Are you shy?If you are,you are not alone. In fact,close to 50 percent of people are shy. Almost 80 percent of people fell shy at some point in their lives. These days,shyness is becoming more and more common. Now,scientists are trying to understand shyness. They have some interesting ideas about why people are shy.

Is it possible to be born shy?Many scientists say yes. They say 15 to 20 percent of babies behave shyly. These babies are a little quieter and more watchful than other babies. Interestingly,these shy babies usually have shy parents. As a result,scientists think that some shyness is genetic.

Family size might cause people to be shy as well. Scientists at Harvard University studied shy children. They found that 66 percent of them had older brothers and sisters. The scientists said that these children were often bullied(欺负)by their older brothers and sisters. As a result,they became shy. At the same time,children with no brothers and sisters may be shy as well. Growing up alone,they often play by themselves. They are not able to learn the same social skills as children from big families.

You may also be shy because of where you were born. When scientists studied shyness in different countries,they found surprising differences. In Japan,most people said they were shy. But in Israel,only one of three people said so. What explains the difference?One scientist says the Japanese and Israelis have different opinions of failure. In Japan,when people do not succeed,they feel bad about themselves. They blame(责备)themselves for their failure. In Israel,the opposite is true. Israelis often blame failure on outside reasons,such as family,teachers,friends or bad luck. In Israel,freedom of opinion and risk taking are strongly supported. This may be why Israelis worry less about failure and are less shy.

For shy people,it can be difficult to make friends,speak in class,and even get a good job. But scientists say you can get over your shyness. They suggest trying new things and practicing conversations. And don’t forget-if you are shy,you are not the only one.

1.What is the passage mainly about?

A. Happiness. B. Shyness. C. Kindness. D. Loneliness.

2.What does the underlined word “genetic” in Paragraph 2 probably mean?

A. Passed down from parents.

B. Learned from friends.

C. Taught by teachers.

D. Made up by brothers.

3.What can be learned from the passage?

A. Most little babies are born shy and quiet.

B. If you are shy now,you will be shy forever.

C. Many shy children have older brothers and sisters.

D. Most Israeli people are shy of expressing opinions.

4.We can learn from the passage that__________ may cause shyness.

A. genetics,grownups and birthplace

B. genetics,family size and birthplace

C. family size,grownups and failure

D. genetics,family size and freedom

5.Scientists suggest that shy people can get over the shyness by_____________.

A. blaming their failure on outside reasons

B. trying new things and practicing conversations

C. getting themselves away from their shy parents

D. trying to understand reasons for their shyness

"Well, we're in our new house. Let's get a new pet." Mrs. Brown says to her husband.

"That sounds like a very good idea," he answers. "Do you want to see the ads(广告) in the newspaper?"

"Let's go to the animal center. Many pets there need homes. Tomorrow is Saturday, so we can both go," she says.

The next morning the Browns meet Mr. Snow at the animal center. "We want to be sure that the pets here go to good homes," Mr. Snow says, "So I need to ask you some questions."

After they talk for a while, the Browns decide to get a small dog. It wouldn't need a big house or a big yard. A small dog would bark (吠) and warn (警告) them if someone try to break into (闯入)their house. After Mr. Snow gives the Browns a book on pet care, they choose one and want to take her home right away. But the animal doctor doesn’t check her yet. So Mr. Snow tells them to return on Sunday.

On Sunday afternoon the Browns go to the animal center. The animal doctor says, "Shadow has all of her shots (预防针). She will be healthy." The Browns thank the doctor and take Shadow home.

1.“The animal center ”in the reading means _____.

A. a place to sell small dogs B. a place to keep homeless animals

C. a place to study animals D. a place to sell books on pet care

2.The Browns thinks that a small dog _____.

A. doesn't need to look after B. can help them watch their house

C. eats less food than a bigger one D. usually has a beautiful name

3.It's right that _____.

A. Shadow will not be easy to get ill B. the Browns are not pleased with Shadow

C. Mr. Snow doesn't check Shadow at all D. Shadow likes barking a lot

六、阅读理解填词

Compassion(同情,怜悯)is a desire within us to help others. With effort, we can translate compassion into actions. An experience last weekend showed me this is t1.. I work part-time in a supermarket across form a building for the elderly. These old people are our main c2., and it's not hard to lose patience over their slowness. But last Sunday, one aged gentleman appeared to teach me a valuable lesson. This untidy man walked up to my register(收款机)with a box of biscuits. He said he was out of cash(现金), had just m3.into his room, and had nothing in his cupboards. He asked if we could let him have the food on t4.. He promised to repay me the next day.

I couldn't help staring at him. I w5.what kind of person he had been ten or twenty years before, and what he would be like if luck had gone his way. I had a hurt in my heart for this kind of human soul, all alone in the world. I told him that I was sorry, but store r6.didn't allow me to do so. I felt stupid and unkind saying this, but I v7. my job.

Just then, another man, s8. behind the first, spoke up. If anything, he looked more pitiable. "Charge it to me," was all he said.

What I had been feeling was pity. Pity is soft and safe and easy. Compassion, on the other hand, is caring in action. I t9.the second man but told him that was not allowed either. Then I reached into my pocket and paid for the biscuits myself. I reached into my pocket because these two men had reached into my h10. and taught me compassion

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网