Unit 2 Thinking out of the box 单元巩固练习-2023-2024学年高中英语译林版（2020）选修第三册

X3U2拓展练习 一、语法填空 So, what are thought experiments? Put simply, they are experiments ____________(carry) out in the laboratory of the mind; in other words, they take place in the imagination. We set up some hypothetical situation, carry out an operation, see ____________ happens, and draw a conclusion from our analysis. As we explore the world in greater ____________(deep), we may reach a point ____________ it is impossible to run an experimental scenario in the real world due ____________ physical, ethical or financial limitations. In such circumstances, we move into the area of thought experiments, which function as ____________ valuable means to test the limits of our knowledge and advance our understanding of the world. ____________ the term "thought experiment" originated in the 19th century, the use of thought experiments can ____________(trace) much further back, when ancient philosophers used them to explore difficult questions. About 2,500 years ago, Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi recorded one of the ____________(early) thought experiments: if you cut a long stick in half and then cut the ____________(remain) part in two each following day, you will never finish cutting it. With the birth of modern science, thought experiments became an important tool for scientists, especially in physics. Today thought experiments are regularly used in the areas of philosophy, economics and the sciences. Throughout history, thought experiments ____________(contribute) to the development of scientific theories. With logical reasoning, thought experiments are capable ____________ putting forward a new theory and supporting or disproving an ____________(exist) theory. A classic example of this is Galileo Galilei's thought experiment with two falling balls. In Galileo's day, Aristotle's ____________(believe) that a heavier ball should fall faster than a lighter one was well accepted. ____________(doubt), Galileo asked what would happen if the two balls were tied together. He the