Decision-making under Stress
A new review based on a research shows that acute stress affects the way the brain considers the advantages and disadvantages, causing it to focus on pleasure and ignore the possible negative (负面的) consequences of a decision.
The research suggests that stress may change the way people make choices in predictable ways.
“Stress affects how people learn,” says Professor Mara Mather. “People learn better about positive than negative outcomes under stress.”
For example, two recent studies looked at how people learned to connect images(影像) with either rewards or punishments. In one experiment, some of the participants were first stressed by having to give a speech and do difficult math problems in front of an audience; in the other, some were stressed by having to keep their hands in ice water. In both cases, the stressed participants remembered the rewarded material more accurately and the punished material less accurately than those who hadn’t gone through the stress.
This phenomenon is likely not surprising to anyone who has tried to resist eating cookies or smoking a cigarette while under stress –at those moments, only the pleasure associated with such activities comes to mind. But the findings further suggest that stress may bring about a double effect. Not only are rewarding experiences remembered better, but negative consequences are also easily recalled.
The research also found that stress appears to affect decision-making differently in men and women. While both men and women tend to focus on rewards and less on consequences under stress, their responses to risk turn out to be different.
Men who had been stressed by the cold-water task tended to take more risks in the experiment while women responded in the opposite way. In stressful situations in which risk-taking can pay off big, men may tend to do better, when caution weighs more, however, women will win.
This tendency to slow down and become more cautious when decisions are risky might also help explain why women are less likely to become addicted than men: they may more often avoid making the risky choices that eventually harden into addiction.
1. We can learn from the passage that people under pressure tend to ______.
A. keep rewards better in their memory
B. recall consequences more effortlessly
C. make risky decisions more frequently
D. learn a subject more effectively
2. According to the research, stress affects people most probably in their ______.
A. preference for pleasure B. ways of making choices
C. tolerance of punishments D. responses to suggestions
3. The research has proved that in a stressful situation, ______.
A. women find it easier to fall into certain habits
B. men have a greater tendency to slow down
C. women focus more on outcomes
D. men are more likely to take risks
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题
Decision-making under Stress
A new review based on a research shows that acute stress affects the way the brain considers the advantages and disadvantages, causing it to focus on pleasure and ignore the possible negative (负面的) consequences of a decision.
The research suggests that stress may change the way people make choices in predictable ways.
“Stress affects how people learn,” says Professor Mara Mather. “People learn better about positive than negative outcomes under stress.”
For example, two recent studies looked at how people learned to connect images(影像) with either rewards or punishments. In one experiment, some of the participants were first stressed by having to give a speech and do difficult math problems in front of an audience; in the other, some were stressed by having to keep their hands in ice water. In both cases, the stressed participants remembered the rewarded material more accurately and the punished material less accurately than those who hadn’t gone through the stress.
This phenomenon is likely not surprising to anyone who has tried to resist eating cookies or smoking a cigarette while under stress –at those moments, only the pleasure associated with such activities comes to mind. But the findings further suggest that stress may bring about a double effect. Not only are rewarding experiences remembered better, but negative consequences are also easily recalled.
The research also found that stress appears to affect decision-making differently in men and women. While both men and women tend to focus on rewards and less on consequences under stress, their responses to risk turn out to be different.
Men who had been stressed by the cold-water task tended to take more risks in the experiment while women responded in the opposite way. In stressful situations in which risk-taking can pay off big, men may tend to do better, when caution weighs more, however, women will win.
This tendency to slow down and become more cautious when decisions are risky might also help explain why women are less likely to become addicted than men: they may more often avoid making the risky choices that eventually harden into addiction.
1. We can learn from the passage that people under pressure tend to ______.
A. keep rewards better in their memory
B. recall consequences more effortlessly
C. make risky decisions more frequently
D. learn a subject more effectively
2. According to the research, stress affects people most probably in their ______.
A. preference for pleasure B. ways of making choices
C. tolerance of punishments D. responses to suggestions
3. The research has proved that in a stressful situation, ______.
A. women find it easier to fall into certain habits
B. men have a greater tendency to slow down
C. women focus more on outcomes
D. men are more likely to take risks
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
.His conclusion, ______ on careful research, was acceptable.
A.to base | B.to be based | C.basing | D.based |
高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
The findings of the research, _________ on a lot of experiments, are convincing.
A. to base B. based C. is based D. basing
高二英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析
American and British researchers have proved that judgments based on how someone looks are important. They found that appearance tells a lot about your personality.
The researchers included Laura Naumann of Sonoma State University in California, and Simine Vazire of Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri. They were joined by Sam Gosling of the University of Texas at Austin and Peter J. Rentfrow of Britain's Cambridge University. The results of their study were published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin in December, 2009.
