Have you ever wondered why certain pop songs ...

Have you ever wondered why certain pop songs just make you feel so good?

Researchers studying the question found that the right combination of uncertainty and surprise is what gives listeners the most pleasure.

The study, published in the journal Current Biology, involved an analysis of 80,000 chords( 和弦)in 745 pop songs from the US Billboard “Hot 100” chart between 1958 and 1991.

The researchers - from institutes in Germany, Norway, Denmark and the UK - used a machine-learning model to quantify the level of uncertainty and surprise of these chords, and then asked 39 adult volunteers to rate how pleasurable they found each series of chords.

Each song was stripped of its melody and lyrics(歌词)so that only chord progressions were left and the results couldn’t be influenced by other associations to the songs that listeners might have had.

They found two things: that participants got greater pleasure when they were relatively certain what would happen next but then were surprised by an unexpected chord progression. However, the same number of participants found it pleasant when they were uncertain as to what would follow, and then the subsequent chords were more familiar to them.

“It is fascinating that humans can get pleasure from a piece of music just by how sounds are ordered over time,” Vincent Cheung, the lead researcher on the paper from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Germany, said in a statement.

“Songs that we find pleasant are likely those which strike a good balance between knowing what is going to happen next and surprising us with something we did not expect. Understanding how music activates our pleasure system in the brain could explain why listening to music might help us feel better when we are feeling blue.”

Cheung told CNN that pleasure in music has a lot to do with what listeners expect. Previous studies had looked into the effects of surprise on pleasure, but he and his colleagues’ study also focused on the uncertainty of listeners’ predictions.

The findings may help improve artificial musical algorithms(算法)and could help composers write music or predict musical trends.

“The idea is that hopefully as a scientist analyzing these patterns of pleasure in humans, you can somehow work out where music can go next,” Peter Harrison, a researcher at Queen Mary University, London, who worked on the project, told CNN.

As part of the same experiment, the researchers also used brain imaging to locate the areas of the brain reflected in musical pleasure. They found the regions involved were the amygdala, the hippocampus and the auditory cortex, which process emotions, learning and memory, and sound, respectively.

Cheung added that another part of the brain, the nucleus accumbens - which processes reward expectations - was perhaps responsible for “directing our attention towards the music so that we will try to find out what will happen next.”

1.This passage mainly deals with _____.

A.how composers create pop music trends B.why popular music makes people happy

C.what kind of music makes people most happy D.which part of the brain produces happy music

2.The underlined words in Paragraph 5 have the closest meaning to _____.

A.reserved B.restored C.removed D.refreshed

3.We can learn from the passage that __________.

A.pleasure in music is connected with listeners’ expectations

B.findings of this study are of little help to music composing

C.the regions of the brain mentioned process music composing

D.only uncertainty followed by familiarity can bring about pleasure

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Have you ever wondered why you sometimes take an almost immediate liking to a person you have just met? We often get the first impression of a people based on the color of a person’s skin or the manner in which he or she dressed. Meaning is conveyed not only by words or verbal languages but also by nonverbal communication systems, such as body behaviors.

Nonverbal communication is important because we use the actions of others to learn about their affective emotional states .Our emotions are reflected in our posture, face, and eyes—be it fear, joy, anger, or sadness—so we can express them without ever saying a word .For this reason, most of us rely heavily on what we learn through our eyes.

Nonverbal communication is significant in human interaction because it is usually responsible for the first impressions. More importantly, those first messages usually influence the perception(感知) of everything else that follows. Even how we select friends and sexual partners is grounded in first impressions with nonverbal communication.

Nonverbal communication is important because it is culture-related. It is based on different beliefs, religions, values and customs in different cultures. When, where, how, and to whom people display his or her specific nonverbal behaviors is greatly affected by culture and context. Culture determines what the appropriate nonverbal behavior is. For example, feelings of friendship exist everywhere but their expression varies. It may be appropriate in some countries for man to embrace each other and for women to hold hands; in other countries these displays of affection may be shocking. Each culture has its own specific interpretation on nonverbal communication. What is acceptable in one culture may be completely unacceptable in another. One culture may determine that snapping fingers to call a waiter is acceptable; another may consider this gesture rude.

