C

Public don’t trust scientists partly because it is not clear what is science and what is technology, what is discovered and what is manufactured. Most governments, perhaps all governments, prove the value of public spending on scientific research in terms of the economic benefits the scientific research has brought in the past and will bring in the future. Politicians remind their voters of the wonderful machines o ur scientists have invented, the new drugs to relieve old diseases, and the new medical equipment and techniques by which previously incurable conditions may now be treated and lives saved.

At the same time, the politicians demand that scientists suit their research to economic needs, and that they put in the first place research proposals that are “near the market” and can be translated into the greatest return in the shortest time. Dependent on politicians for much of their funding, scientists have little choice but to obey. Like the rest of us, they are members of a society that values the creation of wealth. Many have different opinions, but keep them to themselves.

In such circumstances no one should be too hard on people who are doubtful about conflicts of interest. When we learn that the distinguished professor trying to convince us of the safety of a particular product is a consultant (顾问) of the company making it, we cannot be blamed for wondering whether the money he receives from the company might cloud his professional judgment. Even if the professor holds no consultancy with any firm, some people may still distrust him because of his association with those who do, or at least wonder about the source of some of his research funding.

This attitude can have damaging effects. It questions the honesty of individuals working in a profession that thinks intellectual honesty is the most important. This makes it easier to distrust all scientific statements, especially those made by the scientists who present themselves as experts. The scientist most likely to understand the safety of a nuclear reactor, for example, is a nuclear engineer, and a nuclear engineer is mostly likely to be employed by the nuclear industry. If a nuclear engineer declares that a reactor is unsafe, we believe him, because clearly it is not to his advantage to lie about it. If he tells us it is safe, on the other hand, we distrust him, because he may well be protecting the employer who pays his salary.

9.What is the chief concern of most governments when it comes to scientific research?

A. The budget for a research project. B. Support from the voters.

C. The reduction of public spending. D. Quick economic returns.

10.Scientists have to adapt their research to economic needs in order to 　　　　.

A. translate knowledge into wealth B. impress the public with their achievements

C. obtain funding from the government D. turn the value of their existence into reality

11.According to the author, people doubt the professional judgment of scientists because 　　　　.

A. they could be influenced by their association with the project concerned

B. sometimes they hide the source of their research funding

C. some of them do not put intellectual honesty in the first place

D. their statements often turn out to be wrong

12.Why does the author say that public distrust of scientists can have damaging effects?

A. It makes things difficult for scientists seeking research funds.

B. People would not believe scientists even when they tell the truth.

C. It may discourage scientists from doing independent research.

D. Scientists themselves may doubt the value of their research findings.

D

Obviously your mom had it right when she threatened to wash your mouth out with soap if you talked dirty. Lying really does create a desire to clean the “dirty” body part, according to a study by University of Michigan.

“The references to ‘dirty hands’ or ‘dirty mouths’ in everyday language suggest that people think about abstract issues of moral purity in terms of more experiences with physical purity,” said Spike W.S. Lee, a U-M doctoral candidate, who conducted the study with Norbert Schwarz, a psychologist.

For the study, Lee and Schwarz asked 87 students to play the role of lawyers competing with a colleague, “Chris”, for a promotion. Each was asked to imagine they found an important document that Chris had lost, and that returning the document would help his career and hurt their own career. Each participant was instructed to leave Chris a message by either voice mail or e-mail, telling him who they were and either lying that they could not find his document or telling the truth that they had found the document.

Next, participants rated the desirability of several products and reported how much they were willing to pay for each product. The products included mouthwash (漱口剂) and hand sanitizer (洗手液).

Study participants who lied on the phone, leaving an untrue and mean voice mail, felt a stronger desire for mouthwash and were willing to pay more for it than those who lied on e-mail. And conversely, those who lied on e-mail, typing the same mean message, felt a stronger desire for hand sanitizer and were willing to pay more for that. Saying nice and morally correct things, on the other hand, made it less appealing to clean the body part involved in conveying the message.

Verbal lying increased participants􀆳 assessment of mouthwash while lying on e-mail, using their hands, increased the assessment of hand sanitizer’s value. “This study shows not only do people want to clean after a dirty deed, but they want to clean the specific body part involved,” Schwarz said.

13.The study proved that 　　　　.

A. there is a need to clean the body part that lies

B. the cleaner you are, the fewer lies you will tell

C. mothers care for their children’s mouth clean

D. telling a lie makes you want to have a bath

14.According to the passage, Chris is 　　　　.

A. a mouthwash and hand sanitizer seller B. a famous careless lawyer

C. a college student D. an imaginary character

15.If you tell a lie by writing, you might wash 　　　　.

A. your eyes B. your hands C. your head D. your feet