Biologists with a predilection for theory have tried—and largely failed—to define what it is that makes something a living thing. Organisms take in energy-providing materials and excrete waste products, but so do automobiles. Living things replicate and take part in evolution, but so do some computer programs. We must be open to the possibility that there are living things on other planets. Therefore, we will not be successful in defining what it is that makes something a living thing merely by examining living things on Earth—the only ones we know. Trying to do so is analogous to trying to specify __________.
Which of the following most logically completes the passage?


the laws of physics by using pure mathematics

what a fish is by listing its chemical components

what an animal is by examining a plant

what a machine is by examining a sketch of it

what a mammal is by examining a zebra

加入错题本 分享
纠错
考题讲解

情景：生物学家一直没整明白如何定义“活物”。有机体吸收养分排出废物，汽车也如此；活体复制并进化，电脑程序也如此。我们必须考虑其他星球上也有活物的可能性。因此，我们无法通过只着眼于地球来成功定义什么是“living thing”。做这样的类比相当于_______。

推理：这类题目我们只需搞清楚文段在说什么，然后顺着他的思路往下想即可。文段其实就是在说，目前找不到一个“living thing”独一无二的特点，因为我们不能只着眼于地球而不考虑其他星球的活物，即，不能以点概面、以偏概全。

选项分析：

A选项：通过纯数学理论明确物理定律。

B选项：通过列出其化学成分明确什么是鱼。

C选项：通过研究植物明确什么是动物。

D选项：通过研究略图明确什么是机器。

E选项：通过研究斑马明确什么是哺乳动物。

展开显示

登录 或 注册 后可以参加讨论

OG2019-CR