【练习版】大学英语1复习资料（考试用）
【阅读理解】
第一单元
About twenty of us schoolchildren had been fortunate enough to receive invitations to a film-studio to take part in a crowd-scene. Although our “art” would only (1)for three minutes, we were given the opportunity to see quite a number of interesting things.
Soon after we arrived , bright lights were turned on. Since it was very hot in the studio, it came as a (2) to us to see one of the actors put on a overcoat. He (3) a hat down over his eyes , put his hands in his pockets, and started walking along a winding path. A big fan began (4) small white feathers down on him, and soon the bare trees were covered in “snow”. Two more fans were turned on, and a “strong wind”whistled through the trees. The first actor was dragging through the snow when the second, (5) as a beggar, began walking towards him trembling with cold.
The next (6) was a complete contrast. The way it was filmed was quite (7) .Pictures taken on an island in the Indian Ocean were shown on a glass screen. An actor and an actress stood in front of the (8) so that they looked as if they were at the water’s edge on an island.
Since it was our (9) next, we were left wondering what scene would be prepared for us .For a full three minutes in our lives we would be experiencing the
(10) of being film “stars”!
Instructions dressed image surprise excitement scence shaking pulled blowing sequence turn extraordinary severe last anticipate
第二单元
When he got the call that his son was ill in California and not expected to live for long, Bill didn’t know (1) he was going to get the money for his wife and himself to make the trip. Bill had worked as a truck driver his entire life, but he never managed to have any (2).
So with (3) Bill walked the mile to the filling station and told the owner, ”My son is really sick and I’ve got no cash. Can you trust me for the phone call to California?”
“Pick up the (4) and talk as long as you need to,” was the answer. As
he started to dial, he was (5) by a stranger, jumping down from the cab of a truck and asking,” Aren’t you Bill Beasley? Your son was one of my best friends when we were growing up together. When went off to college, I lost (6) with him. Heard you say he’s sick?”
After the call Bill was told that that truck driver had paid for it and left him an ( 7). He opened it and pulled out two pieces of paper .One read,” You were the first truck driver my dad trust enough to let me go along with.” The second one was a (8) check with an attached (9):”Fill out the amount
(10) for you and your wife to make the trip. Merry Christmas!”
message interrupted operate envelope embarrassment signed touch
how communicated phone anxiety needed urged savings correspondence
第四单元
The American Dream used to go something like this: arrive in this country for an unskilled job with small pay. Save and (1) until you can open a small business---in (2) years, a take-out restaurant or a dry cleaner. Buy a
(3) house in the suburbs. Send the children to college and hope they (4) up to be doctors. In the past decade, that (5) has changed. For many
(6) today, the new version of the dream goes more like this: arrive in America for a high-tech job with good pay, invest and invest until you can open your own
(7) .Buy a huge house in an exclusive suburb . And if you don’t have a(n) (8) degree? Work like crazy, get a tech-related job and (9) a large part of your wages into stocks until you -----don’t wait for your kids---are (10).
business modest convey dream grow urge save engineering immigrants carreer recent rich invest tough steady
第六单元
（Jenny and Raymond had been lovers before World War II set them apart. Eight years later Raymond happened to learn that Jenny was still living alone in London…）
So Raymond found himself unpacking his bag in a London hotel before he had decided on his approach to Jenny. He (1) thought of the telephone, but he knew that wouldn’t do. Jenny believed that he was dead. He couldn’t just (2) up and say he wasn’t. (3) could he just ring her doorbell and be standing there on the mat. She would think she was seeing things.
A hot bath and a change of clothes did not bring any revelations, either. He sat down at the writing desk and began a letter to her---tore it up and began
(4)--- and tore that up. He (5) down the pen and went out into the early October dusk of London, (6) avoiding the address where Jenny was living.
He was unaccustomed to dilemmas like this which could not be (7) out in a decent length of time, and he was getting angry with (8) . Moodily he turned into a cheerful-looking (9)and had a lonely meal, aware that he might have Jenny’s happy face across the table –he was wasting time –but after so many years, did a few more hours (10)?
restaurant first Nor deliberately reasoned Or permanently thrust another herself matter important himself ring threw
第八单元
Dear Mom and Dad,
Everything is OK, well, almost everything,—you see, I have a terrible headache about every half hour. I’ve been having this headache ever since I jumped from my ( 1)during the fire. A fine-looking young man was (2)by my window when he saw the flames (3)from the window. He was kind enough to call the fire (4)and ambulance. Since my furniture was (5) up and my room (6),I have been staying at this young man’s apartment.