The subjects(接受实验者)were asked to judge the personality of people they had never met. The judges examined pictures of one hundred twenty-three people. The people in the photographs had been told how to stand. They looked into the cameras without showing their feelings. The same people also were photographed the way they themselves wanted to stand. Those who wanted to smile could smile.
Then the judges attempted to decide what the people were like. The researchers compared the judges’ opinions with the way the people who were photographed thought of themselves. Three people who knew those in the photographs well also provided information about their personality and behavior.
The judges looked for ten qualities in the people in the pictures. The qualities included extroversion (having a confident character and enjoying the company of other people) and self-esteem (being satisfied with oneself).
The judges also looked for signs of loneliness, conscientiousness(正义), emotional control and religious and political beliefs.
The researchers said the judges could identify some personalities even when people were pictured in controlled positions. They could recognize personalities like extroversion and self-esteem. But it was hard for the judges to decide about most other personalities under the controlled conditions.
When the people smiled and stood naturally, however, judging their personalities was easy. Then the judges’ choices were correct for nine of the ten personalities.
Researcher Laura Nauman said that we live in the world where first impressions are important.
1. According to the passage, who were the judges?
A. The researchers of the study. B. The subjects in the study.
C. Parents and other adults. D. People in the photographs.
2. Which of the following qualities could the judges identify even when people were pictured in controlled positions?
A. Extroversion B. Religious beliefs C. Loneliness D. Emotional control
3. We can infer from the passage that ____________
A. the study was carried out by four researchers from America.
B. in the study126 people were photographed for judges to decide their personalities.
C. the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin is an official publication(出版物).
D. it was hard to recognize personalities when the people were pictured with natural looks.
4. What will the author most probably talk about next?
A. The quality of the judges. B. The personalities of Laura Nauman.
C. Signs of emotional control. D. The reason why one’s appearance is important.
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Starting the day on an egg could keep your blood pressure under control, research suggests. Scientists have shown that eggs produce proteins with a function similar to that of powerful blood pressure-lowering drugs.
The research, from the University of Alberta in Canada, showed that when eggs come in contact with stomach enzymes (酶) they produce a protein that acts in the same way as Ace inhibitors, but more work is needed to show the effects outside a lab and in the human body.
Earlier this month, British researchers declared that, contrary to popular beliefs, it is healthy to go to work on an egg. They concluded that the type of cholesterol (胆固醇) found in eggs has little effect on increasing heart disease risks.
Researcher Professor Bruce Griffin, from the University of Surrey, said, "The wrong beliefs linking egg eating to high blood cholesterol and heart disease must be corrected. The amount of fat in our diet has an effect on blood cholesterol that is several times greater than the relatively small amounts of cholesterol found in eggs. The UK public do not need to be limiting the number of eggs they eat. They can be encouraged to include them in a healthy diet as they are one of nature's most nutritious foods."
The British Heart Foundation dropped its three-egg-a-week limit in 2005. However, almost half of Britons believe the limit still applies.
1.From the text we know that Ace inhibitors are ________.
A. a kind of protein B. a kind of food
C. a kind of medicine D. a kind of illness
2.According to what Professor Bruce said, eggs ________.
A. are the most nutritious food
B. can be included in a healthy diet
C. have no effect on blood cholesterol
D. are forbidden to be eaten in the UK
3.We can infer from the text that ________.
A. stomach enzymes mixed with eggs can cure heart diseases
B. drugs to lower blood pressure will be replaced by eating eggs
C. most Britons agree the three-egg-a-week limit should be dropped
D. about 50% of Britons think eating an egg a day is bad for their health
4.The text is meant ________.
A. to introduce a medicine made from eggs
B. to introduce scientific findings about eggs
C. to tell people how to lower their blood pressure
D. to advise people to eat as many eggs as possible
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Starting the day on an egg could keep your blood pressure(血压) under control, research suggests. Scientists have shown that eggs produce proteins with a function similar to that of powerful blood pressurelowering drugs.
The research, from the University of Alberta in Canada, showed that when eggs come in contact with stomach enzymes(酶) they produce a protein that acts in the same way as ACE inhibitors, but more work is needed to show the effects outside a lab and in the human body.
Earlier this month, British researchers declared that, contrary to popular beliefs, it is healthy to go to work on an egg. They concluded that the type of cholesterol(胆固醇) found in eggs has little effect on increasing heart disease risks.
Researcher Professor Bruce Griffin, from the University of Surrey, said, “The wrong beliefs linking eggeating to high blood cholesterol and heart disease must be corrected. The amount of fat in our diet has an effect on blood cholesterol that is several times greater than the relatively small amounts of cholesterol found in eggs. The UK public do not need to be limiting the number of eggs they eat. They can be encouraged to include them in a healthy diet as they are one of nature's most nutritious foods.”
