题目内容
When it comes to social behaviour,mammals are in a league of their own.Some birds may form pairs,or even cooperate to hunt,but the complexity (复杂性) of their relationships can hardly compare to those within a school of dolphins,a herd of elephants or a group of humans.What makes mammalian social groups different from a flock of starlings or a shoal of fish,is that in many cases the individuals could recognize each other.Although we may think that? all elephants look pretty much the same,we can easily tell individuals of our own species apart and it has become clear through studies that the same is true of other species.Dolphins have their own signature whistles that act like “names”,and elephants can recognize and greet other individuals they have known but not seen for many years.This is something that only a few species of birds appear to be able to do.
Mammals in complex social groups not only recognize each other as individuals,but also they remember a lot of information about that individual.Social groups often rely on this memory—such as knowing who is dominant to whom,who is related to whom,and who has done what to whom in the past.It’s like remembering who you have lent money to or done a favour for,and who hasn’t repaid that money or has talked about you behind your back.You have to learn who to trust,who your friends are,and who to watch out for.
All this remembering goes on in a particular part of the brain called the neocortex (大脑皮层).If you compare the size of a mammal’s social group with the size of this part of the brain,you will find they are remarkably closely related.This area seems to take a long time to develop fully and animals in which it is very large take a very? long time to grow up to adulthood.During this time,the youngster has to learn all the rules of social behaviour in their group and to piece together all? the relationships between the group members:Knowledge that will be needed to avoid getting into trouble.
1.What is special about a mammalian social group according to the passage?
A.All the individuals cooperate to hunt.
B.The individuals can communicate with each other.
C.The individuals can recognize each other.
D.The individuals form closer relationship.
2.The passage suggests that elephants________.
A.are cleverer than dolphins
B.can recognize other species
C.may mistake a member for another
D.have good memories
3. Animals whose area of the neocortex is large________.
A.will have a long period of time before they become adults
B.will spend a shorter time learning the necessary knowledge
C.will learn the necessary knowledge much more easily
D.will have more difficulty in growing up as adults
4. If the neocortex is larger,the animals________.
A.can live a longer life
B.have a smaller social group
C.have a larger social group
D.have a greater body size
1.C
2.D
3.A
4.C
【解析】
1.
解析 细节理解题。由文章第一段第三句可知,哺乳动物的一大特点是,一个群体中的每个个体都能辨认出其他的个体。
2.2】 D
解析 推理判断题。文章第一段倒数第二句说明,大象如果彼此认识,即使它们多年不见,但重新见面后也能认出对方互相打招呼,这说明它们记忆力很好。
3.3】 A
解析 细节理解题。由文章最后一段第三句可知,如果一个动物的大脑皮层很大,那么它成年所需的时间也就更长。
4.4】 C
解析 推理判断题。由文章最后一段可知,动物大脑皮层部位的大小与它群体的大小存在正相关的关系。故大脑皮层大,对应的社会群体也大。
Gallows humor(黑色幽默) may seem like a mistake, or at least in poor taste. But psychologists say that gallows humor can be an important way to relieve stress.“Humor makes you feel in control and it can give you that feeling that everything is okay even when it’s not,”says James M.Jones, a psychology professor at the University of Delaware.
Psychologists say that just because you’re laughing doesn’t mean you’re wasting time. Occasional tease among colleagues, particularly if it is associated with the job, can inspire creativity, departmental cohesiveness(凝聚力) and performance.
“There are a lot of stresses out there,”says Ed Dunkelblau, a psychologist in Chicago.“Gallows humor is a way of making difficult things a little less difficult.”
This is as long as the humor is used for the right purpose. The main point of it should be inspiring people—not laughing at them. “Anything that would lift morale(士气) in terms of the company would be good humor,”says Thierry Guedj, a professor.
You want to give your employees and co-workers a sense of belonging, so don’t make observations that are aggressive. Most obviously, Dr. Guedj says, don’t make comments about people’s physical appearance or faith. If you have any doubt about its appropriateness, don’t go through with it.
Or you can take aim at the person that you know won’t be offended(冒犯): yourself. “If there’s going to be a joke or story, it should be you,”Mr Dunkelblau says.
“People with the ability to laugh at themselves can give other people permission to laugh at themselves, too,”Mr Jones says.“And if you can laugh at yourself, you feel better about yourself.”
1.According to the passage, gallows humor has the following functions EXCEPT .
A.leading to a big mistake |
B.reducing pressure |
C.making people more creative |
D.improving performance |
2.What is Ed Dunkelblau’s attitude towards gallows humor?
A.Negative. |
B.Positive. |
C.Neutral.(中立的) |
D.Uncertain. |
3.When people use gallows humor, they should .
A.observe who is aggressive |
B.show a sense of belonging |
C.doubt about the result of humor |
D.try to avoid involving private things |
4.What can we infer from the passage?
A.People tend to laugh at others rather than themselves. |
B.Laughing at yourself can make others free from stress. |
C.People can’t avoid offending others with gallows humor. |
D.People who laugh at themselves are easy to gain others’ permission. |
Most people feel lonely sometimes,but it usually only lasts between a few minutes and a few hours,This kind of loneliness is not serious.In fact,it is quite normal.For some people,though,loneliness can last for years.Now researchers say loneliness comes in three different types.
The first kind of loneliness is temporary.This is the most common type.It usually disappears quickly and does not require any special attention.The second kind is situation,for example,family problem,the death of a loved one,or moving to a new place.Although this kind of loneliness can cause physical problems,such as headaches and sleeplessness,it usually does not last for more than a year.The third kind of loneliness is the most serious.Unlike the second type, chronic (the opposite of‘temporary’) usually lasts more than two years and has no specific cause.People who experience habitual loneliness have problems socializing and becoming close to others.Unfortunately,many chronically lonely people think there is little or nothing they can do to improve their condition.
Psychologists(心理学家) agree that one important factor in loneliness is a person’s social contacts,for example,friends,family members,co-workers,etc.We depend on various people for different reasons.For instance.our family give us emotional support,our parents and teachers give us guidance, and our fiends share similar interests and activities.
However,psychologists have found that, though lonely people may have many social contacts,they sometimes feel they should have more.They question their popularity.
Psychologists are trying to find ways to help habitually lonely people for two reasons:they are unhappy and unable to socialize arid there is a connection between chronic loneliness and serious illness such as heart disease,while temporary and situational loneliness can be a sad,and sometimes dangerous condition.
1.How would you treat temporary loneliness according to the passage?
A.Talk to friends. |
B.Go to see a doctor. |
C.Just ignore it. |
D.Ask your teacher for guidance. |
2.Why do psychologists want to help chronically lonely people?
A.Chronic loneliness can cause family problems. |
B.Chronic loneliness is incurable. |
C.Chronic loneliness can not be overcome. |
D.Chronic loneliness call cause serious illness. |
3.Loneliness is divided according to ________.
A.the time it lasts |
B.the places where it appears |
C.different people it happen to |
D.different seasons when it appears |