I thought (7)about marrying him but I know how you feel about mixed ( 8).
I’m writing this letter to tell you that I’ve just received my (9) card. I have three D’s and two F’s. I just thought, if I put this in a different (10),it would sound better!
Your Loving Daughter perspective destroyed passing marriages couples report view seriously burned office diligently leaping dormitory department injured
【词汇（单选）】
第一单元
1）Alan was always in trouble with the police when he was young but he’s own
a married man.
2）The people who had been hurt in the car accident lay screaming in . 3）Because his condition’s not serious they’ve his name on the hospital waiting list.
4）The second part of the book describes the strange of events that lead to the King’s fall from power.
5）When I saw my little boy crying bitterly over the death of his pet dog, I could hardly my tears.
6）They are going to those clothes and blankets among the flood victims. 7）Linda managed to support herself by working as a waitress. 8）Parts of my childhood are so to me that they could be memories of yesterday.
9）People often the old days with good times, and seem to forget the hardship they suffered.
10）Andrew decided, after much thought, to leave his job.
11）Jane’s worried she won’t be able to her paper on time.
12）The President came under attack from all sides for his inability to the country’s severe social problems.
Associate tackle agony put down vivid respectable sequence distribute Off an on finally extraordinary rigid reputation hold back tedious turn in
第二单元
1）There was no wind and the oak tree behind the house was standing . 2）If you don’t want to buy a kite, you can make your own using directions
in books at your own library.
3）The girl walked steadily north, pausing to check her direction. 4）The trade unions employers to invest more money in staff training. 5）As a sailing ship has a , so we must have a definite goal in our life. 6）Before people knew how to make and use metals, engineering constructions were built of wood or stone.
7）You’ll probably find Dave at the school disco---he often there.
8）If your house has been broken into, don’t touch anything. Call the
police .
9）We had a family where I saw relatives I hadn’t seen for 20 years. 10）I guess Henry has been busy writing an article recently. That’s why he couldn’t accept the invitation.
11）Scientists that smoking reduces life expectancy by around 12 years on average.
12）Although it is unlikely that everyone will be able to come, they are still
withthe plan to hold a class reunion.
Available go ahead keep in touch absolutely urge estimate reunion
hang out destination or something go by every now and then mostly
know by heart right away reference
第四单元
1）It was already a when two weeks later the police found his stolen car and he had to buy a new one.
2）With great patience, the clerk showed the elderly lady how to check the
in her bank account on an ATM.
3）If you look out of the window on the left side of the bus, you’ll see that we’re now the Tower of London.
4）There’ll certainly be some problems, but nothing that you can’t . 5）People who litter in the streets should be fined heavily.
6）Successful businessman today are likely to be young, aggressive, and
well-educated. , they are willing to take risks to achieve success.
7）During those difficult years, the family lived almost entirely on a of cabbages.
8）What are we going to the food left over from the party?
9）We Tom’s age by getting his birth record.
10）We’ll go out as soon as I’ve the chicken.
11）For women lawyers in the United States, their earnings are on the average much less than those of male lawyers.
精心整理 大学英语（一） 行政班级分级班级姓名学号 C. A measuring system. D. A control system. 2. A. Car prices. B. Car services.
C. The company’s business. D. The company’s culture. 3. A. It’s easy to do. B. It’s challenging. dialogue, there are some recorded questions. Both the conversations and questions will be spoken two times. Conversation 1
6. A. Breakfast. B. Dinner. C. A 5 dollar gift card. D. Bus service to the airport. 10. A. Make an appointment with her. B. Talk with her about a new order.
C. Send her an email about the shipment. D. Call her back when receiving the shipment. Directions: This part is to test your ability to construct grammatically correct sentences. It consists of 2 sections.
