Question

    Whenever we watch a horror movie and something scary happens, we might close our eyes and scream. However, chances are that we'll continue to watch and enjoy the movie anyway. So why can fear be so much fun?

According to a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh in the US, watching horror movies can raise our mood, unite people and boost our confidence.

In the study, 262 adults were asked to enter a haunted house(鬼屋)attraction. In the haunted house for 35 minutes, they saw a series of tense scenes and were asked to record their feelings both before and after the experience. At the same time, the researchers also monitored their brain waves.

According to the researchers, the participants were more likely to be happier and less anxious and tired after they left the attraction. That's because in this intense condition their brains released more dopamine(多巴胺), a chemical which “produce a strong feeling of excitement and happiness lasting after the threat has passed,”reported Business Insider.

What's more taking advantage of this sensation may bring people together. People in scary situations are more likely to be uncertain and depend on others for support. “We’re social and emotional beings- we need each other in times of stress,so we feel close to those we are with when afraid makes sense.” Said Margee Kerr,one of the study’s authors.

In addition, it could be a good way to boost our confidence. “Being scared in a safe place is a source of enjoyment and makes us feel good physically and can even serve as a confidence boost by reminding us that we can make it through a scary situation,we are strong, Kerr told The Independent.

1.In the study, the participants did not_________.

A.stay in a haunted house for about half an hour

B.record their own feelings after the experience

C.monitor their own brain waves

D.see a series of tense scenes together

2.The participants probably feel_________after they left the attraction.

A.more scared B.more anxious and tired

C.less confider D.happier and more excited

3.The underlined word “boost” probably mean_________.

A.lower B.reduce C.increase D.decrease

4.The purpose of the study is to find out_________.

A.why people enjoy watching horror films

B.different ways to raise mood and unite people

C.how people feel when they are in a scary situation

D.what is the source of enjoyment

Answer

1.C

2.D

3.C

4.A

【解析】

这是一篇科技文章，为什么人们喜欢看恐怖片，根据科学研究看恐怖电影可以提高我们的情绪，团结人们，增强我们的信心。

1.推理判断。根据文中“In the study, 262 adults were asked to enter a haunted house(鬼屋)attraction. In the haunted house for 35 minutes, they saw a series of tense scenes and were asked to record their feelings both before and after the experience.” 在这项研究中，262名成年人被要求进入一个鬼屋景点。在鬼屋里呆了35分钟，他们看到了一系列紧张的场面，被要求记录下他们经历前后的感受。根据文中“At the same time, the researchers also monitored their brain waves.” 同时，研究人员还监测了他们的脑电波。可知，在这项研究中，参与者没有监测自己的脑电波。故选C。

2.细节理解。more scared更害怕的； more anxious and tired更加焦虑和疲惫；less confider不太自信；happier and more excited更快乐更兴奋。根据文中“According to the researchers, the participants were more likely to be happier and less anxious and tired after they left the attraction.” 根据研究人员的说法，当参与者离开景点后，他们更有可能更快乐，更少焦虑和疲劳。可知他们会感到更快乐和更激动。故选D

3.词句猜测。lower降低；reduce减少； increase增加； decrease减少。根据下文“Being scared in a safe place is a source of enjoyment and makes us feel good physically and can even serve as a confidence boost by reminding us that we can make it through a scary situation,we are strong” 在一个安全的地方被吓到是一种享受，让我们感觉身体很好，甚至可以通过提醒我们可以度过一个可怕的情况来增强信心，我们很强大。可知上文中“boost”的意思是增加，这里是增加我们自信的方式。故选C。

4.主旨大意。why people enjoy watching horror films为什么人们喜欢看恐怖电影；different ways to raise mood and unite people不同的方法来提高情绪和团结人们；how people feel when they are in a scary situation当人们处于可怕的处境时的感受；what is the source of enjoyment享受的源泉是什么。通读整篇短文可知，这个研究的目的是为什么人们喜欢看恐怖电影。故选A。