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Text 1 The planet’s wild creatures face a new threat from yuppies, empty nesters, singletons an...
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Astronomers天文学家saytheyareonthepointoffindingplanet
Takingcareoftheplanetiseveryone's.Let'sdoourbestt
Britain’sseedbanktheonlyoneintheworldaimingtocolle
短文填空根据短文内容及首字母提示补全空格内单词使短文完整通顺YanchengNatureReserv
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ITisalwayshardforasmallfishtoliveinabigponD.Pluto’
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It'sourdutyto保护wildanimals.Animalsareourfriends.
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Hesawildduckwithhisgunyesterdayinthewoods.
短文填词根据短文内容和以下提示1首字母提示2语境提示在每个空格内填入一个适当的英语单词所填单词要求意
Ihatetogotothezoo.It'stokeepwildanimalsinsuchasma
Let’staketosavethewildanimals.
ZhangJiangxinghasbeenwalkingthroughtheancientfore
Britain’sseedbanktheonlyoneintheworldaimingtocolle
Britain’sseedbanktheonlyoneintheworldaimingtocolle
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Text1 AftertheterroristattacksinAmericalastSeptemberterroristriskbecamethepariahofperils.Theairlineindustrywasmostdirectlyaffectedbytheattacksanditwasthefirsttofindthatnoonewantedtoinsureterroristrisk.Insurancecompaniesimmediatelyincreasedpremiumsandcutcoverforairlines’third-partyterrorandwarliabilitiesto$50mperairlineper"event".UnderpressurefromairlinestheAmericangovernmentandthemembersoftheEuropeanUnionagreedtobecomeinsurersoflastresortforairlines’warandterroristliabilitiesforalimitedperiod.Thesegovernmentguaranteesareduetoexpireattheendofthemonth. TheAmericangovernmenthasalreadyagreedtoextenditsguaranteeforanother60days.TheEU’stransportministersaremeetingnextweekinBrusselstodecidewhattodo.Insurersandre-insurersarekeenforthecommercialmarkettoresumetheprovisionofallairlineinsuranceassoonaspossible.Nowonder:Thepremiumsforsuchcoverhaveinevitablyincreasedconsiderably. Howeverinthecaseofterrorismandespeciallyofterrorismintheskiesanumberofspecialfactorsarise.Somearepurelypractical:adisasterassuddenandunforeseenastheattacksontheWorldTradeCenterhashaddestructiveeffectsontheinsuranceindustry.Themaximumcoverforthird-partyterroristriskavailableintheprimaryaviationmarketisnow$50mandthatisnotnearlyenoughcoverrisksthatareperceivedtobemuchhighersinceSeptember11th.Evenifthemarketcouldoffersufficientcoveranothercatastropheonsuchascalewouldbemorethanthemarketcouldcopewith. Inadditionarareanddevastatingriskofapoliticalnatureisarguablyonethatitisrightforgovernmentstocoveratleastinpart.InthewakeofattacksbyIrishterroriststheBritishgovernmenthasrecognizedthispointbyagreeingtobackamutualfundtocoverriskstopropertyfromterroristattack. Inthecaseoftheairlinestheappropriateanswerissomeformofmutualschemewithgovernmentbacking.Infactunderthecode-name"Equitime"representativesofairlinesinsurersandtheAmericangovernmentaresettingupaninsurancevehicletobefinancedbyairlinesandreinsuredbythegovernment.Governmentswouldguaranteethefund’sexcessriskbuttheirrolewoulddiminishasthefundgrew. SettingsomethingupwilltaketimeSotobridgethegapgovernmentswillhavetoremaininsureroflastresortforairlines’warandterroristriskforsometimetocome. Howdoesthewriterfeelaboutthepresentsituation
Oneofthemostimportantresultsofresearchintoageinghasbeentopinpointthesignificanceofshort-termmemory.Thisfacultyiseasily1asageingadvances.Whatseemsto2isthatinformationisreceivedbythebrain3scansitformeaninginordertodecodeitatsomefuturetime.Itlooksasiftheactual4oftheshort-termmemoryitselfmaynotchangetoomuch5age.Ayoungmanandamaninhislatefiftiesmay6beabletorememberandrepeatan7ofeightnumbersrecitedtothem.Butwhat8changeisthatwhentheoldermanisaskedtorememberanything9betweenthetimeheisfirstgiventhenumberstomemoriseandthetimeheisaskedto10themhewillbemuchlesslikelytorememberthe11numbersthantheyoungman.Thisisbecausethescanningstageismoreeasily12byotheractivitiesin13people. In14livingoneexperiencesthisasafairlyminor15—atelephonenumberforgottenwhileonelooks16anareacodeorthefirstpartof17streetdirectionsconfusedwiththefastbecausethelast’turnlefts’and’turnrights’haveinterfered18rememberingthefirstdirections.Inmoreformallearninghoweverthe19ofshort-termmemoryismorethanjustamildsocialembarrassment.Itcanbeaseriousbartofurther20orindeedtoanyprogressatall. 8
Oneofthemostimportantresultsofresearchintoageinghasbeentopinpointthesignificanceofshort-termmemory.Thisfacultyiseasily1asageingadvances.Whatseemsto2isthatinformationisreceivedbythebrain3scansitformeaninginordertodecodeitatsomefuturetime.Itlooksasiftheactual4oftheshort-termmemoryitselfmaynotchangetoomuch5age.Ayoungmanandamaninhislatefiftiesmay6beabletorememberandrepeatan7ofeightnumbersrecitedtothem.Butwhat8changeisthatwhentheoldermanisaskedtorememberanything9betweenthetimeheisfirstgiventhenumberstomemoriseandthetimeheisaskedto10themhewillbemuchlesslikelytorememberthe11numbersthantheyoungman.Thisisbecausethescanningstageismoreeasily12byotheractivitiesin13people. In14livingoneexperiencesthisasafairlyminor15—atelephonenumberforgottenwhileonelooks16anareacodeorthefirstpartof17streetdirectionsconfusedwiththefastbecausethelast’turnlefts’and’turnrights’haveinterfered18rememberingthefirstdirections.Inmoreformallearninghoweverthe19ofshort-termmemoryismorethanjustamildsocialembarrassment.Itcanbeaseriousbartofurther20orindeedtoanyprogressatall. 20
Text2 Intheendadegreeofsanityprevailed.ThemilitantHinduswhohadvowedtobreachapolicecordonandstarttheworkofbuildingatempletothegodRamatthedisputedsiteofAyodhyadecidedtorespectaSupremeCourtdecisionbarringthemfromthearea.SochargedhaveHindu-MuslimrelationsinIndiabecomeinrecentweeksasthedeclareddeadlineofMarch15thnearedthataclashatRam’ssupposedbirthplacemightwellhaveprovokedbloodshedonanappallingscaleacrossthenation.Ithasunfortunatelyhappenedoftenenoughbefore. Butthethreathasnotvanished.Thecourt’sdecisionisonlyaninterimoneandthemainHindugroupshavenotgivenupontheirquesttobuildtheirtemple.ExtremereligiousviolencewhichseemedinrecentyearstohavefadedaftertheAyodhyarelatedexplosionof19921993isagainafeatureofthepoliticallandscape.ThoughfaultslieonbothsidesitwasaMuslimattackonHindusinatraininGujaratthatstartedtherecentslaughterthegreatbulkofvictimswereasalwaysMuslims.OnceagaineducatedHindusaretobeheardinveighingagainstthe"appeasing"ofMuslimsthroughsuchconcessionsasseparateconstitutionalstatusforKashmirortherighttopracticeIslamiccivillaw.OnceagainthepolicearebeingaccusedofdoinglittleornothingtohelpMuslimvictimsoframpagingHindumobs.OnceagainIndia’s130mMuslimsfeelunequalandunsafeintheirowncountry.FartoomanyHinduswouldrefusetoacceptthatitis"theirowncountry"atall. Thewonderofitperhapsisthatthingsarenotworse.WhiletheworldapplaudsPakistanforatlastlockinguptheleadersofitsextremereligiousgroupsinIndiathezealotsstillsupportsustainandtoadegreeconstitutethegovernment.TheBJPwhichleadstherulingcoalitionwasfoundedasapoliticalfrontfortheHindumovement.ItissimplyoneandbynomeansthedominantmemberofwhatiscalledtheSanghPariwarthe"familyoforganizations".Othermembersofthefamilyaremuchlesssavoury.ThereistheVHOtheWorldHinduOrganizationwhichledthemovementtobuildtheRamtemple.ThereistheBajrangDalthebrutalist"youthwing"oftheVHO.ThereissubstantialevidencethatmembersoftheVHOandtheBajrangDalhelpedtoorganizetheslaughterofhundredsofMuslimsinGujaratafter58HinduswerekilledonatrainastheyreturnedfromAyodhya. WhichofthefollowingstatementsisTRUEaccordingtothetext
