(E) Younger readers are drawn to lively and informal writing styles regardless of the subject matter being discussed.
A chemical plant's workforce has exhibited an unusually high incidence of a specific illness, known to have a latency period of several years. Investigations revealed the presence of a particular chemical, known to cause this illness, in a raw material used in the plant's production process. Based on this finding, the plant management concluded that exposure to this chemical in the raw material is the primary cause of the workers' illnesses.
Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the plant management's conclusion?
(A) The chemical in question is also present in the local water supply, consumed by both the plant workers and the general population in the surrounding area.
(B) The plant has implemented rigorous safety protocols and protective measures to minimize worker exposure to all potentially harmful chemicals, including the one found in the raw material.
(C) The incidence of the illness among workers who directly handle the raw material is significantly lower than the incidence among workers who do not.
(D) The plant's management has a history of prioritizing cost-cutting measures over worker safety concerns, leading to previous incidents of workplace hazards.
(E) Medical research has identified a genetic predisposition that significantly increases susceptibility to the illness in question, and this predisposition is prevalent in the local population.
答案:
2.DI
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, in his seminal work "Metaphysics," posited that the universe is eternal and unchanging, a stark contrast to the prevailing notion of his time that the cosmos was created by a divine entity. He argued that the universe has always existed and will continue to exist indefinitely, without a beginning or an end. This concept, known as the "Eternal Universe" theory, laid the foundation for much of Western philosophical thought and cosmology for centuries to come. Aristotle's ideas were deeply rooted in his understanding of causality, the notion that every effect must have a cause. He reasoned that if the universe had a beginning, there must have been a cause for its existence, which would require another cause, and so on, leading to an infinite regression. To avoid this logical conundrum, Aristotle concluded that the universe must be eternal, without a beginning or an end.
However, the advent of modern scientific theories, such as the Big Bang theory and the concept of an expanding universe, have challenged Aristotle's assertions. The Big Bang theory, first proposed by Georges Lemaître in the 1920s and later substantiated by Edwin Hubble's observations of galactic redshift, suggests that the universe began as an infinitesimally small, dense point approximately 13.8 billion years ago and has been expanding ever since. This theory is supported by a wealth of observational evidence, including the cosmic microwave background radiation and the abundance of light elements in the universe. The cosmic microwave background radiation, discovered by Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson in 1965, is a faint, uniform glow of microwave radiation that permeates the entire sky. This radiation is believed to be a remnant of the early stages of the universe, approximately 380,000 years after the Big Bang, when the universe had cooled sufficiently to allow electrons and protons to combine into neutral atoms, releasing photons that have been propagating through space ever since. The spectrum and uniformity of this radiation provide compelling evidence for the Hot Big Bang model of the universe's origin.
Despite the compelling evidence for the Big Bang theory, some scientists and philosophers have sought to reconcile it with the concept of an eternal universe. One such attempt is the "Oscillating Universe" theory, which proposes that the universe undergoes an endless cycle of expansion and contraction, with each "Big Bang" marking the beginning of a new cycle. This theory, while intriguing, lacks the same level of observational support as the Big Bang theory and remains largely speculative. The Oscillating Universe theory faces several challenges, including the problem of entropy, which suggests that each successive cycle would become increasingly disordered, eventually leading to a "heat death" of the universe. Additionally, recent observations of the accelerating expansion of the universe, driven by the mysterious force known as dark energy, suggest that the universe may not have sufficient mass density to reverse its expansion and initiate a contraction phase.
Another point of contention in the debate surrounding the origin and nature of the universe is the role of a divine creator. Many religious traditions, including ancient Greek mythology, attribute the creation of the universe to one or more deities. In Greek mythology, the universe was said to have emerged from Chaos, a primordial void, through the actions of the first gods, such as Gaia (Earth), Uranus (Sky), and Eros (Love). This mythological account of creation, while rich in symbolism and metaphor, does not align with the scientific understanding of the universe's origins. The idea of a divine creator is not inherently incompatible with scientific theories of the universe's origin, as some philosophers and theologians have argued for a "First Cause" or "Prime Mover" that set the universe in motion. However, the nature and identity of such a creator, if one exists, remain matters of philosophical and religious speculation rather than scientific inquiry.