ⅠV ocabulary and Structure （10 points，i point for each item） 从下列各句四个选项中选出一个最佳答案，并将选项号填在答题纸的相应位置上。 1.Studies have shown _______ teenagers often suffer form depression. A.that B.which C.in which D.in that 2.The party has failed to _______ the majority of voters that it is capable of governing the country. A.trust B.credit C.convince D.believe 3._______ driving around all day looking for somewhere to park，why don‘t you take a bus to town？ A.In spite of B.Rather than C.In palce of D.Other than 4.The kids are _______ be hungry when they get home—they always are. A. obliged to B. bound to C. desired to D. motivated to 5.All the characteristics that distinguish birds _______ other animals can be traced to prehistoric times. A.to B.between C.for D.from 6.When the city was _______，everyone knew that total defeat was certain. A.cut off B.cut down C.cut across D.cut out 7.If we _______ everything ready by now，we should be having a terrible time tomorrow. A.hadn‘t got B. didn’t get C.wouldn‘t have got D. wouldn’t get 8.In his composition there were no other errors _______ a few misspelled words. A.beside B.except C.then D.than 9.In deciding _______ a course of action，the candidates tried to estimate its likely impact
大学英语专业精读1 期末考试卷 I. Word formation （40%） A. Give the corresponding nouns for the following verbs.给出下列动词的相应名词形式。（10%） 1. discover 2.depend 3.amaze 4.add 5.display 6.renew 7.suppose 8.treat 9.addict 10.accelerate B. Give the corresponding nouns for the following adjectives. （10%） 1.weak 2. angry 3. free 4. quick 5. clear 6. long 7.wide 8. sad 9.happy 10. moderate C. Give the corresponding verbs for the following nouns. （10%） 1. gardening 2. failure 3. fertilizer 4. enduring 5. mixture 6.liberation 7.alternative 8.result 9.satisfaction 10.requirement D. Give the corresponding synonyms for the following words and expressions. （10%） 1.barely 2. chilly 3. now and then 4. many 5. clever 6. turn up 7. keen 8. club 9.handsome 10.sensible II. Translate the Chinese into English. （30%） 1. We’ll stick by you___________________________________________（无论发生什么事）. 2. Keep in touch with your cultural roots, ___________________(无论你在世界何地). 3.We’ll bring the hostage home,___________________________（无论有多困难）. 4. I feel that you young people should understand____________________（生活中总是充满着机遇和挑战）. 5. When she learned____________________（她已经被那所大学录取）, she almost jumped for joy. 6.You must admit_________________________（所有这一切都表明我们的努力没有白费）. 7.He was running a great risk when he insisted_________________________________（地球是绕着太阳转的）. 8. The visitors were greatly impressed by________________________（这个村子过去30年所取得的成就）. 9. First-year college students are generally not clear about______________________________（他们应该从大学获取什么）. 10._____________________________（农民最想得到的东西）is just one thing. It is land. III. Translate the following sentences into English. （30%） 1. 我们现在缺少人手，你来得正好。 2. 已经有好几个同学在考虑竞选学生会主席。 3. 她警告我不要和那种追求个人名利的人交往。 4.多年来我们学校培养了很多学生，大多数都在各个部门重要岗位任职。 5. 她原以为哲学是非常枯燥的东西，可后来方发现它非常有意思。 6.他父亲刚过五十，可头发已经灰白了。不过，除此以外，他没事。 7.这里的老师和学生都认为学英语没有什么捷径。 8.我知道放弃这个机会十分愚蠢，但我别无选择。 9.有一天，那座新楼突然倒塌，楼里很多人都被埋了。 10.一种长久的友好关系要求双方都十分真诚。
Test Seven, Part Ⅰ Listening Comprehension (15 minutes) Directions: This part is to test your listening ability. It consists of 3 sections. Section A Directions: This section is to test your ability to give proper answers to questions. There are 5 recorded dialogues in it. After each dialogue, there is a pause. The questions will be spoken two times. When you hear a question, you should decide on the correct answer from the 4 choices marked A) , B) , C) and D) given in your test paper. Then you should mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center. 1. A) Mary is not here, because she is ill. B) No, it isn't. C) Yes, it is. D) We are ready. 2.A) I am not hungry. B) But the price is too high. C) I like doing some cooking. D) I want to have a rest. 3.A) No, you can't. B) Yes, you can. C) I want a seat near the window. D) That's all right. 4. A) Thank you. B) I agree with you. C) Me, too. D) A little better. 5.A) It's snowing now. B) I like it. C) Yes, the grounds are white. D) it sounds good. Section B Directions: This section is to test your ability to understand short dialogues. There are 5 recorded dialogues in it. After each dialogue, there is a recorded question. Both the dialogues and questions will be spoken two times. When you hear a question, you should decide on the correct answer from the 4 choices marked A) , B) , C) and D) given in your test paper. Then you should mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center. 6.A) $16. B) $32. C) $8. D) $64. 7.A) Patient and doctor. B) Waitress and customer. C) Wife and husband. D) Secretary and boss. 8. A) Worried and frightened. B) Quite unhappy. C) Very relaxed. D) Angry with the professor. 9. A) The woman was late for coming. B) The woman asked the man to wait. C) The man was annoyed by her late coming. D) The man was quite all right. 10. A) Young people are quick in making decisions. B) They seldom stay long on one job. C) They are easy to lose jobs. D) They are too eager to succeed. Section C Directions: In this section you will hear a recorded passage. The passage is printed in the test paper, but with some words or phrases missing. The passage will be read three times. During the second reading, you are required to put the missing words or phrases on the Answer Sheet in order of the numbered blanks according to what you have heard. The third reading is for you to check your writing. Now the passage will begin. Dick was a sailor on a big ship. It went to Japan and Australia, so Dick was often on the ship for some months at a time. When he (11) up in the morning and looked out, he only (12) the sea, or sometimes a port. When he was twenty-three, Dick married and bought a small (13) with a garden in his wife's town. It was (14) away from the sea. Then he had to go back to his ship, and was away (15) home for two months. He went from the port to the town by bus, and was very happy to see his wife again.