Oneofthemostimportantresultsofresearchintoageinghasbeentopinpointthesignificanceofshort-termmemory.Thisfacultyiseasily1asageingadvances.Whatseemsto2isthatinformationisreceivedbythebrain3scansitformeaninginordertodecodeitatsomefuturetime.Itlooksasiftheactual4oftheshort-termmemoryitselfmaynotchangetoomuch5age.Ayoungmanandamaninhislatefiftiesmay6beabletorememberandrepeatan7ofeightnumbersrecitedtothem.Butwhat8changeisthatwhentheoldermanisaskedtorememberanything9betweenthetimeheisfirstgiventhenumberstomemoriseandthetimeheisaskedto10themhewillbemuchlesslikelytorememberthe11numbersthantheyoungman.Thisisbecausethescanningstageismoreeasily12byotheractivitiesin13people. In14livingoneexperiencesthisasafairlyminor15—atelephonenumberforgottenwhileonelooks16anareacodeorthefirstpartof17streetdirectionsconfusedwiththefastbecausethelast’turnlefts’and’turnrights’haveinterfered18rememberingthefirstdirections.Inmoreformallearninghoweverthe19ofshort-termmemoryismorethanjustamildsocialembarrassment.Itcanbeaseriousbartofurther20orindeedtoanyprogressatall. 4
Text2 Intheendadegreeofsanityprevailed.ThemilitantHinduswhohadvowedtobreachapolicecordonandstarttheworkofbuildingatempletothegodRamatthedisputedsiteofAyodhyadecidedtorespectaSupremeCourtdecisionbarringthemfromthearea.SochargedhaveHindu-MuslimrelationsinIndiabecomeinrecentweeksasthedeclareddeadlineofMarch15thnearedthataclashatRam’ssupposedbirthplacemightwellhaveprovokedbloodshedonanappallingscaleacrossthenation.Ithasunfortunatelyhappenedoftenenoughbefore. Butthethreathasnotvanished.Thecourt’sdecisionisonlyaninterimoneandthemainHindugroupshavenotgivenupontheirquesttobuildtheirtemple.ExtremereligiousviolencewhichseemedinrecentyearstohavefadedaftertheAyodhyarelatedexplosionof19921993isagainafeatureofthepoliticallandscape.ThoughfaultslieonbothsidesitwasaMuslimattackonHindusinatraininGujaratthatstartedtherecentslaughterthegreatbulkofvictimswereasalwaysMuslims.OnceagaineducatedHindusaretobeheardinveighingagainstthe"appeasing"ofMuslimsthroughsuchconcessionsasseparateconstitutionalstatusforKashmirortherighttopracticeIslamiccivillaw.OnceagainthepolicearebeingaccusedofdoinglittleornothingtohelpMuslimvictimsoframpagingHindumobs.OnceagainIndia’s130mMuslimsfeelunequalandunsafeintheirowncountry.FartoomanyHinduswouldrefusetoacceptthatitis"theirowncountry"atall. Thewonderofitperhapsisthatthingsarenotworse.WhiletheworldapplaudsPakistanforatlastlockinguptheleadersofitsextremereligiousgroupsinIndiathezealotsstillsupportsustainandtoadegreeconstitutethegovernment.TheBJPwhichleadstherulingcoalitionwasfoundedasapoliticalfrontfortheHindumovement.ItissimplyoneandbynomeansthedominantmemberofwhatiscalledtheSanghPariwarthe"familyoforganizations".Othermembersofthefamilyaremuchlesssavoury.ThereistheVHOtheWorldHinduOrganizationwhichledthemovementtobuildtheRamtemple.ThereistheBajrangDalthebrutalist"youthwing"oftheVHO.ThereissubstantialevidencethatmembersoftheVHOandtheBajrangDalhelpedtoorganizetheslaughterofhundredsofMuslimsinGujaratafter58HinduswerekilledonatrainastheyreturnedfromAyodhya. TowardstheissueofHindu-Muslimrelationsthewriter'sattitudecanbesaidtobe
[A]Thegoldenwedding-ringwasputonherfinger [B]Theforeigngroomandthelocalbride [C]Angelschildrenescortingthebride [D]Weddinghall [E]Templeandatheisticgroom [F]Townhallahappybrideandgroom Ornamentingthetwofingersisonlythefirststepofthe"longmarch".Angelwasneverasoverloadedastodayrunningfromheretotherebusyorderinginvitationcardsandweddingclothesbookingchurchandrestaurantcheckingavailabilityofthephotographerthepastorandtheofficialinthetownhalllookingforanewhome.Shewashappyandexcited.Howeverthislongweddingpreparationprocessloadeddownwithtrivialdetailsgavemeabigheadache.InFrancemoreandmoreFrenchcohabitinsteadofmarrying.Howeverwhentheydecidetomarrytheystilltaketheirweddingceremonyseriouslyandusuallyfollowtheneverchangingthreetraditionalchapters. 41.__________ Thethirdchapteristheweddingbreakfastfollowedbyadance.Thefirstandthesecondchapterarethecivilweddingandthechurchwedding.Afterthechurchweddingthenewly-wedsnormallyinvitetheirparentsandfriendstotakepartinasumptuousmealanddanceintheevening.Afterchampagneflutesareraisedallaroundthedancingstarts.Thenewly-wedstaketheleaddancinglightlyandfinishtheeveningbytiredlytrippingintotheirbridalchamberandthusterminatethelastchapteroftheFrenchmarriage. 42.__________ Igrewupinthelastseventiesandearlyeightiesthe"simplewedding"advocatedbytheChinesegovernmenthadbeeningrainedinmymind.OnedayfinallyIcouldnothelprevealingmywishforasimplewedding:"Darlingyourweddingplansarefartoolongandover-elaborate.Let’ssimplifythemandreducethreechapterstoonlyone.It’senoughtogetmarriedinthetownhall!""No!Marriageisthemostimportanteventinmylife.Iwanttomakeitgrandandunforgettable."Angelrefusedtoconcede.HoweverIreallywantedtoescapethechurchwedding."HoneyIwasn’tbaptizedandbeinganatheistIamnotallowedtogotochurch.Achurchweddingisaburdenforanatheistlikemeandthechurchweddingforanatheistisalsoagainstchurchrules!"IpresentedmyviewsvehementlybelievingIhadthebestexcuseintheworld."Mydearmarriageisasacredaffair;wemustgotothechurch.Youareonlyawareofoneaspectofathingbutignorantofanother.IamaProtestant;therearenostrictcanonsandmumbo-jumbosinProtestantism.IfoneofthetwoisProtestanttheyarestillallowedtomarryinaProtestantchurch."Iwasrenderedspeechless. 43.__________ Thesacredmomentarrived.Theforeigngroomandthelocalbridesurroundedbyherfamilymembersarrivedatthemarriagehall."Doyoutakethiswomanasyourwife""Yes!"Amyriadofthoughtswelledupinmymind:"I’dquitmyhighlycovetedjobinChinaandgonethroughinnumerabletrialsandtribulationstocometoEuropetojoinmyChineseloverbutIwasjilted.NowI’dfoundanoasisoflovebutfarfrommyhomelandThegirlwithmetodaythoughfromadifferentculturalbackgroundwithadifferentwayofthinkingandbehavingissimplepureandkind-heartedlikeanangel.I’dsufferedfromthewanderinglifeinEurope.Butaftersufferingcomeshappiness.Inafewminutesshewillproclaimtheendofmywanderingandhomelesslife."FullofdeepfeelingIgazedatthiswesternbeautyshiningwithdazzlingsplendorandheldherhandtightinmine. 44.__________ "Doyoutakethismanasyourhusband"BrimmingwithtearschokingwithsobsAngelnoddedherapproval.BeingatraditionalFrenchgirlshe’dneverexpectedthatshewouldhavefallenintothetemptationofthe"goodbutcheapChinesemerchandise"beforeherandwouldhavecrossedthefrontierbetweenChineseandFrenchculturestomarryamanwithanexoticaccentandaflatnose! 45.__________ ThechurchwasresoundingwiththeweddingsonataangelandIwalkeduptothepastortotheheatofthemusic.Handinhandheartwithheartfulloftenderaffectionwegavealltherightanswerstohisquestions.Thegoldenweddingringonherleftfingerandpairedupwithherengagementringontherightringfingerbothcomplementingeachother’s’radianceandbeauty.Angelnowwithtworingsbecameareal"valuable"bride.Sheslippedmyfingerwithasimpleringontomyfingerandatthesametimecapturingmywanderingheart. ThateveningItheforeigngroomwithmyErrutwo-stringedChineseviolintogetherwithAngelthelocalbridewithherviolinsuccessfullyperformedthemostbeautifulconcertoofcross-bordermarriage."Thatspringiscomingtheearthissmiling..."thehallwasresoundingtothestrainsofStrauss’joyfulwaltzwhileweweretrippingawayinadance.Attheclimaxofthemusicweswirledsoquicklythatbothofusfeltourselvesswoonintheglamourofourcrossbordermarriage. 42
