SectionⅠ Use ofEnglish
Directions:
Read the following text. Choose thebest word(s) for each numbered blank and mark [A],[B], [C] or [D] on the ANSWERSHEET. (10 points)
Why do people read negative Internetcomments and do other things that will obviously be painful? Because humanshave an inherent need to 1 uncertainty, according to a recent study inPsychological Science. The new research reveals that the need to know is strongthat people will 2 to satisfy their curiosity even when it is clear the answerwill 3 .
In a series of experiments, behavioralscientists at the University of Chicago and the Wisconsin school of Businesstested students’ willingness to 4 themselves to unpleasant stimuli in an effortto satisfy curiosity. For one 5 , each participant was shown a pile of pensthat the researcher claimed were from a previous experiment. The twist? Half ofthe pens would 6 an electric shock when clicked.
Twenty-seven students were told withpens were electrified; another twenty-seven were told only that some wereelectrified. 7 left alone in the room. The students who did not know which oneswould shock them clicked more pens and incurred more shocks than the students whoknew that would 8 . Subsequent experiments reproduced this effect with otherstimuli, 9 the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard and photographs ofdisgusting insects.
The drive to 10 is deeply rooted inhumans, much the same as the basic drives for 11 or shelter, says ChristopherHsee of the University of Chicago. Curiosity is often considered a goodinstinct—it can 12 new scientific advances, for instance—but sometimes such 13can backfire. The insight that curiosity can drive you to do 14 things is aprofound one.
Unhealthycuriosity is possible to 15 ,however. In a final experiment, participants who were encouraged to 16 how theywould feel after viewing an unpleasant picture were less likely to 17 to seesuch an image. These results suggest that imagining the 18 of following throughon one’s curiosity ahead of time can help determine 19 it is worth theendeavor. Thinking about long-term 20 is key to reducing the possible negativeeffects of curiosity,”Hsee says. In other words, don’t read online comments.
1 ．A ．ignore B ．protect C ．discussD ．resolve
2 ．A ．refuse B ．seek C ．wait D ．regret
3 ．A ．rise B ．last C ．hurt D ．mislead
4 ．A ．alert B ．expose C ．tieD ．treat
5 ．A ．trial B ．message C ．review D ．concept
6 ．A ．remove B ．deliverC ．weakenD ．interrupt
7 ．A ．Unless B ．If C ．When D ．Though
8 ．A ．change B ．continue C ．disappearD ．happen
9 ．A ．such as B ．rather than C ．regardlessof D ．owing to
10 ．A ．disagree B ．forgive C ．discoverD ．forget
11 ．A ．pay B ．food C ．marriage D ．schooling
12 ．A ．begin with B ．rest on C ．lead toD ．learn from
13 ．A ．inquiry B ．withdrawalC ．persistence D ．diligence
14 ．A ．self-deceptive B ．self-reliantC ．self-evident D ．self-destructive
15 ．A ．trace B ．defineC ．replace D ．resist
16 ．A ．conceal B ．overlook C ．designD ．predict
17 ．A ．choose B ．remember C ．promiseD ．pretend
18 ．A ．relief B ．outcome C ．plan D ．duty
19 ．A ．how B ．why C ．where D ．whether
20 ．A ．limitations B ．investmentsC ．consequences D ．strategies