《大学英语1》课程作业 专业班级：姓名：学号： 作业要求：题目可打印，答案要求手写，该课程考试时交作业。 I. Fill in the blanks with the words or expressions given below. Change the form where necessary. Come to 共计come up with 想出，提出，赶上disturb 打扰get to 达到，开始program计划Typical典型的involve 包含，潜心于fee from actually gap间隙，缺口，空白Nevertheless然而communicate current 现在的worthwhile值得的 1.Being a sailor(水手) _ involves__ long periods of time away from home. 2.I'm sure she'll __ actually _ like her new job as a nurse. 3.This year's fall in profits(利润) was not unexpected._ Nevertheless __ , it is very disappointing. 4.The Tibetans(西藏人)，- coming to -- feudal serfdom (封建农奴制)，隶have made remarkable achievements towards the building of a socialist society. 5.Though Washington, D.C. is the seat of government of the United States, New York is _ fee from ___ the nation's most important city. 6.He was so disturbing____ to hear of his mother's illness that he could no longer concentrate on his studies. 7.A typical____ summer day in that area is hot and dry. 8.Mr. smith kept thinking hard, but failed to _come up with___ a workable plan. 9.You ought to spend more of your time on some _worthwhile___ reading. 10.The new theory has __ get to ___ be widely accepted. 11.The government is taking effective(有效的) measures to overcome __ currently__ difficulties. 12.It is necessary that young and old people should _ communicate ____ more with each other. 13.I am afraid there is a great ___gap__ between your viewpoints(观点) and mine. 14.It is thoughtless of them to allow their children to watch whatever __program__ is on television. II. Fill in the blanks with the given words or expressions in their proper forms: 1. hear/hear of (1)Would you please speak louder? The students sitting at the back can't _ hear __ you.
▆■■■■■■■■■■■■
▆
▆■■■■■■■■■■■■ —__________C A. Yes, I am . B. No, I don’t. C. No, I’ve never been there. D. Certainly, I went there. 三、语法与词汇：30%(答案必须填在答卷表格里,否则不得分) 1. We all believe that computer ______ smaller and smaller in the coming years.C A. can be become B. will be got C. will be changed D. can turn 2. He ___________________ not to leave waste paper in public places any more.B A. warns B. warned C. is warned D. was warned 3. That factory _________ nearly 50 years ago. A. has been built B. had built C. was built D. has built 4. Don’t worry. Everything will _____________ in time. A. be finished B. finish C. finished D. be finishing 5. Her application for the position _______________ by the boss. A. was refused B. was refusing C. refused D. is refusing 6. He__________ the Communist Party_____________2002.D A. has joined, in B. has joined, since C. joined, on D. joined, in 7. Jack_________ in the street when I_________ on him.D A. walked…called B. was walking …was calling C. walked … was calling D. was walking …called 8. “Where is Mary?” “She__________ to school.”C A. will go B. has been C. has gone D. went 9. This time last year I___________ my holiday in the countryside.B A. have B. was having C. am having D. have had 10. I’m sorry that I__________ you had been there already.B A. won’t know B. didn’t know C. don’t know D. haven’t known 11. By the end of 2020 China _____________ much stronger and richer.D A. will become B. would become C. is becoming D. will have become 12. It _______________ years since I last saw you.D A. was B. is C. will be D. has been 13. I __________ my homework now.C A. finish B. finished C. have finished D. had finished 14. The room _____________ often cleaned by the worker.D A. has B. will be C. was D. is 15. The railway ______________ in three years.D A. is complete B. will completed C. has completed D. will be completed 四．英译汉：30% Drinking habits vary widely among Americans. Some families never serve any drinks, others have them before dinner, or perhaps after dinner. You are more likely to be offered a cocktail before dinner than wine with the meal. If you do not get used to American cocktails, you can ask for something else. Moreover, drinks may be poured over ice. （翻译答案必须填写在第1页答卷上，不要在此处答题，否则不得分）
