In 1665,an apple fell from a tree and landed near young Isaac Newton.Untold numbers of

people had seen apples fall and hadn’t given the matter a second thought.But Newton thought about it carefully and developed a cornerstone of modern science—the theory of gravity.

The ability to ask deep questions and look for answers lies at the heart of science.So it stands to reason that educators would want to bottle Newton’s brand of thinking and serve it to their students.

Common sense might argue that the best means to that end is to cram future scientists with chemistry,physics,biology,and mathematics.After all,Newton had an enormous appetite for science.

But Newton owned more books in the humanities than he did in the sciences,and his interest included subjects such an history,philosophy,and Greek mythology.

Could it be that thinking deeply about subjects such as history,philosophy,and religion makes one a better scientist？many top American schools think so.

The liberal arts is diversified toolbox.If you have only one way of looking at things,you will get stuck in the same place everybody else got stuck.If you’ve got different experiences,you may find other ways of solving the problem.”

It’s well known that the more we think,the better our neural connections.But liberal arts colleges go one step further.They argue that learning to think in one field may sharpen the ability to solve complex problems in a seemingly unrelated area.It may be a while before scientists establish the truth or falsity of this idea.In the meantime,some of the best minds in science are betting that it’s true.

“Learning about the great books and the humanities can stimulate the sort of brain waves that serve a scientist pretty well,” says Nobel prize winner Tom Cech—“The more types of thinking you have to do,the more skills you can bring to a scientific problem."

26.We learn from the first paragraph that ________.

A.the ability to think is of first importance to scientific discovery

B.nobody noticed apples falling from trees to the ground before Newton

C.Newton developed the theory of gravity by watching a falling apple

27.According to the passage, to help students become scientists, educators________.

A.should cram them with lots of science courses

B.should make them think in the way Newton did

C.should ask them deep questions and look for answers

D.should give them an enormous appetite for science

28.We learn from the passage that students who study science in a liberal arts college ________.

A.are required to take a number of courses in the humanities

B.are free to take whatever courses they like best

C.have a wide range of interests in history, philosophy and religion

D.spend more time studying arts and the humanities than the sciences

29.The idea that learning to think in one field may sharpen the ability to solve complex problems in a seemingly unrelated area is ________.

A.already proved to be true by scientists

B.accepted by the best people in science

C.a common belief among liberal arts colleges

D.gaining worldwide acceptance

30.In liberal arts colleges students are _______.

A.asked to bring a diversified toolbox to school

B.trained to think differently from everybody else

C.required to learn different kinds of skills

D.taught to look at things in different ways