Question

 It seems an unlikely route to the top. Some say medicine might help. But a study says,

  "Who needs brainboosting drugs when you've got ancestors?" Researchers have discovered that,considering your origins gives a better sense of control and can largely boost your chances of success in exams.

  The socalled "ancestor effect" appears to work by acting as a reminder to the brain that seemingly impossible barriers can be overcome. Psychologists think the effect may be rooted in the fact that those,who familiarize themselves with their family history,appear to gain a stronger sense of identity and selfesteem,which somehow boosts intellectual performance.

  In intelligence tests on 80 volunteers,scientists found a noticeable improvement among those who were asked to spend a short while considering what previous generations of their fami?lies had suffered. Those who simply had to recall a more ordinary memory did not fare well.

  The findings suggest remembering the hardships of grandparents,great grandparents and even longforgotten ancestors,seems to have a direct benefit on the brain's ability to meet the demands for its intelligence.

  Researchers reported, "Our ancestors managed to overcome lots of problems,such as bad illnesses,wars,loss of loved ones and economic problems. So when we think about them,we are reminded that humans who are genetically similar to us can successfully overcome a plenty of problems and misfortunes."

  To test their theory,the scientists tested 80 students. They were asked to spend five mi?nutes thinking about their ancestors or a recent trip to the shops. Immediately afterwards,the students were asked how confident they felt about upcoming exams. Those in the two groups that remembered lost generations were more confident about their chances of success. The students then underwent a range of intelligence tests. In one,the"ancestor effect" boosted scores to 14 out of a maximum16,compared with just 10 out of 16 in the other group.

  In a report on their findings the researchers said, "We showed that an easy reminder about our ancestors can significantly increase intellectual performance. Whenever people are in a situa?tion where such performance is extremely important,such as exams and job interviews,they have an easy technique to increase their success."

(   ) 1. According to psychologists,the"ancestor effect" works because it can help people

① better their sense of control

② strengthen their physical energy

③ obtain a stronger sense of identity

④ have a stronger sense of selfesteem

   A. ③④   B. ①③④   C. ②③④   D. ①②③④

(   ) 2. What does the underlined word "fare" (Para.3) most probably mean?

   A. Focus one's mind easily.

   B. Devote oneself to sth.

   C. Progress or get along.

   D. Feel comfortable or relaxed.

(   ) 3. Which of the following is true according to the passage?

   A. Lost generations were more confident than later generations.

   B. Misfortunes and difficulties are necessary on the way to success.

   C. In terms of the "ancestor effect", the spirit of ancestors is stressed.

   D. The"easy technique" mentioned in the passage can be only used in exams.

(   ) 4. What does the passage mainly talk about?

   A. How to overcome nervousness in exams.

   B. Thinking about your ancestors makes you smarter.

   C. Knowing history better is significant for one's development.

   D. One's intelligence is passed down from his/her ancestors.

Answer 1

1-4 ACCB    

A篇：想要在考试中或面试时发挥更高的智力水平吗？那么请先花几分钟想想我们的先辈们吧。"祖先效应"通过对大脑的暗示作用来帮助人们克服很多看似不可能逾越的障碍，因此达到提高成功概率的目的。

1. A细节理解题。根据第二段"Psychologists think the effect may be rooted in the fact that those... appear to gain a stronger sense of iden?tity and selfesteem,which somehow boosts in?tellectual performance."可知，"祖先效应"能够起作用的原因在于它能够帮助人们获得更强的认同感和自尊心。

2. C词义猜测题。根据本段内容及第六段对这一实验的具体介绍及其中"In one,the 'ancestor effect' boosted scores to 14 out of a maximum   16. compared with just 10 out of 16 in the other group."可知，科学家将实验对象分为两组进行智力测试。一组测试者在测试前被要求回想他们家中的先辈们所经历的磨难，而另一组被要求回忆一些普通的事情。前者比后者的测试成绩好。因此此处说的是：回忆祖先的测试者成绩明显提高，而回忆普通事件的测试者成绩没有进步。由此可知画线词的含义为"进展、进步"。

3. C细节理解题。根据第五段内容可知，所谓"祖先效应"就是通过回想先辈们所克服的一切困难联系到我们自身也遗传了这样的基因，因而也能够克服困难，取得成功。因此，它强调了先辈们克服万难的精神。

4. B主旨大意题。通读全文可知，本文通过一项科学实验阐明：回想先辈们所经历的困难能够帮助人们在智力方面发挥出更高的水平，即让人变得更聪明。