Text2 TeachersgrumbleoverpayeverywherebutinWestVirginiaWesleyanCollegetheangerisacute.Salariesherehavebarelymovedsince2000andtheaverageassistantprofessor’spayhasfallenbelowthatatSouthernWestVirginiaCommunityandTechnicalCollege.Onacampuswithjust86full-timefacultyasociologyprofessorsaidafewhundredthousanddollarsmorespentonteachingcouldmakearealdifference. WesleyanPresidentWilliamHadensaysthecollegeplanstoraisefacultypay.ButhesaysWesleyanisnothingwithoutstudents—"theyvotewiththeirfeet"—andthecollegehasnochoicebuttoaddresstheirwantsandneeds.Hesaystechnologyhasbeenabigpartofthatandsomerecentgraduatesagreethatit’svaluable—thoughmaybenotessential.DanielSimmonsa1999graduateandalsoamiddle-schoolteacherpraisedthetechnologyprogram."IfIhadgonetoanotherschoolitwouldn’thavebeenavailabletome"hesaid."Itwasveryconvenientanditwastopoftheline." ButaswiththefacultythequalityofhumaninstructorsisabigconcernamongWesleyanalumni."Alittlebitmoremoneyshouldhavebeenputintokeepingpeople"saidEvanKeelinga2002graduatenowpursuingadoctorateattheUniversityofVirginia.HefoundthequalityintheclassroomunevenandnotablyneitherhenortheDanielSimmonscametoWesleyanbecauseoftechnology.Theprogramwasabonusnottheprimarydraw.Skinnerthedirectorofadmissionandfinancialplanningacknowledgedthatseemswidelytrue.Prospectivestudentspaymoreattentiontomoretangiblesignsofgrowth."ItdidopensomedoorsforusbutwouldIhavelikedtohavehadanewresidencehallorrecreationalfacilityIprobablywouldhavepreferredthat"Skinnersaid.Hisdailystruggleremainsfillingthefreshmanclasswhichmaybedown50peopleormorethisyearduetochangesingovernmentfinancialaidprogramsandtheshutteringofthenursingprogram.Thecollegestillacceptsabout80percentofitsapplicantsandnolongerrequiresonlineapplications. Hadenacknowledgesthatwiththebenefitofhindsighthemighthavehandleddetailsofhowtheprogramwasfinanceddifferently.ButhemakesnoapologiesfortakingboldstepswhichhesayshaveindeedsetWesleyanapart."Weneededtomakeastatementaboutourcommitmenttotechnologyandourbeliefthatitwouldenhancethequalityofeducationandthepreparationofourstudents"hesaid.’"AndI’mstillbelievingthat." Accordingtothepassagewhichofthefollowingistrue
Oneofthemostimportantresultsofresearchintoageinghasbeentopinpointthesignificanceofshort-termmemory.Thisfacultyiseasily1asageingadvances.Whatseemsto2isthatinformationisreceivedbythebrain3scansitformeaninginordertodecodeitatsomefuturetime.Itlooksasiftheactual4oftheshort-termmemoryitselfmaynotchangetoomuch5age.Ayoungmanandamaninhislatefiftiesmay6beabletorememberandrepeatan7ofeightnumbersrecitedtothem.Butwhat8changeisthatwhentheoldermanisaskedtorememberanything9betweenthetimeheisfirstgiventhenumberstomemoriseandthetimeheisaskedto10themhewillbemuchlesslikelytorememberthe11numbersthantheyoungman.Thisisbecausethescanningstageismoreeasily12byotheractivitiesin13people. In14livingoneexperiencesthisasafairlyminor15—atelephonenumberforgottenwhileonelooks16anareacodeorthefirstpartof17streetdirectionsconfusedwiththefastbecausethelast’turnlefts’and’turnrights’haveinterfered18rememberingthefirstdirections.Inmoreformallearninghoweverthe19ofshort-termmemoryismorethanjustamildsocialembarrassment.Itcanbeaseriousbartofurther20orindeedtoanyprogressatall. 6
Text2 Intheendadegreeofsanityprevailed.ThemilitantHinduswhohadvowedtobreachapolicecordonandstarttheworkofbuildingatempletothegodRamatthedisputedsiteofAyodhyadecidedtorespectaSupremeCourtdecisionbarringthemfromthearea.SochargedhaveHindu-MuslimrelationsinIndiabecomeinrecentweeksasthedeclareddeadlineofMarch15thnearedthataclashatRam’ssupposedbirthplacemightwellhaveprovokedbloodshedonanappallingscaleacrossthenation.Ithasunfortunatelyhappenedoftenenoughbefore. Butthethreathasnotvanished.Thecourt’sdecisionisonlyaninterimoneandthemainHindugroupshavenotgivenupontheirquesttobuildtheirtemple.ExtremereligiousviolencewhichseemedinrecentyearstohavefadedaftertheAyodhyarelatedexplosionof19921993isagainafeatureofthepoliticallandscape.ThoughfaultslieonbothsidesitwasaMuslimattackonHindusinatraininGujaratthatstartedtherecentslaughterthegreatbulkofvictimswereasalwaysMuslims.OnceagaineducatedHindusaretobeheardinveighingagainstthe"appeasing"ofMuslimsthroughsuchconcessionsasseparateconstitutionalstatusforKashmirortherighttopracticeIslamiccivillaw.OnceagainthepolicearebeingaccusedofdoinglittleornothingtohelpMuslimvictimsoframpagingHindumobs.OnceagainIndia’s130mMuslimsfeelunequalandunsafeintheirowncountry.FartoomanyHinduswouldrefusetoacceptthatitis"theirowncountry"atall. Thewonderofitperhapsisthatthingsarenotworse.WhiletheworldapplaudsPakistanforatlastlockinguptheleadersofitsextremereligiousgroupsinIndiathezealotsstillsupportsustainandtoadegreeconstitutethegovernment.TheBJPwhichleadstherulingcoalitionwasfoundedasapoliticalfrontfortheHindumovement.ItissimplyoneandbynomeansthedominantmemberofwhatiscalledtheSanghPariwarthe"familyoforganizations".Othermembersofthefamilyaremuchlesssavoury.ThereistheVHOtheWorldHinduOrganizationwhichledthemovementtobuildtheRamtemple.ThereistheBajrangDalthebrutalist"youthwing"oftheVHO.ThereissubstantialevidencethatmembersoftheVHOandtheBajrangDalhelpedtoorganizetheslaughterofhundredsofMuslimsinGujaratafter58HinduswerekilledonatrainastheyreturnedfromAyodhya. WhatdoesthewriterwantstoillustratewithaMuslimattackonHindusonatraininGujarat
Allobjectsofhumanreasonorinquirymaynaturallybedividedintotwokindstowitrelationsofideasandmattersoffact.46Ofthefirstkindarethesciencesofgeometryalgebraandarithmetic;andinshorteveryaffirmationwhichiseitherintuitivelyordemonstrativelycertain.Thatthesquareofthehypothenuseisequaltothesquaresofthetwosidesisapropositionwhichexpressesarelationbetweenthesefigures.47Propositionsofthiskindarediscoverablebythemereoperationofthoughtwithoutdependenceonwhatisanywhereexistentintheuniverse.ThoughthereneverwereacircleortriangleinnaturethetruthsdemonstratedbyEuclidwouldforeverretaintheircertaintyandevidence. Mattersoffactwhicharethesecondobjectsofhumanreasonarenotascertainedinthesamemanner;norisourevidenceoftheirtruthhowevergreatofalikenaturewiththeforegoing.Thecontraryofeverymatteroffactisstillpossible;becauseitcanneverimplyacontradictionandisconceivedbythemindwiththesamefacilityanddistinctnessasifeversoconformabletoreality.48Thatthesunwillnotrisetomorrowisnolessintelligibleapropositionandimpliesnomorecontradictionthantheaffirmationthatitwillrise.Weshouldinvainthereforeattempttodemonstrateitsfalsehood.Wereitdemonstrativelyfalseitwouldimplyacontradictionandcouldneverhedistinctlyconceivedbythemind. Itmaythereforebeasubjectworthyofcuriositytoinquirewhatisthenatureofthatevidencewhichassuresusofanyrealexistenceadmatteroffactbeyondthepresenttestimonyofoursensesortherecordsofourmemory.49Thispartofphilosophyitisobservablehasbeenlittlecultivatedeitherbytheancientsormoderns;andthereforeourdoubtsanderrorsintheprosecutionofsoimportantaninquirymaybethemoreexcusable;whilewemarchthroughsuchdifficultpathswithoutanyguideordirection.50TheymayevenproveusefulByexcitingcuriosityanddestroyingthatimplicitfaithandsecuritywhichisthepoisonofallreasoningandfreeinquiry.ThediscoveryofdefectsinthecommonphilosophyifanysuchtherebewillnotIpresumebeadiscouragementbutratheranincitementasisusualtoattemptsomethingmorefullandsatisfactorythanhasyetbeenproposedtothepublic. Thatthesunwillnotrisetomorrowisnolessintelligibleapropositionandimpliesnomorecontradictionthantheaffirmationthatitwillrise.
