Too many people in this country, including some among our elected leadership, still do not understand how science works or why robust, long-range investments in research vitally matter.
2016年12月六级真题（第二套）阅读 Section A
柯林斯高阶英汉双解学习词典释义
ADJ-GRADED
必要的;至关重要的;必不可少的
If you say that something is vital, you mean that it is necessary or very important.