2014考研英語(yǔ)閱讀理解試題及名師解析(24)_跨考網(wǎng)

　　Do you rememberall those years when scientists argued that smoking would kill us but thedoubters insisted that we didn’t know for sure? That the evidence was inconclusive, the scienceuncertain? That the antismoking lobby was out to destroy our way of life andthe government should stay out of the way? Lots of Americans bought thatnonsense, and over three decades, some 10 million smokers went to early graves。

　　There are upsetting parallels today, as scientists in one waveafter another try to awaken us to the growing threat of global warming. Thelatest was a panel from the National Academy of Sciences, enlisted by the WhiteHouse, to tell us that the Earth’s atmosphere is definitely warming and that the problem is largelyman-made. The clear message is that we should get moving to protest ourselves.The president of the National Academy, Bruce Alberts, added this key point inthe preface to the panel’s report: “Science never has all the answers?！? But science doesprovide us with the best available guide to the future, and it is critical thatour nation and the world base important policies on the best judgments thatscience can provide concerning the future consequences of present actions。

　　Just as on smoking, voices now come from many quarters insistingthat the science about global warming is incomplete, that it’s OK to keeppouring fumes into the air until we know for sure. This is a dangerous game: bythe time 100 percent of the evidence is in, it may be too late. With the risksobvious and growing, a prudent people would take out an insurance policy now。

　　Fortunately, the White House is starting to pay attention. But it’s obviousthat a majority of the president’s advisers still don’t take global warming seriously. Instead of a plan of action, theycontinue to press for more research—a classic case of “paralysis byanalysis。”

　　To serve as responsible stewards of the planet, we must pressforward on deeper atmospheric and oceanic research. But research alone isinadequate. If the Administration won’t take thelegislative initiative, Congress should help to begin fashioning conservationmeasures. A bill by Democratic Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, whichwould offer financial incentives for private industry, is a promising start.Many see that the country is getting ready to build lots of new power plants tomeet our energy needs. If we are ever going to protect the atmosphere, it iscrucial that those new plants be environmentally sound。

　　26. An argument made by supporters of smoking was that

　　[A] there was no scientific evidence of the correlation betweensmoking and death。

　　[B] the number of early deaths of smokers in the past decades wasinsignificant。

　　[C] people had the freedom to choose their own way of life。

　　[D] antismoking people were usually talking nonsense。

　　27. According to Bruce Alberts, science can serve as

　　[A] a protector。

　　[B] a judge。

　　[C] a critic。

　　[D] a guide。

　　28. What does the author mean by “paralysis byanalysis” (Last line, Paragraph 4)?

　　[A] Endless studies kill action。

　　[B] Careful investigation reveals truth。

　　[C] Prudent planning hinders progress。

　　[D] Extensive research helps decision-making。

　　29. According to the author, what should the Administration doabout global warming?

　　[A] Offer aid to build cleaner power plants。

　　[B] Raise public awareness of conservation。

　　[C] Press for further scientific research。

　　[D] Take some legislative measures。

　　30. The author associates the issue of global warming with that ofsmoking because

　　[A] they both suffered from the government’s negligence。

　　[B] a lesson from the latter is applicable to the former。

　　[C] the outcome of the latter aggravates the former。

　　[D] both of them have turned from bad to worse。