The British Heart Foundation dropped its threeeggaweek limit in 2005. However, almost half of Britons believe the limit still applies.
1.From the text we know that “ACE inhibitors” are________.
A.a kind of medicine B.a kind of protein
C.a kind of illness D.a kind of food
2.According to what Professor Bruce said, eggs ________.
A.are the most nutritious food B.have no effect on blood cholesterol
C.can be included in a healthy diet D.are forbidden to be eaten in the UK
3.The text is meant ________.
A.to introduce scientific findings about eggs
B.to introduce a medicine made from eggs
C.to tell people how to lower their blood pressure
D.to advise people to eat as many eggs as possible
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Starting the day on an egg could keep your blood pressure (血压) under control, research suggests. Scientists have shown that eggs produce proteins with a function similar to that of powerful blood pressure-lowering drugs.
The research, from the University of Alberta in Canada, showed that when eggs come in contact with stomach enzymes (酶) they produce a protein that acts in the same way as Ace inhibitors, but more work is needed to show the effects outside a lab and in the human body.
Earlier this month, British researchers declared that, contrary to popular beliefs, it is healthy to go to work on an egg. They concluded that the type of cholesterol (胆固醇) found in eggs has little effect on increasing heart disease risks.
Researcher Professor Bruce Griffin, from the University of Surrey, said: “The wrong beliefs linking egg eating to high blood cholesterol and heart disease must be corrected. The amount of fat in our diet has an effect on blood cholesterol that is several times greater than the relatively small amounts of cholesterol found in eggs. The UK public do not need to be limiting the number of eggs they eat. They can be encouraged to include them in a healthy diet as they are one of nature’s most nutritious foods.”
The British Heart Foundation dropped its three-egg-a-week limit in 2005. However, almost half of Britons believe the limit still applies.
1.From the text we know that Ace inhibitors are .
A. a kind of medicine B. a kind of protein
C. a kind of illness D. a kind of food
2.According to what Professor Bruce said, eggs .
A. are the most nutritious food.
B. have no effect on blood cholesterol
C. can be included in a healthy diet
D. are forbidden to be eaten in the UK
3.We can infer from the text that .
A. drugs to lower blood pressure will be replaced by eating eggs
B. stomach enzymes mixed with eggs can cure heart diseases
C. most Britons agree the three-egg-a-week limit should be dropped
D. about 50% of Britons think eating an egg a day is bad for their health
4.The text is meant to .
A. introduce scientific findings about eggs
B. introduce a medicine made from eggs
C. tell people how to lower their blood pressure
D. advise people to eat as many eggs as possible
高二英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析
Based on new analysis, we are rapidly approaching major climate change and the effects on society and the environment could be quite severe. Geographers predict that within the next eighty years, current world climate zones could shift and some could completely disappear. Polar regions will get colder while tropical regions will get even hotter, forcing animals to migrate (迁徙) north.
Climate changes like these could lead to the spread of diseases. Tropical storms and hurricanes will not only increase but may also become more intense. If the changes come too quickly, animal and plant species may not be able to adapt fast enough and could disappear.
According to Science Daily, a new study predicts that by the year 2100, many of today’s familiar climates will be replaced by climates unknown in today’s world. It is urgent that we reduce the risks of these far-reaching consequences for the whole world. The planet itself has been showing signs of change. In 2004, a serious tsunami created by a major earthquake killed thousands in Sumatra and in 2008, thousands died in China because of another severe earthquake. Egypt was hit in 2009 with a major earthquake and Haiti was devastated in 2010 by yet another massive earthquake.
Within just the last few months, new reports from around the world have been coming in and most agree that our climate situation is much worse than previously thought. At this point, it doesn’t matter what is causing it, but rather, what can be done about it. What’s more, our world is getting more and more unstable every year. There is war and threat of war everywhere. Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and serious.
However, other planets are experiencing global warming as well as our own and some scientists believe there may be some connection between this. No one knows anything for sure at this point because there is simply not enough data.
1. Which of the following would be the best title for the Passage ?
A. Ways to protect our planet. B. Solutions to climate change.
C. Be prepared for climate change. D. Climate change and its effects.
2. What is the author’s purpose in using the examples of earthquakes?
A. To show the damage earthquakes caused.
B. To remind people to prevent future earthquakes.
C. To show major changes are taking place on the planet.
D. To tell us more earthquakes will happen in the future.
3. What does the underlined word “devastated” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A. Separated. B. Destroyed. C. Removed. D. Affected.