大学英语一级期末考试试题（B卷） 课程名称:《大学英语读写I 》任课教师签名: 大学英语教学部（一教） 出题教师签名: 题库审题教师签名: 张文君_____ 考试方式（闭）卷适用专业 07级化工与制药学院、材料学 院、理学院、经管学院和 法学院共58个班 考试时间（ 120 ）分钟 Part I. Reading Comprehension (2’X20=40’) Directions: Read the following three passages carefully and do the multiple-choice questions. Passage One Dogs are social animals and without proper training, they will behave like wild animals. They spoil your house, destroy your belongings, bark excessively, fight other dogs and even bite you. Nearly all behavior problems are perfectly normal dog activities that occur at the wrong time or place or are directed at the wrong things. The key to preventing or treating behavior problem is learning to teach the dog to redirect its normal behavior problems, but it is the foundation for solving just about any problem. Training opens up a line of communication between you and your dog. Effective communication is necessary to instruct your dog about what you want it to do. Training is also an easy way to establish the social rank order. When your dog obeys a simple request of “come here, sit”, it is showing obedience and respect for you. It is necessary to establish yourself as top dog or leader of the dog pack by using extreme measures. You can teach your dog its subordinate role by teaching it to show submission to you. Most dogs love performing tricks for you pleasantly if they accept that you are in charge. Tainting should be fun and rewarding for you and your dog. It can enrich your relationship and make living together more enjoyable. A well-trained dog is more confident and more safely allowed a greater amount of freedom than an untrained animal. 1. Behavior problems of dogs are believed to _______. A) worsen in modern society B) be just part of their nature C) occur when they go wild D) present at threat to the community 2. The primary purpose of obedience training is to ________. A) enable the dog to regain its normal behavior B) teach the dog to perform clever tricks C) make the dog aware of its owner’s authority D) provide the dog with outlets for its wild behavior 3. Effective communication between a dog and its owner is _______. A) an extreme measure in obedience training B) a good way to teach the dog new tricks C) the foundation for dogs to perform tasks D) essential to solve the dog’s behavior problems 4. Why do pet dogs love performing tricks for their masters? A) To show their willingness to obey. B) To show their affection for their masters. C) To avoid being punished. D) To win leadership of the dog pack. 5. When a dog has received effective obedience training, its owner________. A) will enjoy a better family life. B) can give the dog more freedom C) can give the dog more rewards D) will have more confidence in himself Passage Two: Once upon a time there was a wise man that used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance on the beach. So he began to walk faster to catch up. As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and
大学英语1测试答案 注意：标红为答案 测验一： （AABAA BBACA CBCCA CAAAA，题目顺序随机）题目1：They have a share.
A. each； B. every 题目2：child enjoys Christmas. A. Every； B. Each 题目3：My pen is lost. This one is my A. brother； B. brother's 题目4：Have you the skirt by yourself? A. made； B. built 题目5：My room is than the one next door. A. cleaner； B. cleanner； C. cleanest 题目6：John is the of the three brothers. A. taller； B. tallest； C. tall 题目7：We've entered an agreement. A. for； B. into； C. * 题目8：He entered his son the English examination. A. for； B. into； C. * 题目9：No one saw the thief when he entered the buliding. A. for； B. into； C. * 题目10：Everyone he will win. A. believes； B. believe 题目11：Just then, the telephone rang. It rang____. A. at once； B. immediately； C. again； D. at that moment 题目12：The shop assistant found some curtain material___me.