The question of whether the universe had a beginning or has always existed is not merely a philosophical or religious one but also has significant implications for our understanding of the fundamental laws of physics. The concept of an eternal universe poses challenges to our current models of gravity, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics, which are predicated on the notion of a finite, evolving universe. Reconciling these theories with the idea of an eternal cosmos would require a significant revision of our understanding of the nature of time, space, and matter. For example, the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the entropy (disorder) of a closed system always increases over time, seems to be at odds with the idea of an eternal, unchanging universe. If the universe has existed for an infinite amount of time, one would expect it to have already reached a state of maximum entropy, which is clearly not the case. Similarly, the concept of an eternal universe challenges our understanding of causality and the arrow of time, as it implies that there may be no ultimate cause or beginning to the chain of events that constitute the universe's history.
The debate surrounding the origin and nature of the universe has also been shaped by philosophical considerations, particularly in the realm of metaphysics. The ancient Greek philosopher Plato, in his "Theory of Forms," argued that the physical world is merely an imperfect reflection of a higher, eternal realm of perfect forms or ideas. This concept of a timeless, unchanging reality beyond the physical universe has influenced many subsequent philosophical and religious traditions, including Neoplatonism and certain strands of Christian theology. In contrast, Aristotle's emphasis on the primacy of the physical world and the importance of empirical observation laid the groundwork for the development of modern scientific inquiry.
As we continue to explore the mysteries of the universe through scientific inquiry and philosophical discourse, it is essential to remain open to new ideas and evidence, even if they challenge long-held beliefs or theories. The debate surrounding the origin and nature of the universe is far from settled, and it is through the ongoing dialogue between science, philosophy, and religion that we may ultimately arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of our place in the cosmos. In recent years, advances in cosmology, such as the detection of gravitational waves and the mapping of the cosmic web, have provided new insights into the structure and evolution of the universe on the largest scales. At the same time, developments in quantum physics and the study of subatomic particles have shed light on the fundamental building blocks of matter and the forces that govern their interactions.
One of the most promising avenues for reconciling the apparent contradictions between the concept of an eternal universe and the evidence for a finite, evolving cosmos may lie in the realm of quantum cosmology. This field seeks to apply the principles of quantum mechanics to the study of the universe as a whole, treating it as a quantum system that can exist in a superposition of states. Some quantum cosmological models, such as the "No Boundary Proposal" put forward by Stephen Hawking and James Hartle, suggest that the universe may have emerged from a quantum fluctuation, without the need for a singular beginning or a creator. These models, while highly speculative and still in need of further development and testing, offer a potential bridge between the seemingly incompatible notions of an eternal universe and a universe with a definite origin.
Another intriguing possibility is that our observable universe may be just one among many, perhaps infinitely many, universes that make up a larger "multiverse." This idea, known as the "Many Worlds Interpretation" of quantum mechanics, suggests that every quantum event gives rise to multiple parallel universes, each representing a different possible outcome. If this interpretation is correct, it could imply that our universe is just one of countless others, each with its own unique history and physical laws. The concept of a multiverse, while highly speculative and currently beyond the reach of direct observational evidence, offers a potential resolution to some of the deepest questions about the nature of reality and the origin of the universe.
As we continue to grapple with these profound questions, it is important to recognize the limits of our current knowledge and the vast expanses of uncertainty that still lie ahead. The study of the universe, from its smallest constituents to its largest structures, is an ongoing journey of discovery that will likely continue to challenge and transform our understanding of the cosmos for generations to come. By engaging in this pursuit with a spirit of openness, curiosity, and intellectual humility, we can hope to shed new light on the eternal mysteries that have captivated the human imagination since the dawn of civilization.
问题:
1. According to Aristotle's "Eternal Universe" theory, the universe:
A) Was created by a divine entity
B) Has always existed and will continue to exist indefinitely
C) Began as an infinitesimally small, dense point
D) Emerges from Chaos through the actions of the first gods
E) Undergoes an endless cycle of expansion and contraction
2. The Big Bang theory, as mentioned in the passage, was first proposed by:
A) Aristotle
B) Georges Lemaître
C) Edwin Hubble
D) Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson
E) Stephen Hawking and James Hartle
3. Which of the following provides the most substantial evidence for the Big Bang theory?
A) Aristotle's "Metaphysics"
B) The "Oscillating Universe" theory
C) Ancient Greek mythology
D) The cosmic microwave background radiation and the abundance of light elements
E) The fundamental laws of physics
4. The "Oscillating Universe" theory attempts to reconcile:
A) Aristotle's "Eternal Universe" theory with ancient Greek mythology
B) The Big Bang theory with the concept of an eternal universe
C) Religious traditions with the scientific understanding of the universe's origins
D) The role of a divine creator with the fundamental laws of physics
E) The nature of time, space, and matter with the idea of an eternal cosmos
5. According to Greek mythology, the universe emerged from:
A) The Big Bang
B) The cosmic microwave background radiation
C) Chaos, a primordial void
D) The fundamental laws of physics
E) The "Many Worlds Interpretation" of quantum mechanics
6. The concept of an eternal universe poses challenges to current models of:
A) Gravity, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics
B) Plato's "Theory of Forms"
C) Aristotle's understanding of causality
D) The detection of gravitational waves
E) The mapping of the cosmic web
7. The second law of thermodynamics suggests that:
A) The universe has always existed and will continue to exist indefinitely
B) The entropy of a closed system always increases over time
C) The universe may have emerged from a quantum fluctuation
D) The physical world is an imperfect reflection of a higher, eternal realm
E) Every quantum event gives rise to multiple parallel universes
8. The "No Boundary Proposal" put forward by Stephen Hawking and James Hartle suggests that:
A) The universe has always existed and will continue to exist indefinitely
B) The universe began as an infinitesimally small, dense point
C) The universe may have emerged from a quantum fluctuation, without the need for a singular beginning or a creator
D) The universe undergoes an endless cycle of expansion and contraction
E) Our observable universe may be just one among many, perhaps infinitely many, universes
9. The "Many Worlds Interpretation" of quantum mechanics suggests that:
A) The universe has always existed and will continue to exist indefinitely
B) The universe began as an infinitesimally small, dense point
C) The universe may have emerged from a quantum fluctuation, without the need for a singular beginning or a creator
D) The universe undergoes an endless cycle of expansion and contraction
E) Every quantum event gives rise to multiple parallel universes, each representing a different possible outcome
10. The passage suggests that the study of the universe is:
A) A completed endeavor with no remaining uncertainties
B) An ongoing journey of discovery that will continue to challenge and transform our understanding of the cosmos
C) A pursuit that should be approached with a spirit of certainty and intellectual rigidity
D) A field that has conclusively proven the existence of a divine creator
E) An area of inquiry that has no bearing on philosophical or religious questions about the nature of reality
答案:
3.RC
Anna Olmsted’s part in this was central, although her reputation waxed and waned between 1939 and 1989. It was at its height in the early 1950s when a number of celebratory articles appeared about her and the Ceramic National exhibitions in Ceramic Monthly and Ceramic Review. These made much of the influence of Robineau and the zeal of Olmsted, but they stressed, in particular, the extraordinary status of American ceramics abroad, attributing this to the influence of the Ceramic National exhibitions, of which it was said ‘none in the world [exhibitions] can compete with its prestige.’
However, at the publication of the major catalogue of the Everson Museum’s (formerly Syracuse Museum of Fine Arts) ceramics collection in 1989 Olmsted’s reputation had declined to such an extent that she barely merited a mention. There were a number of reasons for this. Firstly, by 1989, when the catalogue was produced, the history of ceramics in the USA was most definitely written in terms of ‘named subjects’. These people were creative and artistic, part of a lucrative international art market supported, in turn, by specialist, private and public galleries and museums. American Ceramics, The Collection of the Everson Museum consolidated this. Also Olmsted was not a ceramicist; rather she was a curator, organizer and facilitator. Surprisingly, given her extraordinary promotion of the exhibitions, she was not a self-promoter. She was neither judge nor juror of the exhibitions, and nor are there any photographs representing her as a professional participating in them, whereas there are numerous photographs of Cowan and Atherton. Furthermore the curatorial stance which she epitomized had been rejected by 1989; indeed in 1972 the exhibitions were abandoned as the intellectual and creative centre of US ceramics shifted west to California, and it was claimed that the exhibition had no coherence, and that it was too vast and uneven in quality. Olmsted was a powerful, influential figure who – even in the mid-1950s – was seen as an obstacle to change at the newly built Everson Museum of Art. Controversially, she was moved sideways in a change of personnel at the end of the 1950s. Retrospectively, it can be seen that Olmsted’s fluctuating reputation went hand in hand with changing priorities in American ceramics. The experimental ceramics of the 1930s helped to establish the preconditions for the blurring of categories, and Olmsted’s role in organizing, staging and promoting both ceramic vessels and sculpture via the Ceramic National exhibitions made a huge contribution to the dissemination of what had become the distinctiveness of American ceramics around the world. Writing in the decorative art section of the Golden Gate international exposition held in 1939, Olmsted quoted Richard F. Bach’s assessment that the Ceramic National exhibitions had ‘rendered signal service in consolidating American interest in ceramics – thus providing an experiment station where criteria of quality may be established’.
