The Vienna-based researchers showed that dogs will stop doing a simple task when not rewarded if another dog, which continues to be rewarded, is present.
The experiment consisted of taking pairs of dogs and getting them to present a paw for a reward.On giving this “handshake” the dogs received a piece of food.One of the dogs was then asked to shake hands, but received no food.The other dog continued to get the food when it was asked to perform the task.
The dog without the reward quickly stopped doing the task, and showed signs of anger or stress when its partner was rewarded.
To make sure that the experiment was really showing the interaction between the dogs rather than just the frustration of not being rewarded, a similar experiment was conducted where the dogs performed the task without the partner.Here they continued to present the paw for much longer.
Dr Frederike Range from the University of Vienna says this shows that it was the presence of the rewarded partner that was the greater influence on their behaviour.
“The only difference is one gets food and the other doesn’t, they are responding to being unequally rewarded.” she said.
The researchers say this kind of behaviour, where one animal gets frustrated with what is happening with another, has only been observed in primates(灵长类) before.
Studies with various types of monkeys and chimpanzees show they react not only to seeing their partners receiving rewards when they are not, but also to the type of reward.
The dog study also looked at whether the type of reward made a difference.Dogs were given either bread or sausage, but seemed to react equally to either.Dr Range says this may be because they have been trained.
57.The dogs refused to give the paw when they_______.
A.found another dog was given nothing
B.felt they were not treated equally
C.were aware they received less food
D.were given too much reward
58.What would the dogs do if they presented their paw alone?
A.They would go on with the performance much longer.
B.They would be too shy to present their paw.
C.They would miss their partners.
D.They would compare what they got with that of others.
59.According to the passage, compared with dogs, monkeys and chimpanzees ______.
A.pay no attention to the type of reward
B.only like to play interesting games
C.pay attention to the type of reward as well as whether they are rewarded
D.care more about how they are rewarded
60.Which of the following can best summerise the passage?
A.Animals’ various ways to show anger
B.Dogs are more envious than man
C.Most animals want to be be rewarded for their work
D.Animals also have a sense of fairplay
The latest research suggests that the key factor separating geniuses from the merely accomplished is not I.Q., a generally bad predictor of success. Instead, it’s purposeful practice. Top performers spend more hours practising their craft. It you wanted to picture how a typical genius might develop, you’d take a girl who possessed a slightly above average language ability. It wouldn’t have to be a big talent, just enough so that she might gain some sense of distinction. Then you would want her to meet, say, a novelist, who coincidentally shared some similar qualities. Maybe the writer was from the same town, had the same family background, or shared the same birthday.
This contact would give the girl a vision of her future self. It would hive her some idea of a fascinating circle who might someday join. It would also help if one of her parents died when she was 12, giving her a strong sense of insecurity and fuelling a desperate need for success. Armed with this ambition, she would read novels and life stories of writers without end. This would give her a primary knowledge of her field. She’s be able to see new writing in deeper ways and quickly understand its inner workings.
Then she would practise writing. Her practice would be slow, painstaking and error-focused. By practising in this way, he delays the automatizing process. Her mind wants to turn conscious, newly learned skills into unconscious. Automatically performed skills. By practising slowly, by breaking skills down into tiny parts and repeating, she forces the brain to internalize a better pattern of performance. Then she would find an adviser who would provide a constant stream of feedback, viewing her performance form the outside, correcting the smallest errors, pushing her to take on tougher challenges. By now she is redoing problems—how do I get characters into a room—dozens and dozens of times. She is establishing habits of thought she can call upon in order to understand or solve future problems.
The primary quality our young writer possesses is not some mysterious genius. It’s the ability to develop a purposeful, laborious and boring practice routine; the latest research takes some of the magic out of great achievement. But it underlines a fact that is often neglected. Public discussion is affected by genetics and what we’re “hard-wired” to do. And it’s true that genes play a role in our capabilities. But the brain is also very plastic. We construct ourselves through behaviour.The passage mainly deals with________.
A.the function of I.Q. in cultivating a writer |
B.the relationship between genius and success |
C.the decisive factor in making a genius |
D.the way of gaining some sense of distinction |
By reading novels and writers’ stories, the girl could________.
A.come to understand the inner structure of writing |
B.join a fascinating circle of writers someday |
C.share with a novelist her likes and dislikes |
D.learn from the living examples to establish a sense of security |
In the girl’s long painstaking training process, ________.