Imaginebeingaskedtospendtwelveorsoyearsofyourlifeinasocietywhichconsistedonlyofmembersofyourownsex.Howwouldyou1Unlesstherewas2definitelywrongwithyouyouwouldn’tbetoohappyaboutitto3theleast.Itisallthe4surprisingthereforethatsomanyparentsintheworldchoosetoimposesuch5conditions6theirchildren--conditionswhichtheythemselveswouldn’tputupwithforoneminute! Anydiscussionofthistopicis7toquestiontheaimsofeducation.Stuffingchildren’sheadsfullofknowledgeis8beingforemostamongthem.Oneofthechiefaimsofeducationisto9futurecitizenswithalltheyrequireto10theirplaceinadultsociety.Nowadultsocietyismadeupofmenandwomensohowcanasegregatedschool11offertherightkindofpreparationforitAnyoneenteringadultsocietyafteryearsofsegregationcanonlybeinfora12. Aco-educationalschoolofferschildrennothing13atrue14ofsocietyinminiature.Boysandgirlsaregiventhe15togettoknoweachothertolearntolivetogetherfromtheirearliestyears.Theyareputinapositionwheretheycancomparethemselveswitheachother16academicabilityathleticachievementandmanyoftheextracurricularactivitieswhichare17ofschoollife.Whata18advantageitistogivejustanexampletobeabletoputonaschoolplayinwhichthemalepartswillbetakenbyboysandthefemalepartsbygirls!What19co-educationmakesoftheargumentthatboysareclevererthangirlsorvice-versa.Whensegregatedboysandgirlsaremadetofeelthattheyarearaceapart.20betweenthesexesisfostered.Inaco-educationalschooleverythingfallsintoitsproperplace. Readtilefollowingtext.ChoosethebestwordsforeachnumberedblankandmarkABCorDonANSWERSHEET1.20
Text1 TheJapanesegovernmentwantswomenlikeTaekoMizuguchitogetmarriedandstartdoingsomethingaboutthenation’splungingbirthrate.Butshe’snotinterested.AtleastnotifherprospectivehusbandisJapanese. AgrowingnumberofJapanesewomenaregivingupontheirmalecounterpartsandtakingagamblethatlookingabroadforlovewillbringthemthequalitiesinapartnerthatseemrareathome."Theytreatyoulikeequalsandtheydon’thesitatetoexpressmutualfeelingsofrespect—IthinkWesternmenaremoreadeptatsuchthingsthanJapanesemen"saysthe36-year-oldMs.Mizuguchiwhoworksatatoptradingfirm."Theydon’tactlikewomenaremaids—Ithinktheyviewwomenasindividuals." UnderscoringthatJapanesewomenarelosinghopewiththelocalboysdatingagenciestohelpsnagaWesternhusbandhavesprungupinTokyosomewithbranchesintheUSandEurope.Suchcompaniesrigorouslyvettheirclientsscreeningforeducationfamilybackgroundoccupationandlifegoals.Thekindofwomenwhosignupforsuchservicesincludedoctorslawyersandotherprofessionals—womenwhohavedelayedmarriagetoconcentrateoncareersandwhoaren’tkeentogiveuphardwongainstobecomeahousewifeasmanyJapanesemenexpect.Agenerationofwomenwhoarenowenteringtheir30sdon’twanttogiveupsinglelifeunlessprospectivepartnersarewillingtobreakfromtraditionalgenderroles. Governmentpollsconductedtofindoutwhywomenhaveputoffmarriageuntilwellafter25yearsofage—knownasawoman’s"’bestbefore’date"—showthateconomicindependenceiskeytothechange.AsmostJapanesewomenhavetheirownincomemarriageisnolongerafinancialnecessityandwomenwanttofindcompanionshipinahusband.Havingruledoutanold-fashionedJapanesehusbandmanywomenherethinkthesolutionisaWesternman.Indeedsomeseemsoenthralledwiththeideathattheyarewillingtospend’thousandsofdollarstoinspectthewarespersonally. TobefairnotalltheblameforfemaleangstherecanbelaidonJapanesemenThegovernmenthasbeenslowtoenforceequalopportunitylawsandbothpayandtheglassceilingin’mostJapanesecorporationsremainlowforwomen.Recessionhashamperedlongermaternityleaveandotherfamilyfriendlypolicies.AsJapan’sfertilityratedropstonewlowsthegovernmentisanxiouslydrawingupplanstomakeiteasierforyoungcouplestoraisechildrenthroughsuchmeasuresastheprovisionofcheappublichoming. Wecaninferfromthethirdparagraphthatthedatingagency
Allobjectsofhumanreasonorinquirymaynaturallybedividedintotwokindstowitrelationsofideasandmattersoffact.46Ofthefirstkindarethesciencesofgeometryalgebraandarithmetic;andinshorteveryaffirmationwhichiseitherintuitivelyordemonstrativelycertain.Thatthesquareofthehypothenuseisequaltothesquaresofthetwosidesisapropositionwhichexpressesarelationbetweenthesefigures.47Propositionsofthiskindarediscoverablebythemereoperationofthoughtwithoutdependenceonwhatisanywhereexistentintheuniverse.ThoughthereneverwereacircleortriangleinnaturethetruthsdemonstratedbyEuclidwouldforeverretaintheircertaintyandevidence. Mattersoffactwhicharethesecondobjectsofhumanreasonarenotascertainedinthesamemanner;norisourevidenceoftheirtruthhowevergreatofalikenaturewiththeforegoing.Thecontraryofeverymatteroffactisstillpossible;becauseitcanneverimplyacontradictionandisconceivedbythemindwiththesamefacilityanddistinctnessasifeversoconformabletoreality.48Thatthesunwillnotrisetomorrowisnolessintelligibleapropositionandimpliesnomorecontradictionthantheaffirmationthatitwillrise.Weshouldinvainthereforeattempttodemonstrateitsfalsehood.Wereitdemonstrativelyfalseitwouldimplyacontradictionandcouldneverhedistinctlyconceivedbythemind. Itmaythereforebeasubjectworthyofcuriositytoinquirewhatisthenatureofthatevidencewhichassuresusofanyrealexistenceadmatteroffactbeyondthepresenttestimonyofoursensesortherecordsofourmemory.49Thispartofphilosophyitisobservablehasbeenlittlecultivatedeitherbytheancientsormoderns;andthereforeourdoubtsanderrorsintheprosecutionofsoimportantaninquirymaybethemoreexcusable;whilewemarchthroughsuchdifficultpathswithoutanyguideordirection.50TheymayevenproveusefulByexcitingcuriosityanddestroyingthatimplicitfaithandsecuritywhichisthepoisonofallreasoningandfreeinquiry.ThediscoveryofdefectsinthecommonphilosophyifanysuchtherebewillnotIpresumebeadiscouragementbutratheranincitementasisusualtoattemptsomethingmorefullandsatisfactorythanhasyetbeenproposedtothepublic. TheymayevenproveusefulByexcitingcuriosityanddestroyingthatimplicitfaithandsecuritywhichisthepoisonofallreasoningandfreeinquiry.
