Question

【題目】閱讀下列短文，從每題所給的A、B、C和D項中，選出最佳選項。
The marshmallow(棉花糖), a white, cottony, sweet confection (甜食)is synonymous(同義) with “temptation” in the US. This all began 50 years ago when psychologist Walter Mischel sat 5-year-old children down at a table and gave them a simple choice: they could eat one marshmallow now or, if they wait, receive two marshmallows later.
Mischel and his colleagues at Stanford wanted to understand the nature of self-control. If children could avoid eating the marshmallow over a set period of time, they were told they’d receive two as reward. If they couldn’t resist temptation, they wouldn’t get the second treat.
The Marshmallow Test became famous due to a remarkable discovery made some years later. Those children who were able to resist temptation for the reward of two marshmallows grew into adults who were more successful in school, work and relationships. They were also thinner, calmer, more sociable, better at managing their money, and less likely to be addicted to any substances.
It seems having the ability to wait for two marshmallows is quite important. In the US, there are “Don’t Eat the Marshmallow!” T-shirts, and investment companies have used the marshmallow test to encourage retirement planning, according to The Atlantic.
Many people have interpreted the results of the Marshmallow Test to mean fate is predetermined by one’s biology. But Mischel has just published a new book — The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control — which claims the true meaning of the experiments is just the opposite.
“The most important thing we learned is that self-control — the ability to regulate one’s own emotions — involves a set of skills that can be taught, and learned,” Mischel told journalism website Vox.com. “They’re acquirable. Nothing is predetermined.”
What’s more, he says, these experiments provide concrete lessons about self-control we can use as adults. Grown-ups can use these methods to quit smoking, or stick to a diet, or save money.
Mischel and other psychologists argue that the battle between instant gratification (one marshmallow now) and long-term gratification (two marshmallows later) is really a battle between two different systems in the brain.
（1）The purpose of the “Marshmallow Test” done by Mischel and his colleagues was_________.
A.to know the children’s self-control ability
B.to have a test about the children’s quality
C.to prove “resisting temptation” is a good quality
D.to find some methods for adults to quit smoking, or save money
（2）Why did the Marshmallow Test become famous some years later?
A.Because the test was a remarkable discovery．
B.Because the experiment provided concrete lessons about self-control．
C.Because the ones who resisted temptation in the test became more successful later．
D.Because it proved the ability to wait for two marshmallows is quite important．
（3）What does the underlined sentence in the 4th paragraph probably mean?
A.You should know that the marshmallow can’t be eaten．
B.You should know that the marshmallow tastes awful．
C.It is just an interesting sentence, and has no real meaning．
D.You need to wait, you need to resist temptation．
（4）In Mischel’s book The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control, he may tell us except ___________.
A.having the ability to wait for two marshmallows is quite important
B.adults can use self-control to quit smoking, or stick to a diet, or save money
C.personality is not predetermined by one’s biology
D.the ability of self-control can be taught, and learned
（5）Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the text?
A.Mischel thought the Marshmallow Test proved that “fate is predetermined by biology”.
B.The ability to regulate one’s own emotions involves a set of acquired skills．
C.Instant gratification and long-term gratification is a battle in the brain．
D.Some parts of the brain allow us to control our attention．

Answer 1

【答案】
（1）A
（2）C
（3）D
（4）C
（5）A
【解析】①從文中第二段“Mischel and his colleagues at Stanford wanted to understand the nature of self-control.”可知。
②從第三段“The Marshmallow Test became famous due to a remarkable discovery...,”而這個discovery 的具體內容就是“Those children who were able to resist temptation for the reward of two marshmallows grew into adults who were more successful in school, work and relationships.”
③結合全文來看,文中的棉花糖代表著一種誘惑,這句話的意思是“要抵制誘惑”。
④從全文來看,Mischel 主要是研究自控能力的問題,所以C選項的“性格問題”不會在這本主要談論自控能力的書里。
⑤從五段“Many people have interpreted the results of the Marshmallow Test to mean fate is predetermined by one’s biology. But Mischel... ”此處轉折以及后文可知Mischel并不認為實驗的意義在此。