Question

【题目】Being Left-handed in a Right-handed World

The world is designed for right-handed people, but a tenth of the population prefer the left. 【1】 The answer to it remains a bit of a mystery. Since scientists have noticed that left-handedness tends to run in families, it’s assumed that left-handedness has a genetic(基因的)component to it.【2】 In fact, identical twins, who share the same genes, can sometimes prefer to use different hands. There are also plenty of theories on what else might determine which hand you write with, but many experts believe that it’s kind of random.

Historically, the left side and left-handedness have been considered a negative thing by many cultures. 【3】 In some areas, the left hand became known as the “unclean” hand. In many religions, the right hand of God is the favored hand. For example, Jesus sits at God’s right side. Various activities and experiences become rude or even signs of bad luck when the left hand becomes involved. In some parts of Scotland, it is considered bad luck to meet a left-handed person at the start of a journey. 【4】 A person giving directions will put his left hand behind him and try to point with his right hand if necessary. In some Asian countries, eating with the left hand is considered impolite.

【5】 People come to realize that left-handedness is natural. People even noticed that many famous people are left-handed, including Benjamin Franklin, Leonardo Da Vinci and Charlie Chaplin. Some researchers find out that lefties are more creative and can deal with abstract thinking better. The left-handedness is more easily adaptable to the right-handed world as well. Being left-handed is no longer a sad story now; instead, it is a wonderful gift or maybe it is something you should take pride in.

A. In other words, left-handers are born that way.

B. Left-handedness used to be regarded as a disability.

C. The unfavorable associations of the use of the left hand among cultures are varied.

D. Why do they prefer to use their left hand rather than their right hand for routine activities?

E. Why do some parents force their left-handed children to become right-handed when writing?

F. In Ghana, pointing, gesturing, giving or receiving items with the left hand is considered rude.

G. Fortunately, nowadays most societies and cultures no longer reject left-handedness like before.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】A

【3】C

【4】F

【5】G

【解析】试题分析: 文章主要讲述了左撇子及其形成原因，并讲述了往昔人们对于左撇子的态度和现在的改变。

【1】D 考查对上下文语境的理解。空前的意思是：这个世界是为右手的人设计的，但是为什么十分之一的人更倾向于左撇子。所以这里选D（为什么他们更喜欢使用左手而不是右手用于日常生活。）与上下文一致。

【2】A 考查对上下文语境的理解。空前的意思是：据说左撇子的人有基因的成分在里面；空后的意思是：事实上有同样基因的双胞胎更倾向于使用不同的手。所以这里选A（换句话说，左撇子出生就是那样。）与上下文一致。

【3】C 考查对上下文语境的理解。空前的意思是：在许多文化背景下，左撇子被认为是消极的，不好的；空后的意思是：在一些地区，左手被认为是不干净的手。所以这里选C（在各种文化中左手使用的不好的联想是不同的。）与上下文一致。

【4】F 考查对上下文语境的理解。空前的意思是：在苏格兰，常认为在旅途开始的时候遇到一个左撇子是倒霉的。空后的意思是：一个指方向的人会把他的左手放在背后，甚至如果需要的话会用他们的右手指。所以这里选F（在加纳，用左手指点、做姿势、给予甚至接受被认为是粗鲁的。）与上下文一致。

【5】G 考查对上下文语境的理解。空后的意思是：人们意识到了左撇子很自然。所以这里选G（幸运的是，现在许多社会和文化不再像以前一样反对左撇子了。）与上下文一致。