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  3. Do you remember all those years when scientists argued that smoking would kill us but the doubters insisted that we didn’t know

Do you remember all those years when scientists argued that smoking would kill us but the doubters insisted that we didn’t know

admin2015-01-15  30
问题     Do you remember all those years when scientists argued that smoking would kill us but the doubters insisted that we didn’t know for sure; that the evidence was inconclusive, the science uncertain; that the antismoking lobby was out to destroy our way of life and the government should stay out of the way? Lots of Americans bought that nonsense, and over three decades, some 10 million smokers went to early graves.
    There are upsetting parallels today, as scientists in one wave after another try to awaken us to the growing threat of global warming. The latest was a panel from the National Academy of Sciences, enlisted by the White House, to tell us that the Earth’s atmosphere is definitely warming and that the problem is largely man-made. The clear message is that we should get moving to protect ourselves. The president of the National Academy, Bruce Alberts, added this key point in the preface to the panel’s report, "Science never has all the answer. But science does provide us with the best available guide to the future, and it is critical that our nation and the world base important policies on the best judgments that science can provide concerning the future consequences of present actions. "
    Just as on smoking, voices now come from many quarters insisting that the science about global warming is incomplete, that it’s OK to keep pouring fumes into the air until we know for sure. This is a dangerous game: by the time 100 percent of the evidence is in, it may be too late. With the risks obvious and growing, a prudent people would take out an insurance policy now.
Fortunately, the White House is starting to pay attention. But it’s obvious that a majority of the president’s advisers still don’t take global warming seriously. Instead of plan of action, they continue to press for more research—a classic of "paralysis by analysis".
    To serve as responsible stewards of the planet, we must press forward on deeper atmospheric and oceanic research. But research alone is inadequate. If the Administration won’t take the legislative initiative, Congress should help to begin fashioning conservation measures. A bill by Democratic Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, which would 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 to meet our energy needs. If we are ever going to protect the atmosphere, it is crucial that those new plants be environmentally sound.
What does the author mean by "paralysis by analysis"(Line 3, Paragraph 4)?
选项 A、Endless studies kill action.
B、Careful investigation reveals truth.
C、Prudent planning hinders progress.
D、Extensive research helps decision-making.
答案A
解析 本题可参照文章的第4段：幸运的是，白宫正开始关注此事；但是，很显然总统的大多数顾问仍然没有认真看待全球变暖这个问题。他们不是采取行动，而是继续要求进行更深入的研究——这是一个经典的“分析导致麻痹”的案例。据此可知，作者说这句话的意思是太多的研究阻碍人们采取行动。A项与作者的观点相符，因此A项为正确答案。
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