A.her adviser forms a primary challenging force to her success. |
B.her writing turns into an automatic pattern of performance |
C.she acquires the magic of some great achievement |
D.she comes to realize she is “hard-wired” to write |
What can be concluded from the passage?
A.A fuelling ambition plays a leading role in one’s success |
B.A responsible adviser is more important than the knowledge of writing. |
C.As to the growth of a genius, I.Q. Doesn’t matter, but just his|her effort. |
D.What really matters is what you do rather then who you are. |
“Get your hands off me, I have been stolen,” the laptop, a portable computer, shouted. That is a new solution to laptop computer theft: a program that lets owners give their property a voice when it has been taken.
The program allows users to display alerts on the missing computer’s screen and even to set a spoken message. Tracking software for stolen laptops has been on the market for some time, but this is thought to be the first that allows owners to give the thief a piece of their mind.
Owners must report their laptop missing by visiting a website, which sends a message to the model: a red and yellow “lost or stolen” sign appears on its screen when it is started. Under the latest version(版本)of the software, users can also send a spoken message.
The message can be set to reappear every 30 seconds, no matter how many times the thief closes it.” One customer sent a message saying,’ You are being tracked. I am right at your door’,” said Carrie Hafeman, chief executive of the company which produces the program, Retriever.
In the latest version, people can add a spoken message. For example, the laptop’s speakers will say: “Help, this laptop is reported lost or stolen. If you are not my owner, report me now.”
The Retriever software package, which costs $29.95 but has a free trial period, has the functions of many security software programs .Owners can remotely switch to an alternative password if they fear that the thief has also got hold of the access details.
If a thief accesses the internet with the stolen laptop, Retriever will collect information on the internet service provider in use, so that the police can be alerted to its location.
Thousands of laptops are stolen every year form homes and offices, but with the use of laptops increasing, the number stolen while their owners are out and about has been rising sharply.
Other security software allows users to erase data remotely or lock down the computer. The expression “to give the thief a piece of their mind “can be understood as “_______”
A.to give the thief an alert mind |
B.to express the owners’ anger to the thief |
C.to remind the thief of this conscience |
D.to make the thief give up his mind |
Different from other security software, Retriever can_______.
A.record the stealing process | B.help recognize the lost laptop |
C.lock down the computer remotely | D.send a spoken message |
One function of the program is that it allows the owner to _______ at a distance.
A.change some access details for switching on the laptop |
B.turn on the laptop by using the original password |
C.operate the laptop by means of and alternative password |
D.erase the information kept in the stolen laptop |
Which of the following can best summarize the main idea of the passage?
A.With no Retriever, thousands of laptops are stolen every year. |
B.A new soft ware provides a means to reduce laptop theft. |
C.Retriever has helped to find thieves and lost computers. |
D.A new program offers a communication platform with the thief. |
Welcome to Banff, Canada’s first, most famous and arguably most fascinating national park. If you’ve come to ski or snowboard, we’ll see you on the slopes. Skiing is a local favourite too.
While you’re here, try other recreational activities available in our mountains. Popular choices include a Banff Gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain, bathe in the natural mineral waters at the Upper Hot Spring, horse-drawn sleigh ride, drive-your-own-team dog sled excursion, and snowmobile tour to the highland(but not in the national park).
We also recommend you make time to enjoy simple pleasures. After looking around Banff Ave shops, walk a couple of blocks west or south to the scenic Bow River.
True ice skating on frozen Lake Louise where Ice Magic International Ice Sculpture Competition Works are displayed after Jan 25. You can rent skates in Banff or at the sport shop in the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise hotel.
Banff’s backcountry paths access a wilderness world of silence and matchless beauty—cross country skis and snowshoes provide the means. Banff sport shops rent equipment and clothes, or join an organized tour. Although we’ve been many times, we still find the cliffs and icefalls of our frozen canyons worth visiting.
Wildlife watching also creates satisfying memories. We have seen hundreds of the elk and bighorn sheep that attract visitors, yet they still arouse a sense of wonder. And the rare spotting of a cougar, wolf or woodland caribou takes our breath away.
See if simple pleasure work for your Fight in the snow with your kids, walk beside a stream or climb to a high place and admire the view.
—Banff Resort Guide EditorsAccording to the passage, Banff’s backcountry is accessible by_______.