Text1 AftertheterroristattacksinAmericalastSeptemberterroristriskbecamethepariahofperils.Theairlineindustrywasmostdirectlyaffectedbytheattacksanditwasthefirsttofindthatnoonewantedtoinsureterroristrisk.Insurancecompaniesimmediatelyincreasedpremiumsandcutcoverforairlines’third-partyterrorandwarliabilitiesto$50mperairlineper"event".UnderpressurefromairlinestheAmericangovernmentandthemembersoftheEuropeanUnionagreedtobecomeinsurersoflastresortforairlines’warandterroristliabilitiesforalimitedperiod.Thesegovernmentguaranteesareduetoexpireattheendofthemonth. TheAmericangovernmenthasalreadyagreedtoextenditsguaranteeforanother60days.TheEU’stransportministersaremeetingnextweekinBrusselstodecidewhattodo.Insurersandre-insurersarekeenforthecommercialmarkettoresumetheprovisionofallairlineinsuranceassoonaspossible.Nowonder:Thepremiumsforsuchcoverhaveinevitablyincreasedconsiderably. Howeverinthecaseofterrorismandespeciallyofterrorismintheskiesanumberofspecialfactorsarise.Somearepurelypractical:adisasterassuddenandunforeseenastheattacksontheWorldTradeCenterhashaddestructiveeffectsontheinsuranceindustry.Themaximumcoverforthird-partyterroristriskavailableintheprimaryaviationmarketisnow$50mandthatisnotnearlyenoughcoverrisksthatareperceivedtobemuchhighersinceSeptember11th.Evenifthemarketcouldoffersufficientcoveranothercatastropheonsuchascalewouldbemorethanthemarketcouldcopewith. Inadditionarareanddevastatingriskofapoliticalnatureisarguablyonethatitisrightforgovernmentstocoveratleastinpart.InthewakeofattacksbyIrishterroriststheBritishgovernmenthasrecognizedthispointbyagreeingtobackamutualfundtocoverriskstopropertyfromterroristattack. Inthecaseoftheairlinestheappropriateanswerissomeformofmutualschemewithgovernmentbacking.Infactunderthecode-name"Equitime"representativesofairlinesinsurersandtheAmericangovernmentaresettingupaninsurancevehicletobefinancedbyairlinesandreinsuredbythegovernment.Governmentswouldguaranteethefund’sexcessriskbuttheirrolewoulddiminishasthefundgrew. SettingsomethingupwilltaketimeSotobridgethegapgovernmentswillhavetoremaininsureroflastresortforairlines’warandterroristriskforsometimetocome. Intheeyesofthewriterthecurrentinsuranceindustryalone
[A]Thegoldenwedding-ringwasputonherfinger [B]Theforeigngroomandthelocalbride [C]Angelschildrenescortingthebride [D]Weddinghall [E]Templeandatheisticgroom [F]Townhallahappybrideandgroom Ornamentingthetwofingersisonlythefirststepofthe"longmarch".Angelwasneverasoverloadedastodayrunningfromheretotherebusyorderinginvitationcardsandweddingclothesbookingchurchandrestaurantcheckingavailabilityofthephotographerthepastorandtheofficialinthetownhalllookingforanewhome.Shewashappyandexcited.Howeverthislongweddingpreparationprocessloadeddownwithtrivialdetailsgavemeabigheadache.InFrancemoreandmoreFrenchcohabitinsteadofmarrying.Howeverwhentheydecidetomarrytheystilltaketheirweddingceremonyseriouslyandusuallyfollowtheneverchangingthreetraditionalchapters. 41.__________ Thethirdchapteristheweddingbreakfastfollowedbyadance.Thefirstandthesecondchapterarethecivilweddingandthechurchwedding.Afterthechurchweddingthenewly-wedsnormallyinvitetheirparentsandfriendstotakepartinasumptuousmealanddanceintheevening.Afterchampagneflutesareraisedallaroundthedancingstarts.Thenewly-wedstaketheleaddancinglightlyandfinishtheeveningbytiredlytrippingintotheirbridalchamberandthusterminatethelastchapteroftheFrenchmarriage. 42.__________ Igrewupinthelastseventiesandearlyeightiesthe"simplewedding"advocatedbytheChinesegovernmenthadbeeningrainedinmymind.OnedayfinallyIcouldnothelprevealingmywishforasimplewedding:"Darlingyourweddingplansarefartoolongandover-elaborate.Let’ssimplifythemandreducethreechapterstoonlyone.It’senoughtogetmarriedinthetownhall!""No!Marriageisthemostimportanteventinmylife.Iwanttomakeitgrandandunforgettable."Angelrefusedtoconcede.HoweverIreallywantedtoescapethechurchwedding."HoneyIwasn’tbaptizedandbeinganatheistIamnotallowedtogotochurch.Achurchweddingisaburdenforanatheistlikemeandthechurchweddingforanatheistisalsoagainstchurchrules!"IpresentedmyviewsvehementlybelievingIhadthebestexcuseintheworld."Mydearmarriageisasacredaffair;wemustgotothechurch.Youareonlyawareofoneaspectofathingbutignorantofanother.IamaProtestant;therearenostrictcanonsandmumbo-jumbosinProtestantism.IfoneofthetwoisProtestanttheyarestillallowedtomarryinaProtestantchurch."Iwasrenderedspeechless. 43.__________ Thesacredmomentarrived.Theforeigngroomandthelocalbridesurroundedbyherfamilymembersarrivedatthemarriagehall."Doyoutakethiswomanasyourwife""Yes!"Amyriadofthoughtswelledupinmymind:"I’dquitmyhighlycovetedjobinChinaandgonethroughinnumerabletrialsandtribulationstocometoEuropetojoinmyChineseloverbutIwasjilted.NowI’dfoundanoasisoflovebutfarfrommyhomelandThegirlwithmetodaythoughfromadifferentculturalbackgroundwithadifferentwayofthinkingandbehavingissimplepureandkind-heartedlikeanangel.I’dsufferedfromthewanderinglifeinEurope.Butaftersufferingcomeshappiness.Inafewminutesshewillproclaimtheendofmywanderingandhomelesslife."FullofdeepfeelingIgazedatthiswesternbeautyshiningwithdazzlingsplendorandheldherhandtightinmine. 44.__________ "Doyoutakethismanasyourhusband"BrimmingwithtearschokingwithsobsAngelnoddedherapproval.BeingatraditionalFrenchgirlshe’dneverexpectedthatshewouldhavefallenintothetemptationofthe"goodbutcheapChinesemerchandise"beforeherandwouldhavecrossedthefrontierbetweenChineseandFrenchculturestomarryamanwithanexoticaccentandaflatnose! 45.__________ ThechurchwasresoundingwiththeweddingsonataangelandIwalkeduptothepastortotheheatofthemusic.Handinhandheartwithheartfulloftenderaffectionwegavealltherightanswerstohisquestions.Thegoldenweddingringonherleftfingerandpairedupwithherengagementringontherightringfingerbothcomplementingeachother’s’radianceandbeauty.Angelnowwithtworingsbecameareal"valuable"bride.Sheslippedmyfingerwithasimpleringontomyfingerandatthesametimecapturingmywanderingheart. ThateveningItheforeigngroomwithmyErrutwo-stringedChineseviolintogetherwithAngelthelocalbridewithherviolinsuccessfullyperformedthemostbeautifulconcertoofcross-bordermarriage."Thatspringiscomingtheearthissmiling..."thehallwasresoundingtothestrainsofStrauss’joyfulwaltzwhileweweretrippingawayinadance.Attheclimaxofthemusicweswirledsoquicklythatbothofusfeltourselvesswoonintheglamourofourcrossbordermarriage. 44
Oneofthemostimportantresultsofresearchintoageinghasbeentopinpointthesignificanceofshort-termmemory.Thisfacultyiseasily1asageingadvances.Whatseemsto2isthatinformationisreceivedbythebrain3scansitformeaninginordertodecodeitatsomefuturetime.Itlooksasiftheactual4oftheshort-termmemoryitselfmaynotchangetoomuch5age.Ayoungmanandamaninhislatefiftiesmay6beabletorememberandrepeatan7ofeightnumbersrecitedtothem.Butwhat8changeisthatwhentheoldermanisaskedtorememberanything9betweenthetimeheisfirstgiventhenumberstomemoriseandthetimeheisaskedto10themhewillbemuchlesslikelytorememberthe11numbersthantheyoungman.Thisisbecausethescanningstageismoreeasily12byotheractivitiesin13people. In14livingoneexperiencesthisasafairlyminor15—atelephonenumberforgottenwhileonelooks16anareacodeorthefirstpartof17streetdirectionsconfusedwiththefastbecausethelast’turnlefts’and’turnrights’haveinterfered18rememberingthefirstdirections.Inmoreformallearninghoweverthe19ofshort-termmemoryismorethanjustamildsocialembarrassment.Itcanbeaseriousbartofurther20orindeedtoanyprogressatall. 10
