Question

You either have it, or you don’t — a sense (感觉) of direction, that is. But why is it that some people could find their way across the Sahara without a map, while others can lose themselves in the next street?

Scientists say we’re all born with a sense of direction, but it is not properly understood how it works. One theory is that people with a good sense of direction have simply worked harder at developing it. Research being carried out at Liverpool University supports this idea and suggests that if we don’t use it, we lose it.

“Children as young as seven have the ability to find their way around,” says Jim Martland, Research Director of the project. “However, if they are not allowed out alone or are taken everywhere by car, they never develop the skills.”

Jim Martland also emphasizes (强调) that young people should be taught certain skills to improve their sense of direction. He makes the following suggestions:

◆ If you are using a map, turn it so it relates to the way you are facing.

◆ If you leave your bike in a strange place, put it near something like a big stone or a tree. Note landmarks on the route as you go away from your bike. When you return, go back along the same route.

◆ Simplify the way of finding your direction by using lines such as streets in a town, streams, or walls in the countryside to guide you. Count your steps so that you know how far you have gone and note any landmarks such as tower blocks or hills which can help to find out where you are.

Now you need never get lost again!

1. Scientists believe that                           .

A. people never lose their sense of direction

B. some babies are born with a sense of direction

C. people learn a sense of direction as they grow older

D. everybody owned a sense of direction from birth

2. What is TRUE of seven-year-old children according to the passage?

A. They never have a sense of direction without maps.

B. They have a sense of direction and can find their way around.

C. They should never be allowed out alone if they lack a sense of direction.

D. They can develop a good sense of direction if they are driven around in a car.

3.If you leave your bike in a strange place, you should                             .

A. tie it to a tree so as to stop it from being stolen

B. remember something easily known on the route

C. draw a map of the route to help remember where it is

D. stay away from taking the same route when you come back to it

4.According to the passage, the best way to find your way around is to                .

A. ask policemen for directions

B. count the number of landmarks that you see

C. use walls, streams, and streets to guide yourself

D. remember your route by looking out for steps and stairs

5. Where can you probably read this passage?

A. In the newspaper. B. In an ad.        

C. In a storybook.    D. In a novel (小说).

Answer

1.D

2.B

3.B

4.C

5.A

【解析】

试题分析：这篇短文重点讲述了人们与生俱来的方向感的问题，并就如何提高自己辨别方向的能力提出了几点建议。

1.

2.细节理解题。根据文中原句“Children as young as seven have the ability to find their way around,” says Jim Martland （Jim Martland说七岁大的孩子就具有找到他们周围路的能力）可知答案B的描述是正确的。

3.细节理解题。根据文中原句If you leave your bike in a strange place, put it near something like a big stone or a tree. Note landmarks on the route as you go away from your bike. When you return, go back along the same route.（如果你把自行车放在一个陌生的地方，把它放在一个像树或大石头的东西附近，记住你离开自行车时路上的标志物，当你回来时沿着同一路线返回）可知此题答案是B。

4.细节理解题。根据文中原句Simplify the way of finding your direction by using lines such as streets in a town, streams, or walls in the countryside to guide you.（能够简单的找到你的方向的方法是通过用像城镇中的街道、河流、乡村的墙等线条式的东西来指引你）可知此题答案是C。

5.推理判断题。这篇短文重点讲述了人们与生俱来的方向感的问题，并就如何提高自己辨别方向的能力提出了几点建议。根据选项最有可能是在报纸上读到这种文章，故选A。

考点：日常生活类短文阅读