1. What is the best title of the passage ?

2. We can know a person’s feeling through our eyes because_________.

3. Which of the following statements is not True ?

4.What can we conclude from the last paragraph ?

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

B

Have you ever wondered why you sometimes take an almost immediate liking to a person you have just met? We often get the first impression of a people based on the color of a person’s skin or the manner in which he or she dressed. Meaning is conveyed not only by words or verbal languages but also by nonverbal communication systems, such as body behaviors.

Nonverbal communication is important because we use the actions of others to learn about their affective emotional states .Our emotions are reflected in our posture, face, and eyes—be it fear, joy, anger, or sadness—so we can express them without ever saying a word .For this reason, most of us rely heavily on what we learn through our eyes.

Nonverbal communication is significant in human interaction because it is usually responsible for the first impressions. More importantly, those first messages usually influence the perception(感知) of everything else that follows. Even how we select friends and sexual partners is grounded in first impressions with nonverbal communication.

Nonverbal communication is important because it is culture-related. It is based on different beliefs, religions, values and customs in different cultures. When, where, how, and to whom people display his or her specific nonverbal behaviors is greatly affected by culture and context. Culture determines what the appropriate nonverbal behavior is. For example, feelings of friendship exist everywhere but their expression varies. It may be appropriate in some countries for man to embrace each other and for women to hold hands; in other countries these displays of affection may be shocking. Each culture has its own specific interpretation on nonverbal communication. What is acceptable in one culture may be completely unacceptable in another. One culture may determine that snapping fingers to call a waiter is acceptable; another may consider this gesture rude.

61. What is the best title of the passage?

A. Nonverbal communication and first impression

B. Nonverbal communication is culture-related

C. Nonverbal and verbal communication

D. The importance of nonverbal communication

62. We can know a person’s feeling through our eyes because_________.

A. we can see a person’s feeling on his face.

B. a person’s emotions can be reflected through eyes.

C. a person’s feeling can be reflected through his body languages

D. we can see a person’s feeling through his posture

63. Which of the following statements is not True?

A. Meaning can be conveyed both by words and body language.

B. We can use nonverbal communication to learn about a person’s emotional states.

C. We often get the first impression by what a person says.

D. The first impression can affect what we will do in the following.

64. How many reasons are mentioned in the text to show nonverbal communication is important?

A. 2            B. 3            C. 4              D.5

65. What can we conclude from the last paragraph?

A. we can use different ways to express friendship

B. each culture has its own specific interpretation on nonverbal communication

C. snapping fingers to call a waiter is acceptable

D. learning a country’s culture is very important.

高三英语阅读理解简单题查看答案及解析

Have you ever wondered why birds sing? Maybe you thought that they were just happy. After all, you probably sing or whistle when you are happy.

Some scientists believe that birds do sing some of the time just because they are happy. However they sing most of the time for a very different reason. Their singing is actually a warning to other birds to stay out of their territory.

Do you know what a ‘territory’ is? A territory is an area that an animal, usually the male, claims as its own. Only he and his family are welcome there. No other families of the same species are welcome. Your yard and house are your territory where only your family and friends are welcome. If a stranger should enter your territory and threaten you, you might shout. Probably this would be enough to frighten him away.

If so, you have actually scared the stranger away without having to fight him. A bird does the same thing. But he expects an outsider almost any time, especially at nesting（筑巢）season. So he is screaming all the time, whether he can see an outsider or not. This screaming is what we call a bird’s song, and it is usually enough to keep an outsider away.

Birds sing loudest in the spring when they are trying to attract a mate and warn others not to enter the territory of theirs.

You can see that birds have a language of their own. Most of it has to do with attracting mates and setting up territories.

1.Some scientists believe that most of the time bird’s singing is actually________.

