It is important that scientists be seen as normal people asking and answering important questions. Good, sound science depends on 26 , experiments and reasoned methodologies. It requires a willingness to ask new questions and try new approaches. It requires one to take risks and experience failures. But good science also requires 27 understanding,clear explanation and concise presentation.
Our country needs more scientists who are willing to step out in the public 28 and offer their opinions on important matters. We need more scientists who can explain what they are doing in language that is 29 and understandable to the public. Those of us who are not scientists should also be prepared to support public engagement by scientists, and to 30 scientific knowledge into our public communications.
Too many people in this country, including some among our elected leadership, still do not understand how science works or why robust, long-range investments in research vitally matter. In the 1960s, the United States 31 nearly 17% of discretionary (可酌情支配的) spending to research and development,32 decades of economic growth. By 2008, the figure had fallen into the single 33 This occurs at a time when other nations have made significant gains in their own research capabilities.
At the university of California (UC), we 34 ourselves not only on the quality of our research, but also on its contribution to improving our world. To 35 the development of science from the lab bench to the market place, UC is investing our own money in our own good ideas.
A. arena
B. contextual
C. convincing
D. devoted
E. digits
F. hasten
G. hypotheses
H. impairing
I. incorporate
J. indefinite
K. indulge
L. inertia
M. pride
N. reaping
O. warrant
答案解析：
根据空格后的 experiments and reasoned methodologies”可知，此处需要一个与实验、方法论并列的名词，作为科学研究的基础。科学研究的流程通常是提出假设、进行实验、采用合理方法。选项 G. hypotheses” (假设) 符合语境。所以选 G。
根据空格后的 understanding, clear explanation and concise presentation”可知，此处需要一个形容词来修饰理解”，并与清晰解释、简洁陈述构成并列关系，强调科学表达需要具备的特质。选项 B. contextual” (有上下文的，符合情境的) 最符合，指科学解释需要结合具体背景，使理解更透彻。所以选 B。
根据空格前的 step out in the public”可知，此处需要一个名词，构成固定搭配 step out in the public arena”，意为步入公共舞台/领域”，指科学家应公开露面并发表观点。选项 A. arena” (舞台，竞技场) 符合语境。所以选 A。
根据空格后的 and understandable to the public”可知，此处需要一个形容词与 understandable” (可理解的) 并列，共同修饰 language” (语言)，指科学家使用的语言不仅要易懂，还要有说服力。选项 C. convincing” (有说服力的) 符合语境。所以选 C。
根据空格前的 to” 和空格后的 scientific knowledge into our public communications”可知，此处需要一个动词，构成 incorporate...into...”的固定搭配，意为将……融入/整合到……中”，指将科学知识融入公共传播中。选项 I. incorporate” (包含，融入) 符合语境。所以选 I。
根据空格后的 nearly 17% of discretionary spending to research and development”可知，此处需要一个动词，表示投入”或“分配”资金。选项 D. devoted” (奉献，投入) 符合语境，常与 to 搭配，表示将……用于……。所以选 D。
根据前句，美国在20世纪60年代投入大量资金用于研发，空格后是 decades of economic growth” (数十年的经济增长)。这两者之间是因果关系，即投入带来了经济增长。选项 N. reaping” (收获，获得) 符合语境，reap the benefits/gains 是常见搭配。所以选 N。
根据空格前的 the single”和后文提到的比例下降，可知此处需要一个名词，表示数字”或“位数”。前文提到17%，后来下降到个位数”，即 single digits”。选项 E. digits” (数字) 符合语境。所以选 E。
根据空格前的 we” 和空格后的 ourselves not only on...”，可知此处需要动词构成 pride ourselves on...”的固定搭配，意为以……为傲”。选项 M. pride” 符合语境。所以选 M。
根据空格后的 the development of science from the lab bench to the market place”可知，此处需要一个动词，表示加速”或“促进”科学从实验室到市场的转化过程。选项 F. hasten” (加速，促进) 符合语境。所以选 F。
