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  3. Does a bill that does nothing actually do something? This is not a Zen koan, but a legislative one, being tested this month in T

Does a bill that does nothing actually do something? This is not a Zen koan, but a legislative one, being tested this month in T

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问题    Does a bill that does nothing actually do something? This is not a Zen koan, but a legislative one, being tested this month in Tennessee. The bill in question required the state’s education system to encourage students to "explore scientific questions" and "respond appropriately and respectfully to differences of opinion about scientific subjects" . It also protected teachers against punishment for "helping students understand, analyse, critique and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories." It passed with big majorities in both chambers, and became law on April 10th.
   At issue is whether this innocuous-sounding measure is actually a back door that would allow teachers to introduce creationism and intelligent design into science classrooms. Many are sure it is. The measure drew opposition from scientists and teachers both nationally and in Tennessee. Several scientists worry that the bill would weaken science education in the state.
   Supporters of the measure, such as state Senator Bo Watson, a co-sponsor, say this is alarmist nonsense. Evolution is part of Tennessee’s science curriculum, which the bill does not change. Many state and federal court cases have not only prohibited the teaching of creationism and intelligent design in public-school classrooms, but have also restrained teachers from introducing arguments against evolution in contravention of a school district’s curriculum. Mr Watson insists the bill is simply meant to ensure that pupils learn "critical thinking" in science classrooms.
   Tennessee’s bill is not unusual: since 2004 similar measures have been offered in no fewer than 13 state legislatures. Only in one other state has one become law. Many such bills, including Tennessee’s, share a common parent: a "Model Academic Freedom Statute on Evolution" written and posted by a conservative think-tank that has long advocated intelligent design. This measure protects teachers’ and students’ rights to present and hear "the full range of scientific views regarding biological and chemical evolution," but it does little in practice. It changes no curriculum and does not expressly lobby for creationism or intelligent design. Louisiana’s measure, which has been law for nearly four years, seems to have had no evident effects. Instead, these bills seem a particularly successful bit of signalling. They let evolution sceptics express themselves in the right place: within the law and outside the classroom.
   
It cannot be inferred from the text that in American public schools______.
选项 A、it is illegal to teach creationism and intelligent design
B、teachers are not allowed to introduce arguments against evolution
C、evolution is the only legal scientific theory that can be taught
D、students may not hear the full range of scientific views about evolution
答案C
解析 推断题。此题适用于排除法。根据关键词public schools定位到第三段。C项“进化论是可以教授的唯一合法的科学理论”在文中推断不出来，找不到依据。故正确答案为C项。
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