Text4 America’scentralbanksentaclearmessagethisweek.ForthesecondconsecutivemeetingtheFederalOpenMarketCommitteethecentralbank’spolicy-makingcommitteeleftshort-terminterestratesunchangedat1.75%.Butitsaidthattherisksfacingtheeconomyhadshiftedfromeconomicweaknesstoabalancebetweenweaknessandexcessivegrowth.Thisshiftsurprisednoone.Butithasconvincedmanypeoplethatinterestratesaresettoriseagain--andsoon. Judgingbypricesinfuturesmarketsinvestorsarebettingthatshort-terminterestratescouldstartrisingasearlyasMayandwillbe1.25percentagepointshigherbytheendoftheyear.Thatmaybeexcessive.EconomistsatGoldmanSachswholongarguedthatthecentralbankwoulddonothingthisyearnowexpectshort-termratestogouponly0.75%thisyearstartinginJune.ButvirtuallyeveryonereckonssomeFedtighteningisinthefuture. ThereasonAfteranunprecedented11rate-cutsin2001short-terminterestratesareabnormallylow.AsthesignsofrobustrecoverymultiplyanalystsexpecttheFedtotakebacksomeoftherate-cutsitusedasan"insurancepolicy"aftertheSeptember11thterroristattack.Buthigherratescouldstillbefurtheroffparticularlyiftherecoveryproveslessrobustthanmanyhope.Themanufacturingsectorisgrowingafter18monthsofdecline.ThemostoptimisticWallStreetersnowexpectGDPtohaveexpandedbybetween5%and6%onanannualbasisinthefirstquarter. Butonestrongquarterdoesnotimplyasustainablerecovery.Intheshorttermthebounce-backisbeingdrivenbyadramaticrestockingofinventories.Butitcanbesustainedonlyifcorporateinvestmentrecoversandconsumerspendingstaysbuoyant.Andsinceconsumerspendingheldupsowellduringthe"recession"itisunlikelytojumpnow. Theseuncertaintiesalonesuggestthecentralbankwillbecautiousaboutraisinginterestrates.Thatcautionisallthemorenecessarygiventhelackofinflationarypressure.AlthoughAmerica’sconsumerpriceshavestoppedfallingonamonthlybasisthelatestfiguresshowfewsignsofnascentpricepressure.IndeedgiventhehugepressureoncorporateprofitstheFederalReservemightbehappytoseeconsumerpricesriseslightly.InshortwhileWallStreetfretsaboutwhenandhowmuchinterestrateswillgoup.Theanswermaywellbenotsoonandnotmuch. TheAmericancentralbankwasreluctanttoraiseinterestratesbecause
Text3 WhenitcomestosuingdoctorsPhiladelphiaishardlythecityofbrotherlylove.AcombinationofsprightlylawyersandsympatheticjurieshasmadePhiladelphiaahotspotformedical-malpracticelawsuits.Since1995Pennsylvaniastatecourtshaveawardedanaverageof$2minsuchcasesaccordingtoJuryVerdictResearchasurveyfirm.Somemedicalspecialistshaveseentheirmalpracticeinsurancepremiumsnearlydoubleoverthepastyear.Obstetriciansarenowpayingupto$104000ayeartoprotectthemselves. Theinsuranceindustryislargelytoblame.CarolGolintheMonitor’seditorarguesthatinthe1990sinsurerstriedtograbmarketsharebyofferingartificiallylowratesbettingthatanylosseswouldbecoveredbygainsontheirinvestments.Thestock-marketcorrectioncoupledwiththelargelegalawardshaserodedtheinsurers’reserves.ThreeinPennsylvaniaalonehavegonebust. Afewdoctors--particularlyolderoneswillquit.Therestareadapting.Someareabandoninglitigation-proneproceduressuchasdeliveringbabies.Othersaremovingpartsoftheirpracticetoneighboringstateswhereinsuranceratesarelower.SomefromPennsylvaniahaveopenedofficesinNewJersey.Newdoctorsmayalsobedeterredfromsettingupshopinlitigationhavenshoweverprestigious. DespiteaRepublicanpresidenttortreformhasgotnowhereatthefederallevel.IndeeddoctorscouldgetclobberedindirectlybyaPatients’BillofRightswhichwouldfurtherexposemanagedcarecompaniestolawsuits.ThisprospecthasfuelledinterestamongdoctorsinPennsylvania’snewmedicalmalpracticereformbillwhichwassignedintolawonMarch20th.Itwillamongotherthingsgivedoctors$40mofstatefundstooffsettheirinsurancepremiumsspreadthepaymentofawardsoutovertimeandprohibitindividualsfromdoubledippingthatissuingadoctorfordamagesthathavealreadybeenpaidbytheirhealthinsurer. ButwillitreallyhelpRandallBovbjergahealthpolicyexpertattheUrbanInstitutearguesthattheonlyproperwaytoslowdownthelitigationmachinewouldbetolimitthecompensationforpainandsufferingso-called"non-monetarydamages".Needlesstosayafixedcaponsuchawardsisresistedbymosttriallawyers.ButMr.Bovbjergreckonsamorenuancedapproachwithaslidingscaleofpaymentsbasedonwell-definedmeasuresofinjuryisabetterwayforward.Inthemeantimedoctorsandinsurersarebracingthemselvesforacouplemoreroughyearsbeforetheinsurancecycleturns. Nobodydisputesthathospitalstaffmakemistakes:a1999InstituteofMedicinereportclaimedthaterrorskillatleast44000patientsayear.Butthereislittleevidencethatmalpracticelawsuitsontheirownwillsolvetheproblem. Itseemsthattheauthorisverycriticalof
Oneofthemostimportantresultsofresearchintoageinghasbeentopinpointthesignificanceofshort-termmemory.Thisfacultyiseasily1asageingadvances.Whatseemsto2isthatinformationisreceivedbythebrain3scansitformeaninginordertodecodeitatsomefuturetime.Itlooksasiftheactual4oftheshort-termmemoryitselfmaynotchangetoomuch5age.Ayoungmanandamaninhislatefiftiesmay6beabletorememberandrepeatan7ofeightnumbersrecitedtothem.Butwhat8changeisthatwhentheoldermanisaskedtorememberanything9betweenthetimeheisfirstgiventhenumberstomemoriseandthetimeheisaskedto10themhewillbemuchlesslikelytorememberthe11numbersthantheyoungman.Thisisbecausethescanningstageismoreeasily12byotheractivitiesin13people. In14livingoneexperiencesthisasafairlyminor15—atelephonenumberforgottenwhileonelooks16anareacodeorthefirstpartof17streetdirectionsconfusedwiththefastbecausethelast’turnlefts’and’turnrights’haveinterfered18rememberingthefirstdirections.Inmoreformallearninghoweverthe19ofshort-termmemoryismorethanjustamildsocialembarrassment.Itcanbeaseriousbartofurther20orindeedtoanyprogressatall. 12
Text4 America’scentralbanksentaclearmessagethisweek.ForthesecondconsecutivemeetingtheFederalOpenMarketCommitteethecentralbank’spolicy-makingcommitteeleftshort-terminterestratesunchangedat1.75%.Butitsaidthattherisksfacingtheeconomyhadshiftedfromeconomicweaknesstoabalancebetweenweaknessandexcessivegrowth.Thisshiftsurprisednoone.Butithasconvincedmanypeoplethatinterestratesaresettoriseagain--andsoon. Judgingbypricesinfuturesmarketsinvestorsarebettingthatshort-terminterestratescouldstartrisingasearlyasMayandwillbe1.25percentagepointshigherbytheendoftheyear.Thatmaybeexcessive.EconomistsatGoldmanSachswholongarguedthatthecentralbankwoulddonothingthisyearnowexpectshort-termratestogouponly0.75%thisyearstartinginJune.ButvirtuallyeveryonereckonssomeFedtighteningisinthefuture. ThereasonAfteranunprecedented11rate-cutsin2001short-terminterestratesareabnormallylow.AsthesignsofrobustrecoverymultiplyanalystsexpecttheFedtotakebacksomeoftherate-cutsitusedasan"insurancepolicy"aftertheSeptember11thterroristattack.Buthigherratescouldstillbefurtheroffparticularlyiftherecoveryproveslessrobustthanmanyhope.Themanufacturingsectorisgrowingafter18monthsofdecline.ThemostoptimisticWallStreetersnowexpectGDPtohaveexpandedbybetween5%and6%onanannualbasisinthefirstquarter. Butonestrongquarterdoesnotimplyasustainablerecovery.Intheshorttermthebounce-backisbeingdrivenbyadramaticrestockingofinventories.Butitcanbesustainedonlyifcorporateinvestmentrecoversandconsumerspendingstaysbuoyant.Andsinceconsumerspendingheldupsowellduringthe"recession"itisunlikelytojumpnow. Theseuncertaintiesalonesuggestthecentralbankwillbecautiousaboutraisinginterestrates.Thatcautionisallthemorenecessarygiventhelackofinflationarypressure.AlthoughAmerica’sconsumerpriceshavestoppedfallingonamonthlybasisthelatestfiguresshowfewsignsofnascentpricepressure.IndeedgiventhehugepressureoncorporateprofitstheFederalReservemightbehappytoseeconsumerpricesriseslightly.InshortwhileWallStreetfretsaboutwhenandhowmuchinterestrateswillgoup.Theanswermaywellbenotsoonandnotmuch. Thepurposeoftheauthorinwritingthetextisto