A. an expression of happiness    B. a way of warning

C. an expression of anger        D. a way of greeting

2.What does the underlined word “territory’’ mean?

A. A place where families of other species are not accepted

B. A place where a bird may shout at the top of its voice

C. An area for which birds fight against each other

D. An area which a bird considers to be its own

3.Why do birds keep on singing at nesting season?

A. Because they want to invite more friends

B. Because their singing helps frighten outsiders away

C. Because they want to find outsiders around

D. Because their singing helps get rid of their fears

4.How does the writer explain bird’s singing?

A. By comparing birds with human beings

B. By reporting experiment results

C. By describing birds’ daily life

D. By telling a bird’s story

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Have you ever wondered why birds sing? Maybe you thought that they were just happy. After all, you probably sing or whistle when you are happy.

Some scientists believe that birds do sing some of the time just because they are happy. However, they sing most of the time for a very different reason. Their singing is actually a warning to other birds to stay out of their territory.

Do you know what a “territory” is? A territory is an area that an animal, usually the male, claim (声称) as its own. Only he and his family are welcome there. No other families of the same species (物种) are welcome. Your yard and house are your territory where only your family and friends are welcome. If a stranger should enter your territory and threaten you, you might shout. Probably this would be enough to frighten him away.

If so, you have actually scared the stranger away without having to fight him. A bird does the same thing. But he expects an outsider almost any time, especially at nesting(筑巢) season. So he is screaming all the time, whether he can see an outsider or not. This screaming is what we call a bird’s song, and it is usually enough to keep an outsider away.

Birds sing loudest in the spring when they are trying to attract a mate and warn others not to enter the territory of theirs.

You can see that birds have a language all their own. Most of it has to do with attracting mates and setting up territories.

1.Some scientists believe that most of the time birds’ singing is actually____.

A. an expression of happiness

B. a way of warning

C. an expression of anger

D. a way of greeting

2.What is a birds’ “territory”?

A. A place where families of other species are not accepted.

B. A place where a bird may shout at the top of its voice.

C. An area for which a birds fight against each other.

D. An area which a bird considers to be its own.

3.Why do birds keep on singing at nesting season?

A. Because they want to invite more friends.

B. Because their singing helps frighten outsiders away.

C. Because they want to find outsiders around.

D. Because their singing helps get rid of their fears.

4.How does the writer explain birds’ singing?

A. By comparing birds with human beings.

B. By reporting experiment results.

C. By describing birds’ daily life.

D. By telling a bird’s story

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Have you ever wondered why some people are able to have confidence to spare when it comes to taking risks such as starting their own business or taking a year off to travel without an enormous safety net? The answer is that they’ve 　　 the art of optimistic thinking. The good news is that 　　 some people are simply born to be optimistic, anyone can 　　 to take a more positive approach towards their life.

Optimists look for 　 outcomes. This doesn’t mean that optimists always jump into things carelessly and hope for 　 , rather that they do not let potential negative outcomes 　 the potential positive outcomes. By hoping so and having 　 that they can handle any negatives, optimists are 　 to take advantage of opportunities that come their way.

Optimists believe that their actions can make a 　 . They do not see their own efforts as being 　　 . They understand that they do have the power to make things happen and take steps to make their dreams a reality. 　 , pessimists have a difficult time believing that what they do will make any difference and find it 　 to make any changes or take any action towards achieving a goal. They find 　 why something that has worked for others will not work for them and believe that anything they do is certain to 　 . This makes it difficult for them to get out of situations that make them 　 , such as a dead-end job that makes them miserable.

Optimists do not internalize(使内在化)failure. When things don’t 　 for them, they don’t beat themselves up over it. They are able to accept failure as a part of life and try 　 with a positive attitude. They are often better able to learn from their 　 . When pessimists do take chances and fail, they have a hard time not 　 themselves and concluding that this is the way that it has to be. One 　 can leave them with a sense of being unworthy or completely at the mercy of others.

That’s why optimists become successful!

