Science is a dominant theme in our culture. Since it touches almost every facet of our life, educated People need at least some

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问题     Science is a dominant theme in our culture. Since it touches almost every facet of our life, educated People need at least some acquaintance with its structure and operation. They should also have an understanding of the subculture in which scientists live and the kinds of people they are. An understanding of general characteristics of science as well as specific scientific concepts is easier to attain if one knows something about the things that excite and frustrate the scientist.
    This book is written for the intelligent student or lay person whose acquaintance with science is superficial; for the person who has been presented with science as a musty store-house of dried facts; for the person who has been presented with science as the production of gadgets; and for the person who views the scientists as some sort of magician. The book can be used to supplement a course in any science, to accompany any course that attempts to give an understanding of the modern world, or, independently of any course--simply to provide a better understanding of science. We hope this book will lead readers to a broader perspective on scientific attitudes and a more realistic view of what science is, who scientists are, and what they do. It will give them an awareness and understanding of the relationship between science and our culture and an appreciation of the roles science may play in our culture. In addition, readers may learn to appreciate the relationship between scientific views and some of the values and philosophies that are pervasive in our culture.
    We have tried to present in this book an accurate and up-to-date picture of the scientific community and the people who populated it. That population has in recent years come to comprise more and more women. This increasing role of women in the scientific subculture is not an unique incident but, rather, part of the trend evident in all segments of society as more women enter traditionally male-dominated fields and make significant contributions. In discussing these changes and contributions, however, we are faced with a language that is implicitly sexist, one that uses male nouns or pronouns in referring to unspecified individuals. To offset this built-in bias, we have adopted the policy of using plural nouns and pronouns whenever possible and, when absolutely’ necessary, alternating he and she. This policy is far from being ideal, but it is at least an acknowledgment of the inadequacy of our language in treating half of the human race equally.
    We have also tried to make the book entertaining as well as informative. Our approach is usually informal. We feel, as do many other scientists, that we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously. As the reader may observe, we see science as a delightful pastime rather than as a grim and dreary way to earn a living.  
According to this passage, ______.

选项 A、English is a sexist language
B、only in the scientific world is the role of women increasing rapidly
C、women are making significant contributions to eliminating the inadequacy of our language
D、male nouns or pronouns should not be used to refer to scientists

答案D

解析 本题的四个选项中,只有D项为正确答案。这可从文中第三段的内容推知,即近来越来越多的妇女进入科学界。在谈论妇女对科学界的贡献时,我们使用的是隐含性别歧视的语言—用阳性名词或代词来指性别不明的人物。为了消除这种固有的偏见,我们在可能和必要时用复数名词或代词来代替他或她。这是整个第三段想要阐明的。所以“阳性名词或代词不应当用来指科学家”正确。
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