2008年考研英语阅读理解第四篇原文如下：
Text 4
The idea that some groups of people learn better than others is one of those hypotheses that dare not speak its name. It is not socially or politically correct to declare that some races are innately superior or inferior to others, or that some people are more intelligent or creative than others. Hence, the only way for such conclusions to be reached is to disguise them as the conclusions of research.
This is why multivariate statistics, a method that allows researchers to analyze and compare many variables simultaneously, has come into such widespread use in the social sciences. The method involves measuring a whole range of variables related to students' academic performance, including social, economic, and demographic background, and their personality, and then using a computer program to seek out correlations and interactions among these variables. The outcome has been a series of findings that have the appearance of objectivity, but which in fact tell us very little about the real nature of the problems.
For example, researchers have found that the children of immigrants tend to perform less well at school than the children of native-born citizens. They then conclude that this is because the children of immigrants are more likely to live in poorer neighborhoods, have less access to good schools, and have fewer books at home. Such explanations are too simple. If these factors were the whole story, it would be reasonable to expect that the children of immigrants would perform just as well at school as the children of native-born citizens.
However, the researchers have not taken into account the fact that the children of immigrants are more likely to be from a minority group and, in particular, more likely to be from a minority group that has been historically discriminated against. Discrimination can reduce the educational performance of students from such groups by reducing their motivation and self-esteem. This is particularly true for minority students who do not do well at school.
The researchers have also failed to consider that the children of immigrants are more likely to have parents who do not speak English well. This can affect their children's performance at school in several ways. For one thing, it can make it more difficult for the children to understand what is being taught in class. For another, it can make it more difficult for the children to communicate with their teachers and peers. This can reduce their motivation and self-esteem, and can also lead to behavior problems.
In conclusion, the findings of the researchers tell us very little about the real nature of the problems. They have failed to take into account the complex interactions between various factors that affect students' academic performance. They have also failed to recognize that some of these factors, such as discrimination and poor communication, can have a profound negative impact on students' performance.
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