Question

【题目】While most of us are happy to take the credit when things go well, few of us are willing to take the blame when things go wrong. Rather than trying to hide our shame or embarrassment, experts found that we are simply less aware when our actions result in a negative outcome.

The research may explain why we often feel it hard to take the blame for our actions. “Our result suggests that people may really experience less responsibility for negative than for positive outcomes,” said Patrick Haggard, leading researcher and professor of the institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London.

In a series of tests, participants were asked to press a key. A sound then followed, either disapproving, neutral (中立的) or approving, and they were then asked to estimate the time between the action and when they had heard the sound.

Researchers found that individuals experienced different levels of responsibility depending on the outcomes. They also discovered they were significantly slower to recognize if their actions had resulted in a bad consequence, compared to when they had done well.

“Effectively, we have found that we experience a negative outcome differently, not just retell it differently. We make a weaker connection when there is a bad result. And respond much more strongly when something good happens,” said Professor Haggard. When something goes right, everyone wants to take the credit, and when things go wrong, nobody is interested in putting their hands up.

The researchers said our brain is “very much concerned” with reward, as good results are key to survival. Although our own perception (认知) of whether we are guilty of something or not is changed by the outcomes, this does not provide a defense if we have done something wrong. “Our experience of our own responsibilities can be misleading and can be strongly colored by the outcomes of our actions.” said Professor Haggard. “We have to take responsibility for what actually do, not just for how we experience things.”

【1】People who don’t take the blame for their actions ________.

A. always try to hide their shame or embarrassment.

B. are only willing to take the credit when things go well

C. feel less responsible for negative than for positive outcomes

D. are less aware of what to do when a negative outcome happens

【2】 Which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. Our level of responsibility can be strongly affected by the outcomes of our actions.

B. When something bad happens, nobody is interested in dealing with the problem.

C. People were quicker to recognize if their actions had resulted in a bad consequence.

D. Participants were asked to count the time between pressing a key and hearing the sound.

【3】 How is the passage developed?

A. By giving examples.

B. By quoting research findings.

C. By analyzing cause and effect.

D. By providing data.

【4】According to the passage, a person who is concerned with reward is ________.

A. awkward B. natural

C. ridiculous D. stubborn

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】C

【2】A

【3】B

【4】B

【解析】

本文属于科普说明文，介绍了人们为什么不愿意承认错误也不愿意承担责任的原因。是因为我们的大脑更在意我们的行动所获得的好的结果，以及最终获得的奖励，却很少关注不好的结果。

【1】C 细节理解题。根据第二段第二句可知，研究结果说明相对于积极的结果，对不好的后果人们很少承担相应的责任。故C项正确。

【2】A 推理判断题。根据第四段第一句可知，研究人员发现根据个人行动不同的结果，人们会体验不同程度的责任心，也就是说人们的责任心是受到我们行动的结果的影响的。故A正确。

【3】B推理判断题。作者在文章中介绍了这一研究的成果，如第二段中Our result suggests that people ...，第四段第一句以及第五段Effectively, we have found...这些都属于引用了研究成果来组织全文。故B正确。

【4】B 推理判断题。首先我们要清楚四个选项的含义。awkward令人尴尬的；难对付的；不方便的；笨拙的；natural自然的；ridiculous 荒谬的；stubborn固执的；根据文章最后一段第一句可知，研究发现我们的大脑对于奖励是非常在意的，因为好结果都会带来奖励。所以一个人关心奖励是很自然的行为。故B正确。