A. cross country skiing B, horse-drawn sleigh riding
C. snowmobilingD. dogsledding Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A.Dogsledding is the most popular sport among local people. |
B.Watching wildlife is a memorable experience. |
C.Travelers should bring their own sports equipment. |
D.Shopping is too simple a pleasure to enjoy. |
The purpose of the writing is to _______.
A.promote scenic spots in Canada |
B.advertise for the sports in Banff |
C.introduce tourist activities in Banff |
D.describe breathtaking views in Banff |
Even at school there had been an unhealthy competition between George and Richard.
“I’ll be the first millionaire in Coleford!” Richard used to boast.
“And you’ll be sorry you knew me,” George would reply “because I’ll be the best lawyer in town!”
George never did become a lawyer and Richard never made any money. Instead both men opened bookshops on opposite sides of Coleford High Street. It was hard to make money from books, which made the competition between them worse.
Now with only one bookshop in town, business was better for George. But sometimes he sat in his narrow , old kitchen and gazed out of the dirty window , thinking about his former rival (竞争对手)。Perhaps he missed him?
George was very interested in old dictionaries, He’d recently found a collector in Australia who was selling a rare first edition. When the parcel arrived, the book was in perfect condition and George was delighted. But while he was having lunch, George glanced at the photo in the newspaper that the book had been wrapped in. He was astonished—the smiling face was older than he remembered but unmistakable! Trembling, George started reading.
“Bookends have bought ten bookstores from their rivals Dylans. The company, owned by multi-millionaire Richard Pike, is now the largest bookseller in Australia. ”George and Rivhard wereat school.
A.roommates | B.good friends |
C.competitors | D.booksellers |
How did George feel about Richard after his disappearance?
A.He envied Richard’s marriage. |
B.He thought of Richard from time to time. |
C.He felt lucky with no rival in town. |
D.He was guilty of Richard’s death. |
George got information about Richard from.
A.a dictionary collector in Australia |
B.the latter’s rivals Dylans |
C.a rare first edition of a dictionary |
D.the wrapping paper of a book |
What happened to George and Richard in the end?
A.Both George and Richard became millionaires. |
B.Both of them realized their original ambitions. |
C.George established a successful business white Richard was missing. |
D.Richard became a millionaire while George had no great success. |
Many years ago, when I was fresh out of school and working in Denver, I was driving to my parents' home in Missouri for Christmas. I stopped at a gas station(加油站)about 50 miles from Oklahoma City, where I was planning to stop and visit a friend. While I was standing in line at the cash register(收款台), I said hello to an older couple who were also paying for gas.
I took off, but had gone only a few miles when black smoke poured from the back of my car. I stopped and wondered what I should do. A car pulled up behind me. It was the couple I had spoken to at the gas station. They said they would take me to my friend's. We chatted on the way into the city, and when I got out of the car, the husband gave me his business card.
I wrote him and his wife a thank-you note for helping me. Soon afterward, I received a Christmas present from them. Their note that came with it said that helping me had made their holidays meaningful.
Years later, I drove to a meeting in a nearby town in the morning. In late afternoon I returned to my car and found that I'd left the lights on all day, and the battery(电池)was dead. Then I noticed that the Friendly Ford dealership - a shop selling cars - was right next door. I walked over and found two salesmen in the showroom.
"Just how friendly is Friendly Ford?" I asked and explained my trouble. They quickly drove a pickup truck to my car and started it. They would accept no payment, so when I got home, I wrote them a note to say thanks. I received a letter back from one of the salesmen. No one had ever taken the time to write him and say thank you, and it meant a lot, he said.
"Thank you" - two powerful words. They're easy to say and mean so much.
The author planned to stop at Oklahoma City_________.
A.to visit a friend |
B.to see his parents |
C.to pay at the cash register |
D.to have more gas for his car |
The words “took off” underlined in Paragraph 2 mean “______”.
A.turned off | B.moved off | C.put up | D.set up |
What happened when the author found smoke coming out of his car?
A.He had it pulled back to the gas station. |
B.The couple sent him a business card. |
C.The couple offered to help him. |
D.He called his friend for help. |
The battery of the author’s car was dead because_______.
A.something went wrong with the lights |
B.the meeting lasted a whole day |
C.he forgot to turn off the lights |
D.he drove too long a distance |
By telling his own experiences, the author tries to show______.
A.how to write a thank-you letter |
B.how to deal with car problems |
C.the kind-heartedness of older people |
D.the importance of expressing thanks |