4. What can be inferred from the Passage?
A. Animals and plants won’t die out as long as climate changes slowly.
B. There’s enough data for us to predict the future of climate change.
C. The world is getting more unstable because of animal migration.
D. The earth is not the only planet that is experiencing climate change.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Based on new analysis, we are rapidly approaching major climate change and the effects on society and the environment could be quite severe. Geographers predict that within the next eighty years, current world climate zones could shift and some could completely disappear. Polar regions will get colder while tropical regions will get even hotter, forcing animals to migrate (迁徙) north.
Climate changes like these could lead to the spread of diseases. Tropical storms and hurricanes will not only increase but may also become more intense. If the changes come too quickly, animal and plant species may not be able to adapt fast enough and could disappear.
According to Science Daily, a new study predicts that by the year 2100, many of today’s familiar climates will be replaced by climates unknown in today’s world. It is urgent that we reduce the risks of these far-reaching consequences for the whole world. The planet itself has been showing signs of change. In 2004, a serious tsunami created by a major earthquake killed thousands in Sumatra and in 2008, thousands died in China because of another severe earthquake. Egypt was hit in 2009 with a major earthquake and Haiti was devastated in 2010 by yet another massive earthquake.
Within just the last few months, new reports from around the world have been coming in and most agree that our climate situation is much worse than previously thought. At this point, it doesn’t matter what is causing it, but rather, what can be done about it. What’s more, our world is getting more and more unstable every year. There is war and threat of war everywhere. Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and serious.
However, other planets are experiencing global warming as well as our own and some scientists believe there may be some connection between this. No one knows anything for sure at this point because there is simply not enough data.
1.What is the major function of paragraph 1?
A. To arouse the reader’s concern.
B. To introduce the theme of the whole passage.
C. To summarize the whole passage.
D. To state how climate changes.
2.What is the author’s purpose in using the examples of earthquakes?
A. To show major changes are taking place on the planet.
B. To remind people to prevent future earthquakes.
C. To show the damage earthquakes caused.
D. To tell us more earthquakes will happen in the future.
3.Which of the following is NOT true of climate changes’ effects ?
A. Animal and plant species may not be able to adapt fast enough and could disappear.
B. It could lead to the spread of diseases.
C. Current world climate zones could shift and completely disappear.
D. Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and serious.
4.What can be inferred from the Passage?
A. Animals and plants won’t die out as long as climate changes slowly.
B. There’s enough data for us to predict the future of climate change.
C. The world is getting more unstable because of animal migration.
D. The earth is not the only planet that is experiencing climate change.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析
Based on new analysis, we are rapidly approaching major climate change and the effects on society and the environment could be quite severe. Geographers predict that within the next eighty years, current world climate zones could shift and some could completely disappear. Polar regions will get colder while tropical regions will get even hotter, forcing animals to migrate (迁徙) north.
Climate changes like these could lead to the spread of diseases. Tropical storms and hurricanes will not only increase but may also become more intense. If the changes come too quickly, animal and plant species may not be able to adapt fast enough and could disappear.
According to Science Daily, a new study predicts that by the year 2100, many of today’s familiar climates will be replaced by climates unknown in today’s world. It is urgent that we reduce the risks of these far-reaching consequences for the whole world. The planet itself has been showing signs of change. In 2004, a serious tsunami created by a major earthquake killed thousands in Sumatra and in 2008, thousands died in China because of another severe earthquake. Egypt was hit in 2009 with a major earthquake and Haiti was devastated in 2010 by yet another massive earthquake.
Within just the last few months, new reports from around the world have been coming in and most agree that our climate situation is much worse than previously thought. At this point, it doesn’t matter what is causing it, but rather, what can be done about it. What’s more, our world is getting more and more unstable every year. There is war and threat of war everywhere. Natural disasters are becoming more frequent and serious.
However, other planets are experiencing global warming as well as our own and some scientists believe there may be some connection between this. No one knows anything for sure at this point because there is simply not enough data.
1.Which of the following would be the best title for the Passage?
A. Ways to protect our planet.
B. Solutions to climate change.
C. Be prepared for climate change.
D. Climate change and its effects.
2.What is the author’s purpose in using the examples of earthquakes?
A. To show the damage earthquakes caused.
B. To remind people to prevent future earthquakes.
C. To show major changes are taking place on the planet.
D. To tell us more earthquakes will happen in the future.
3.What does the underlined word “devastated” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A. Separated. B. Destroyed.
C. Removed. D. Affected.
4.What can be inferred from the Passage?
A. Animals and plants won’t die out as long as climate changes slowly.
B. There’s enough data for us to predict the future of climate change.
C. The world is getting more unstable because of animal migration.
D. The earth is not the only planet that is experiencing climate change.
高二英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析