Oneofthemostimportantresultsofresearchintoageinghasbeentopinpointthesignificanceofshort-termmemory.Thisfacultyiseasily1asageingadvances.Whatseemsto2isthatinformationisreceivedbythebrain3scansitformeaninginordertodecodeitatsomefuturetime.Itlooksasiftheactual4oftheshort-termmemoryitselfmaynotchangetoomuch5age.Ayoungmanandamaninhislatefiftiesmay6beabletorememberandrepeatan7ofeightnumbersrecitedtothem.Butwhat8changeisthatwhentheoldermanisaskedtorememberanything9betweenthetimeheisfirstgiventhenumberstomemoriseandthetimeheisaskedto10themhewillbemuchlesslikelytorememberthe11numbersthantheyoungman.Thisisbecausethescanningstageismoreeasily12byotheractivitiesin13people. In14livingoneexperiencesthisasafairlyminor15—atelephonenumberforgottenwhileonelooks16anareacodeorthefirstpartof17streetdirectionsconfusedwiththefastbecausethelast’turnlefts’and’turnrights’haveinterfered18rememberingthefirstdirections.Inmoreformallearninghoweverthe19ofshort-termmemoryismorethanjustamildsocialembarrassment.Itcanbeaseriousbartofurther20orindeedtoanyprogressatall. 14
Text1 TheJapanesegovernmentwantswomenlikeTaekoMizuguchitogetmarriedandstartdoingsomethingaboutthenation’splungingbirthrate.Butshe’snotinterested.AtleastnotifherprospectivehusbandisJapanese. AgrowingnumberofJapanesewomenaregivingupontheirmalecounterpartsandtakingagamblethatlookingabroadforlovewillbringthemthequalitiesinapartnerthatseemrareathome."Theytreatyoulikeequalsandtheydon’thesitatetoexpressmutualfeelingsofrespect—IthinkWesternmenaremoreadeptatsuchthingsthanJapanesemen"saysthe36-year-oldMs.Mizuguchiwhoworksatatoptradingfirm."Theydon’tactlikewomenaremaids—Ithinktheyviewwomenasindividuals." UnderscoringthatJapanesewomenarelosinghopewiththelocalboysdatingagenciestohelpsnagaWesternhusbandhavesprungupinTokyosomewithbranchesintheUSandEurope.Suchcompaniesrigorouslyvettheirclientsscreeningforeducationfamilybackgroundoccupationandlifegoals.Thekindofwomenwhosignupforsuchservicesincludedoctorslawyersandotherprofessionals—womenwhohavedelayedmarriagetoconcentrateoncareersandwhoaren’tkeentogiveuphardwongainstobecomeahousewifeasmanyJapanesemenexpect.Agenerationofwomenwhoarenowenteringtheir30sdon’twanttogiveupsinglelifeunlessprospectivepartnersarewillingtobreakfromtraditionalgenderroles. Governmentpollsconductedtofindoutwhywomenhaveputoffmarriageuntilwellafter25yearsofage—knownasawoman’s"’bestbefore’date"—showthateconomicindependenceiskeytothechange.AsmostJapanesewomenhavetheirownincomemarriageisnolongerafinancialnecessityandwomenwanttofindcompanionshipinahusband.Havingruledoutanold-fashionedJapanesehusbandmanywomenherethinkthesolutionisaWesternman.Indeedsomeseemsoenthralledwiththeideathattheyarewillingtospend’thousandsofdollarstoinspectthewarespersonally. TobefairnotalltheblameforfemaleangstherecanbelaidonJapanesemenThegovernmenthasbeenslowtoenforceequalopportunitylawsandbothpayandtheglassceilingin’mostJapanesecorporationsremainlowforwomen.Recessionhashamperedlongermaternityleaveandotherfamilyfriendlypolicies.AsJapan’sfertilityratedropstonewlowsthegovernmentisanxiouslydrawingupplanstomakeiteasierforyoungcouplestoraisechildrenthroughsuchmeasuresastheprovisionofcheappublichoming. ThemajorfactorthatleadsJapanesewomentopostponetheirmarriageis
Oneofthemostimportantresultsofresearchintoageinghasbeentopinpointthesignificanceofshort-termmemory.Thisfacultyiseasily1asageingadvances.Whatseemsto2isthatinformationisreceivedbythebrain3scansitformeaninginordertodecodeitatsomefuturetime.Itlooksasiftheactual4oftheshort-termmemoryitselfmaynotchangetoomuch5age.Ayoungmanandamaninhislatefiftiesmay6beabletorememberandrepeatan7ofeightnumbersrecitedtothem.Butwhat8changeisthatwhentheoldermanisaskedtorememberanything9betweenthetimeheisfirstgiventhenumberstomemoriseandthetimeheisaskedto10themhewillbemuchlesslikelytorememberthe11numbersthantheyoungman.Thisisbecausethescanningstageismoreeasily12byotheractivitiesin13people. In14livingoneexperiencesthisasafairlyminor15—atelephonenumberforgottenwhileonelooks16anareacodeorthefirstpartof17streetdirectionsconfusedwiththefastbecausethelast’turnlefts’and’turnrights’haveinterfered18rememberingthefirstdirections.Inmoreformallearninghoweverthe19ofshort-termmemoryismorethanjustamildsocialembarrassment.Itcanbeaseriousbartofurther20orindeedtoanyprogressatall. 18
Oneofthemostimportantresultsofresearchintoageinghasbeentopinpointthesignificanceofshort-termmemory.Thisfacultyiseasily1asageingadvances.Whatseemsto2isthatinformationisreceivedbythebrain3scansitformeaninginordertodecodeitatsomefuturetime.Itlooksasiftheactual4oftheshort-termmemoryitselfmaynotchangetoomuch5age.Ayoungmanandamaninhislatefiftiesmay6beabletorememberandrepeatan7ofeightnumbersrecitedtothem.Butwhat8changeisthatwhentheoldermanisaskedtorememberanything9betweenthetimeheisfirstgiventhenumberstomemoriseandthetimeheisaskedto10themhewillbemuchlesslikelytorememberthe11numbersthantheyoungman.Thisisbecausethescanningstageismoreeasily12byotheractivitiesin13people. In14livingoneexperiencesthisasafairlyminor15—atelephonenumberforgottenwhileonelooks16anareacodeorthefirstpartof17streetdirectionsconfusedwiththefastbecausethelast’turnlefts’and’turnrights’haveinterfered18rememberingthefirstdirections.Inmoreformallearninghoweverthe19ofshort-termmemoryismorethanjustamildsocialembarrassment.Itcanbeaseriousbartofurther20orindeedtoanyprogressatall. 2
