Inventor, physicist, surveyor, astronomer, biologist, artist… Robert Hooke was all there and more.
Some say he was the greatest experimental scientist of the 17th century. In the course of his work, he
cooperated with famous men of science like Isaac Newton, and the great architect, Christopher Wren.
Hooke's early education began at home, under the guidance of his father. He entered Westminster
School at the age of 13, and from there went to Oxford, where he came in contact with some of the best
scientists in England. Hooke impressed them with his skills at designing experiments and inventing
instruments. In 1662, at he age of 28, he was named Curator of Experiments at the newly formed Royal
Society of London- meaning that he was responsible for demonstrating(展示) new experiments at the
society's weekly meeting. Hooke accepted the job, even though he knew that the society had no money
to pay him!
Watching living things through a microscope was one of his favourite pastimes(消遣). He invented a
compound microscope(显微镜) for this purpose. One day while observing a cork(软木塞) under a
microscope, he saw honeycomb-like structures. There were cells -the smallest units of life. In fact, it was
Hooke who invented the term "cell" as the boxlike cells of the cork reminded him of the cells of a
monastery(修道院).
Another achievement of Hooke's was his book Micrographia, which introduced the enormous
potential(潜力) of the microscope. It contains fascinating drawings of the thing he saw under the
microscope. The book also includes, among other things, ideas on gravity, light and combustion(燃烧)
that may have helped scientists like Newton when they were developing their own theories on these
phenomena(现象).
Hooke made valuable contributions to astronomy too. A crater(火山口) on the moon is named after
him in honour of his services to this branch of science.
1. We can infer from paragraph 2 that Hooke is ____________.
A. friendly
B. sociable
C. creative
D. helpful
2. Which is the possible reason why Hooke accepted the job as Curator of Experiments?
A. He liked designing experiments.
B. His family needed his support.
C. He wanted to please the famous scientists in England.
D. His parents couldn't afford his education.
3. The cell got its name because of __________.
A. its use
B. its shape
C. Hooke's favourites
D. Hooke's experiences
4. Which of the following is true according to the text?
A. Hooke went to Oxford in 1645.
B. Hooke was well paid in the Royal Society of London.
C. Hooke made a contribution to medicine.
D. Hooke's book Micrographia may have helped Newton.
5. The last paragraph is to prove that _____________.
A. Hooke was the greatest experimental scientist of the 17th century
B. Hooke was good at making discoveries
C. Hooke's contributions were not limited to one field
D. Hooke was one of the greatest astronomers
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