1.A. understood 　　　 B. mastered　　　　 C. studied 　　　 D. found

2.A. if 　　 　　　　　　 B. because 　 　　 C. unless 　 　　　 D. while

3.A. respond 　　　　 B. continue 　　 C. learn 　 　　　　 D. return

4.A. positive 　　　 B. possible　　　　 C. different 　　 D. particular

5.A. the worst 　　　　 B. the least　　　 C. the best 　　　 D. the most

6.A. overcome 　　　 　 B. overlook　　　　 C. overload 　　　 D. overtake

7.A. faith 　 　　　　　 B. work 　 　　　　 C. trouble 　　 D. control

8.A. eager　 　　　　　 B. unwilling 　　 C. ready 　 　　　　 D. likely

9.A. change 　　　　　 B. difference 　 C. fortune 　　 D. fame

10.A. endless 　　　　 B. precious　　　　 C.special 　　　　 D. meaningless

11.A. In fact　　　　 B. In general　　 C. In contrast 　 D. In short

12.A. rewarding 　　　 B. amazing　　　　 C.difficult　　　　 D. impossible

13.A. excuses 　　　　 B. causes　　　　　 C. explanations D. faults

14.A. end 　　 　　　　　 B. start 　　　　 C. fail 　 　　　　 D. fall

15.A. responsible 　　 B. unhappy　　　　 C. competitive D. unclear

16.A. run out 　　　　 B. make out　　　　 C. work out 　　　 D. look out

17.A. hard 　　 　　　　 B. out 　 　　　　　 C. again　 　　　　 D. instead

18.A. experience 　　 B. mistakes　　　　 C. friends 　　　　 D. faiths

19.A. blaming 　　　 　 B. protecting　　 C. identifying 　 D. presenting

20.A. case 　　 　　　　 B. defeat 　　　　 C. state 　　 　　　 D. example

高三英语完形填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Have you ever wondered why some of the smartest students in your class sometimes ____ failing exams?

A．take up            B．pick up      C．come up     D．end up

高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

I just wonder ________ that makes you so excited.

A. why it does　　 　　　 B. what it does

C. how it is　　 　　　　　 D. what it is

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Have you ever wondered?

（1）Why do airplanes take longer to fly west than east?

It can take five hours to go west-east from New York (NY) to London but seven hours to travel east-west from London to NY. The reason for the difference is an atmospheric phenomenon known as the jet(喷射) stream. The jet stream is a very high altitude wind which always blows from the west to the east across the Atlantic. The planes moving at a constant air speed thus go faster in the west-east direction when the air moving with the wind than in the opposite direction.

（2）What would happen if the gravity on Earth was suddenly turned off?

Supposing we could magically turn off gravity. Would buildings and other structures float away? What happened would depend on how strongly the things were attached to the Earth. The Earth is moving at quite a speed moving at over a thousand miles per hour. If you turn something round your head on a string, it goes around in a circle until you let go of the string. Then it flies off in a straight line. “Switching off” gravity would be like letting go of the string. Things not attached to the Earth would fly off in a straight line. People in buildings would suddenly shoot upwards at a great speed until they hit the ceiling. Most things would fly off into space.

1.What information can we get from the first passage?

A. It is the jet stream that affects how fast airplanes fly.

B. Planes go slower when they are moving with the wind.

C. It takes more time to fly from NY to London than from London to NY.

D. The jet stream always blows from the east to the west across the Atlantic.

2.The word “shoot” underlined in the 2nd paragraph probably means“________”.

A. send for　　 B. move quickly　　 C. come out　　 D. grow quickly

3.It can be inferred that without gravity ________.

A. buildings and other structures would float away

B. trees and buildings would not so easily fly off

C. something around your head would not float away

D. everything outside buildings would fly off into space

4.Where can we most probably read this text?

A. In a research paper.　　 B. In a short story.

C. In a travel magazine.　　 D. In a students’ book.

高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

I just wonder ________ that makes you so excited．

A． why it does     B． what he does   C． how it is       D． what it is

高三英语单项填空困难题查看答案及解析