late. To be interested in these things is __7__ because they are not important at all. It is none of their __8__ to know what neighbors do or are doing. Such curiosity is __9__ not only foolish but also harmful. For most probably, it __10__ to small talk which often brings __11__， shame or disrespect to others, and thus hurt their feelings.

　　On the other __12__， there is a noble curiosity - the curiosity of the wise, who __13__ at all the great things and try to find out all they __14__ about them. Columbus could __15__ have found America if he had not been __16__. James Watt would not have made the steam engine __17__ his curiosity about the raising of the kettle lid (水壶盖). All the great discoveries and inventions in human history have been made __18__ a result of curiosity. __19__ the curiosity is never about unimportant things, which have __20__ or nothing to do with the happiness of the public.

语篇解读：每个人都有一颗好奇的心，那么好奇是好事还是坏事呢？本文就这一问题展开了论述。

　　1．A.good B．wrong

　　C．right D．special

　　解析：选B　结合后面的"Whether it is good or bad"可知，好奇本身没有什么错。

　　2．A.works B．puts

　　C．takes D．depends

　　解析：选D　好奇是好还是坏取决于人们所好奇的事情。 depend on "依靠；取决于"。

　　3．A.always B．sometimes

　　C．seldom D．neither

　　解析：选B　根据后面讲述的内容可知，好奇有时候是愚蠢或错误的。

　　4．A.full B．fond

　　C．proud D．lack

　　解析：选A　结合 "with nothing to do" 可知，有些无所事事的人就对他们的邻居做什么充满了好奇。

　　5．A.angry B．worried

　　C．pleased D．anxious

　　解析：选D　由"curiosity"一词可知，他们急切地想知道邻居家吃什么或喝什么。

　　6．A.how B．when

　　C．why D．where

　　解析：选C　他们好奇邻居为什么回来得这么早或晚。

　　7．A.silly B．necessary

　　C．possible D．funny

解析：选A　与该段首句 "Curiosity is __3__ silly or wrong." 可知，对这些事情好奇