1. According to the passage, which of the following best describes the role Anna Olmsted played in the development of American ceramics?
(A) She was a renowned ceramicist who created influential works of art.
(B) She was a curator who organized and promoted the Ceramic National exhibitions, contributing to the global recognition of American ceramics.
(C) She was a judge and juror who determined the quality of ceramics showcased in the exhibitions.
(D) She was a self-promoter who ensured her own reputation remained at the forefront of the ceramics industry.
(E) She was a controversial figure who hindered the progress of American ceramics by resisting change at the Everson Museum of Art.
2. The passage suggests that by 1989, the history of ceramics in the USA was primarily focused on:
(A) The influence of the Ceramic National exhibitions on the global ceramics market.
(B) The role of curators and organizers in shaping the ceramics industry.
(C) The experimental ceramics of the 1930s and their impact on blurring categories.
(D) The creative and artistic individuals who were part of the international art market.
(E) The shift of the intellectual and creative center of US ceramics to California.
3. Which of the following can be inferred about the curatorial stance epitomized by Anna Olmsted?
(A) It was widely embraced and celebrated in the 1989 catalogue of the Everson Museum's ceramics collection.
(B) It was rejected by 1989, as priorities in American ceramics had changed.
(C) It focused on promoting only ceramic vessels and not sculptures.
(D) It was characterized by a strong emphasis on self-promotion and personal recognition.
(E) It was instrumental in maintaining the coherence and quality of the Ceramic National exhibitions.
4. The passage mentions that the Ceramic National exhibitions were abandoned in 1972 because:
(A) Anna Olmsted's reputation had declined significantly by that time.
(B) The exhibitions were deemed too vast and uneven in quality, lacking coherence.
(C) The focus of American ceramics had shifted from the east coast to the west coast.
(D) The exhibitions no longer served as the intellectual and creative center of US ceramics.
(E) The blurring of categories in ceramics had rendered the exhibitions irrelevant.
5. According to the passage, which of the following best describes the relationship between Anna Olmsted's reputation and the changing priorities in American ceramics?
(A) Olmsted's reputation remained consistently high throughout her career, regardless of changes in American ceramics.
(B) Olmsted's reputation declined as a result of her resistance to change at the Everson Museum of Art.
(C) Olmsted's reputation fluctuated in tandem with the shifting priorities and focus of American ceramics.
(D) Olmsted's reputation was primarily influenced by her role as a judge and juror in the Ceramic National exhibitions.
(E) Olmsted's reputation was unaffected by the experimental ceramics of the 1930s and the blurring of categories.
6. The author of the passage suggests that Anna Olmsted's contribution to the dissemination of American ceramics around the world was primarily through:
(A) Her own creative works as a ceramicist.
(B) Her role as a judge and juror in the Ceramic National exhibitions.
(C) Her self-promotion and personal recognition in the ceramics industry.
(D) Her organization, staging, and promotion of both ceramic vessels and sculpture in the Ceramic National exhibitions.
(E) Her resistance to change and maintaining the status quo at the Everson Museum of Art.
7. According to Richard F. Bach, as quoted by Anna Olmsted, the Ceramic National exhibitions:
(A) Provided a platform for establishing criteria of quality in American ceramics.
(B) Consolidated American interest in ceramics and served as an experiment station.
(C) Rendered signal service in promoting the global recognition of American ceramics.
(D) Contributed to the blurring of categories between ceramic vessels and sculpture.
(E) Established the preconditions for the experimental ceramics of the 1930s.
8. The passage suggests that Anna Olmsted's move from her position at the Everson Museum of Art in the late 1950s was:
(A) A result of her declining reputation in the ceramics industry.
(B) A controversial decision amidst changing personnel at the museum.
(C) A consequence of the shift in the intellectual and creative center of US ceramics to California.