Text4 America’scentralbanksentaclearmessagethisweek.ForthesecondconsecutivemeetingtheFederalOpenMarketCommitteethecentralbank’spolicy-makingcommitteeleftshort-terminterestratesunchangedat1.75%.Butitsaidthattherisksfacingtheeconomyhadshiftedfromeconomicweaknesstoabalancebetweenweaknessandexcessivegrowth.Thisshiftsurprisednoone.Butithasconvincedmanypeoplethatinterestratesaresettoriseagain--andsoon. Judgingbypricesinfuturesmarketsinvestorsarebettingthatshort-terminterestratescouldstartrisingasearlyasMayandwillbe1.25percentagepointshigherbytheendoftheyear.Thatmaybeexcessive.EconomistsatGoldmanSachswholongarguedthatthecentralbankwoulddonothingthisyearnowexpectshort-termratestogouponly0.75%thisyearstartinginJune.ButvirtuallyeveryonereckonssomeFedtighteningisinthefuture. ThereasonAfteranunprecedented11rate-cutsin2001short-terminterestratesareabnormallylow.AsthesignsofrobustrecoverymultiplyanalystsexpecttheFedtotakebacksomeoftherate-cutsitusedasan"insurancepolicy"aftertheSeptember11thterroristattack.Buthigherratescouldstillbefurtheroffparticularlyiftherecoveryproveslessrobustthanmanyhope.Themanufacturingsectorisgrowingafter18monthsofdecline.ThemostoptimisticWallStreetersnowexpectGDPtohaveexpandedbybetween5%and6%onanannualbasisinthefirstquarter. Butonestrongquarterdoesnotimplyasustainablerecovery.Intheshorttermthebounce-backisbeingdrivenbyadramaticrestockingofinventories.Butitcanbesustainedonlyifcorporateinvestmentrecoversandconsumerspendingstaysbuoyant.Andsinceconsumerspendingheldupsowellduringthe"recession"itisunlikelytojumpnow. Theseuncertaintiesalonesuggestthecentralbankwillbecautiousaboutraisinginterestrates.Thatcautionisallthemorenecessarygiventhelackofinflationarypressure.AlthoughAmerica’sconsumerpriceshavestoppedfallingonamonthlybasisthelatestfiguresshowfewsignsofnascentpricepressure.IndeedgiventhehugepressureoncorporateprofitstheFederalReservemightbehappytoseeconsumerpricesriseslightly.InshortwhileWallStreetfretsaboutwhenandhowmuchinterestrateswillgoup.Theanswermaywellbenotsoonandnotmuch. WecanlearnfromthetextthattheAmerica'scentralbank
Allobjectsofhumanreasonorinquirymaynaturallybedividedintotwokindstowitrelationsofideasandmattersoffact.46Ofthefirstkindarethesciencesofgeometryalgebraandarithmetic;andinshorteveryaffirmationwhichiseitherintuitivelyordemonstrativelycertain.Thatthesquareofthehypothenuseisequaltothesquaresofthetwosidesisapropositionwhichexpressesarelationbetweenthesefigures.47Propositionsofthiskindarediscoverablebythemereoperationofthoughtwithoutdependenceonwhatisanywhereexistentintheuniverse.ThoughthereneverwereacircleortriangleinnaturethetruthsdemonstratedbyEuclidwouldforeverretaintheircertaintyandevidence. Mattersoffactwhicharethesecondobjectsofhumanreasonarenotascertainedinthesamemanner;norisourevidenceoftheirtruthhowevergreatofalikenaturewiththeforegoing.Thecontraryofeverymatteroffactisstillpossible;becauseitcanneverimplyacontradictionandisconceivedbythemindwiththesamefacilityanddistinctnessasifeversoconformabletoreality.48Thatthesunwillnotrisetomorrowisnolessintelligibleapropositionandimpliesnomorecontradictionthantheaffirmationthatitwillrise.Weshouldinvainthereforeattempttodemonstrateitsfalsehood.Wereitdemonstrativelyfalseitwouldimplyacontradictionandcouldneverhedistinctlyconceivedbythemind. Itmaythereforebeasubjectworthyofcuriositytoinquirewhatisthenatureofthatevidencewhichassuresusofanyrealexistenceadmatteroffactbeyondthepresenttestimonyofoursensesortherecordsofourmemory.49Thispartofphilosophyitisobservablehasbeenlittlecultivatedeitherbytheancientsormoderns;andthereforeourdoubtsanderrorsintheprosecutionofsoimportantaninquirymaybethemoreexcusable;whilewemarchthroughsuchdifficultpathswithoutanyguideordirection.50TheymayevenproveusefulByexcitingcuriosityanddestroyingthatimplicitfaithandsecuritywhichisthepoisonofallreasoningandfreeinquiry.ThediscoveryofdefectsinthecommonphilosophyifanysuchtherebewillnotIpresumebeadiscouragementbutratheranincitementasisusualtoattemptsomethingmorefullandsatisfactorythanhasyetbeenproposedtothepublic. Ofthefirstkindarethesciencesofgeometryalgebraandarithmetic;andinshorteveryaffirmationwhichiseitherintuitivelyordemonstrativelycertain
Text3 WhenitcomestosuingdoctorsPhiladelphiaishardlythecityofbrotherlylove.AcombinationofsprightlylawyersandsympatheticjurieshasmadePhiladelphiaahotspotformedical-malpracticelawsuits.Since1995Pennsylvaniastatecourtshaveawardedanaverageof$2minsuchcasesaccordingtoJuryVerdictResearchasurveyfirm.Somemedicalspecialistshaveseentheirmalpracticeinsurancepremiumsnearlydoubleoverthepastyear.Obstetriciansarenowpayingupto$104000ayeartoprotectthemselves. Theinsuranceindustryislargelytoblame.CarolGolintheMonitor’seditorarguesthatinthe1990sinsurerstriedtograbmarketsharebyofferingartificiallylowratesbettingthatanylosseswouldbecoveredbygainsontheirinvestments.Thestock-marketcorrectioncoupledwiththelargelegalawardshaserodedtheinsurers’reserves.ThreeinPennsylvaniaalonehavegonebust. Afewdoctors--particularlyolderoneswillquit.Therestareadapting.Someareabandoninglitigation-proneproceduressuchasdeliveringbabies.Othersaremovingpartsoftheirpracticetoneighboringstateswhereinsuranceratesarelower.SomefromPennsylvaniahaveopenedofficesinNewJersey.Newdoctorsmayalsobedeterredfromsettingupshopinlitigationhavenshoweverprestigious. DespiteaRepublicanpresidenttortreformhasgotnowhereatthefederallevel.IndeeddoctorscouldgetclobberedindirectlybyaPatients’BillofRightswhichwouldfurtherexposemanagedcarecompaniestolawsuits.ThisprospecthasfuelledinterestamongdoctorsinPennsylvania’snewmedicalmalpracticereformbillwhichwassignedintolawonMarch20th.Itwillamongotherthingsgivedoctors$40mofstatefundstooffsettheirinsurancepremiumsspreadthepaymentofawardsoutovertimeandprohibitindividualsfromdoubledippingthatissuingadoctorfordamagesthathavealreadybeenpaidbytheirhealthinsurer. ButwillitreallyhelpRandallBovbjergahealthpolicyexpertattheUrbanInstitutearguesthattheonlyproperwaytoslowdownthelitigationmachinewouldbetolimitthecompensationforpainandsufferingso-called"non-monetarydamages".Needlesstosayafixedcaponsuchawardsisresistedbymosttriallawyers.ButMr.Bovbjergreckonsamorenuancedapproachwithaslidingscaleofpaymentsbasedonwell-definedmeasuresofinjuryisabetterwayforward.Inthemeantimedoctorsandinsurersarebracingthemselvesforacouplemoreroughyearsbeforetheinsurancecycleturns. Nobodydisputesthathospitalstaffmakemistakes:a1999InstituteofMedicinereportclaimedthaterrorskillatleast44000patientsayear.Butthereislittleevidencethatmalpracticelawsuitsontheirownwillsolvetheproblem. WecanlearnfromthetextthatanewlawinPennsylvanian
Oneofthemostimportantresultsofresearchintoageinghasbeentopinpointthesignificanceofshort-termmemory.Thisfacultyiseasily1asageingadvances.Whatseemsto2isthatinformationisreceivedbythebrain3scansitformeaninginordertodecodeitatsomefuturetime.Itlooksasiftheactual4oftheshort-termmemoryitselfmaynotchangetoomuch5age.Ayoungmanandamaninhislatefiftiesmay6beabletorememberandrepeatan7ofeightnumbersrecitedtothem.Butwhat8changeisthatwhentheoldermanisaskedtorememberanything9betweenthetimeheisfirstgiventhenumberstomemoriseandthetimeheisaskedto10themhewillbemuchlesslikelytorememberthe11numbersthantheyoungman.Thisisbecausethescanningstageismoreeasily12byotheractivitiesin13people. In14livingoneexperiencesthisasafairlyminor15—atelephonenumberforgottenwhileonelooks16anareacodeorthefirstpartof17streetdirectionsconfusedwiththefastbecausethelast’turnlefts’and’turnrights’haveinterfered18rememberingthefirstdirections.Inmoreformallearninghoweverthe19ofshort-termmemoryismorethanjustamildsocialembarrassment.Itcanbeaseriousbartofurther20orindeedtoanyprogressatall. 16
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