Unit 1 Vocabulary 1.F ill in the gaps with words……. 1). Respectable 2).agony 3).put down 4).sequence 5).hold back 6).distribute 7).off and on 8).vivid 9).associate 10).finally 11).turn in/out 12).tackle 2. Rewrite each sentence…… 1)…has been assigned to the newspaper’s Paris office. 2)….was so extraordinary that I didn’t know whether to believe him or not. 3)….a clear image of how she would look in twenty years’ time. 4)….gave the command the soldiers opened fire. 3. Complete the sentences… 1).reputation; rigid; to inspire 2).and tedious; What’s more; out of date ideas 3).compose; career; avoid showing; hardly hold back Ⅱ. Synonyms in Context
https://www.doczj.com/doc/1c12546512.html,posed 2.severe 3.agony 4.extraordinary 5.recall https://www.doczj.com/doc/1c12546512.html,mand 7.was violating 8.anticipate Ⅲ.Collocation 1.at 2.for 3.of 4.with 5.as 6.about 7.to 8.in; in 9.from 10.on/upon Comprehensive Exercises Ⅰ.Cloze Text-related (1).hold back (2).tedious (3).scanned (4).recall (5).vivid (6).off and on (7).turn out/in (8).career Theme-related (1).last (2).surprise (3).pull (4).blowing (5). dressed (6).scene (7).extraordinary (8).image (9).turn (10).excitement Ⅱ.Translation 1.A s it was a formal dinner party, I wore formal dress, as Mother told me to. 2.H is girlfriend advised him to get out of/get rid of his bad habit of smoking before it took
《大学英语1》期末考试综合复习资料 I. Use of English(20%)—交际英语，共10道选择题，每题2分，共20 分。 II.Reading Comprehension (40%)—阅读理解，4篇文章，共20道选择题，每题2分，共40分。 III.Vocabulary and Structure(30%)—词汇与语法，共30道选择题，每题1分，共30分。 IV.Cloze Test (10%)—完形填空，共10道选择题，每题1分，共10分 I. Use of English (10×2) Directions:In this part there are 10 incomplete dialogues. For each dialogue there are four choices marked A, B, C and D. Choose the ONE answer that best completes the dialogue. Then mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center. 1. —Excuse me, could you please tell me how to get to the railway station? —____________ A. No, I couldn’t. B. Sorry, I don’t know. I’m new here. C. I couldn’t tell you. D. You can’t ask me. 2. — What day is today? — _____________. A. Today is March 24. B. Today is not bad. C. Today is sunny D. Today is Saturday 3. —How do you do? Glad to see you. — _________________________ A. How are you? Me too. B. How do you do? Glad to meet you. C. I am fine, thank you. And you? D. Nice, how are you? 4. —I’m sorry. Bob’s not in his office. — _________ A. Can you take a message for me? B. Are you sure for that? C. Would you like to leave a message? D. Can you phone me?
2018年大学英语第一学期期末考试(A卷) Part II Reading Comprehension (30 %) Directions: There are four passages in this part. Each passage is followed by some questions or unfinished statements. For each of them there are four choices marked A), B), C) and D). You should decide on the best choice and mark the corresponding letter on the Answer Sheet with a single line through the center. Passage One Science is not a set of unquestionable results but a way of understanding the world around us. Its real work is slow. The scientific method , as many of us learned in school, is a gradual process that begins with a purpose or problem or question to be answered. It includes a list of materials, a procedure to follow, a set of observations to make and, finally, conclusions to reach. In medicine, when a new drug is proposed that might cure or control a disease, it is first tested on a large random group of people, and their reactions are then compared with those of another random group not given the drug. All reactions in both groups are carefully recorded and compared, and the drug is evaluated. All of this takes time and patience. It’s the result of course, that makes the best news—not the years of quiet work that characterize the bulk of scientific inquiry. After an experiment is concluded or an observation is made, the result continues to be examined critically. When it is submitted for publication, it goes to a group of the scientist’s colleagues, who review the work. Einstein was right when he said: “No amount of experimentation can ever prove me right, a single experiment can at any time prove me wrong.” In August 1996, NASA announced the discovery in Antarctica of a meteorite（流星）from Mars that might contain evidence of ancient life on another world. As President Clinton said that day, the possibility that life existed on Mars billions of years ago was potentially one of the great discoveries of our time. After the excitement wore down and initial papers were published, other researchers began looking at samples from the same meteorite. Some concluded that the “evidence of life”was mostly contamination from Antarctic ice or that there was nothing organic at all in the rock. Was this a failure of science, as some news reports trumpeted? No! It was a good example of the scientific method working the way it is supposed to. Scientists spend years on research, announce their findings, and these findings are examined by other scientists. That’s how we learn. Like climbing a mountain, we struggle up three feet and fall back two. It’s a process filled with disappointments and reverses, but somehow we keep moving ahead.