(D) A strategic move to promote the experimental ceramics of the 1930s.
(E) An attempt to maintain the coherence and quality of the Ceramic National exhibitions.
9. According to the passage, the extraordinary status of American ceramics abroad in the early 1950s was attributed to:
(A) The influence of the Ceramic National exhibitions and their unrivaled prestige.
(B) The creative and artistic individuals who were part of the lucrative international art market.
(C) The experimental ceramics of the 1930s and their role in blurring categories.
(D) The shift of the intellectual and creative center of US ceramics to California.
(E) The curatorial stance epitomized by Anna Olmsted and her promotion of ceramic vessels and sculpture.
10. The passage implies that the decline of Anna Olmsted's reputation by 1989 can be attributed to:
(A) The consolidation of American ceramics in the collection of the Everson Museum.
(B) The focus on named subjects and creative individuals in the history of American ceramics.
(C) The rejection of the curatorial stance she represented and the changing priorities in American ceramics.
(D) The lack of photographs representing her as a professional participating in the Ceramic National exhibitions.
(E) The abandonment of the Ceramic National exhibitions in 1972 due to their lack of coherence and uneven quality.
1. B
杂志要改变写作风格，新风格旨在吸引年轻的读者；然而改变会流失一些老年读者。
要选择可以使该策略成功的一项：猜测选项既可以保留老读者又增加了新读者；
(A) The magazine's current readership is largely comprised of older individuals who are resistant to change.---- 杂志现有的读者大部分是由那些不愿意改变的老人组成的。--加强了老年读者的流失量，削弱了策略成功率。
(B) The potential gain in younger readership will outweigh the potential loss of older readership.---年轻读者潜在增加量大于老年读者的潜在流失量。---虽然有老年读者流失，但是青年读者有增加，实现了策略目标 (C) Other magazines targeting younger audiences will not adopt a similar strategy, thereby diluting the market.--其他针对年轻读者的杂志将不会使用相同的策略，因此稀释了市场。---削弱了策略成功率 (D) The magazine's writers are capable of adapting their style to be more lively and informal without compromising the quality of their work.---无关 (E) Younger readers are drawn to lively and informal writing styles regardless of the subject matter being discussed.----无论讨论的主题是什么，年轻的读者都会被生动活泼、非正式的写作风格所吸引。---此项并不保证老年读者不流失。
2. C 前提：化工厂工人患病率很高，工厂在生产工程中发现一种化学物质会导致疾病； 结论：接触这种原材料是工人患病的主要原因。
要找出削弱结论的选项：猜测可能是另外一种化学物质造成的或者其他原因导致的。
3. (A) The chemical in question is also present in the local water supply, consumed by both the plant workers and the general population in the surrounding area.----这种有问题的化学物质同时存在当地供水中，该供水被工厂工人和当地的居民使用。---只是换了一个感染源，并没有排出该化学物质导致患病的可能。
(B) The plant has implemented rigorous safety protocols and protective measures to minimize worker exposure to all potentially harmful chemicals, including the one found in the raw material.----该工厂严格执行安全方案和防护措施去减少所有潜在有害物质的暴露，包括在原材料中的化学物质。--并没有解决问题，也没有削弱结论
(C) The incidence of the illness among workers who directly handle the raw material is significantly lower than the incidence among workers who do not.-----直接接触原材料工人的患病率明显小于那些没有接触原材料的。---直接地证明了并不一定是原材料里的化学物质造成患病的。
(D) The plant's management has a history of prioritizing cost-cutting measures over worker safety concerns, leading to previous incidents of workplace hazards.----该工厂管理层一贯优先考虑削减成本措施，而忽视工人安全问题，导致此前发生过多起工作场所危险事件。----无关
(E) Medical research has identified a genetic predisposition that significantly increases susceptibility to the illness in question, and this predisposition is prevalent in the local population.--医学研究发现，遗传倾向会显著增加患上该疾病的可能性，而且这种倾向在当地人群中很普遍。----只说了有遗传的原因，没有削弱由化学物质造成患病的可能。
[/md]作者: JCTfire 时间: 2024-8-12 15:31
PG类：
手段是将写作手法改变成更加年轻和非正式的，目的是吸引年轻的群体
补上文章的gap：不论其他东西怎么样，只要写作手法是非正式的，就能吸引年轻群体
我的选择：E