Question

    Birth order—does it matter? Are you different because you are the first, second, or third child in your family—or maybe the last of nine?

A study found that first-borns have an average IQ that is three points higher than people who fall into a different place in the birth order, perhaps because first-borns often help younger brothers and sisters, which improves their own skills. In 2007, an international organization of CEOs found that 43% of CEOs are first-borns, 33% are middle children, and 23% are last-borns. First-borns are more likely to be doctors and astronauts and get higher pay.

If first-borns are more successful, last-borns are generally more agreeable. They are also more likely to be funny, possibly to get attention from all the bigger people at the dinner table. Mark Twain and Stephen Colbert were both the youngest in large families, and Jim Carrey was the youngest of four. According to a 2007 Time magazine article, “The power of Birth Order.” last-borns are more likely to be artists and successful businessmen.

Then there are the middle children: we have not ignored (忽视) them! Many middle children are short of one-on-one time with their parents. They often feel short-changed: the oldest gets more rights, and the youngest is spoiled (宠坏的). Though they may be ignored, middle children are more likely to grow into easy-going adults.

Many factors make us who we are, but if the research is correct, birth order may be one of the most important factors.

1.Who is most likely to be a CEO?

A.A first-born. B.A second-born. C.A third-born. D.A last-born.

2.What can we learn about Jim Carrey?

A.He is a middle child. B.He is likely to be serious.

C.He is a successful businessman. D.He is likely to be agreeable.

3.What does the underlined sentence mean?

A.They are usually controlled. B.They are always spoiled.

C.They are often popular at home. D.They are often treated unfairly.

4.What can we learn from the 4^th paragraph?

A.Middle children often get more attention from parents.

B.Middle children usually communicate with others well.

C.Middle children are more likely to get on well with others.

D.Middle children are usually famous artists and businessmen.

5.What would be the best title for the text?

A.What makes you powerful B.How you can be a CEO

C.What influence birth order has on you D.How you can grow up

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.D

4.C

5.C

【解析】

本文讲述了出生顺序对人的影响。一项研究发现，长子长女的平均智商比出生顺序不同的人高出3个百分点。最大的孩子得到更多的权利，最年轻的孩子会被宠坏。尽管中间的孩子可能会被忽视，但他们更有可能成长为随和的成年人。许多因素造就了人们，但如果研究是正确的，出生顺序可能是最重要的因素之一。

1.细节理解题。根据“In 2007, an international organization of CEOs found that 43% of CEOs are first-borns, 33% are middle children, and 23% are last-borns. First-borns are more likely to be doctors and astronauts and get higher pay.”可知第一个出生的孩子最有可能成为首席执行官，故选A。

2.推理判断题。根据“If first-borns are more successful, last-borns are generally more agreeable.”及“Mark Twain and Stephen Colbert were both the youngest in large families, and Jim Carrey was the youngest of four”可知他可能是和蔼可亲的，故选D。

3.词义猜测题。A. They are usually controlled.它们通常是受控的；B. They are always spoiled.他们总是被宠坏；C. They are often popular at home.他们经常在家里受欢迎；D. They are often treated unfairly.他们经常受到不公平的待遇；根据“ the oldest gets more rights, and the youngest is spoiled (宠坏的). Though they may be ignored, middle children are more likely to grow into easy-going adults.”可知此处是中间出生的孩子可能会受到不公平待遇，故选D。

4.推理判断题。A. Middle children often get more attention from parents.排行中间的孩子通常会得到父母更多的关注；B. Middle children usually communicate with others well.排行中间的孩子通常与他人沟通良好；C. Middle children are more likely to get on well with others.中间的孩子更容易与他人相处融洽；D. Middle children are usually famous artists and businessmen.中间的孩子通常是著名的艺术家和商人；根据“Then there are the middle children: we have not ignored (忽视) them! Many middle children are short of one-on-one time with their parents. They often feel short-changed: the oldest gets more rights, and the youngest is spoiled. Though they may be ignored, middle children are more likely to grow into easy-going adults.”可知排行中间的孩子会被忽视，但是更容易与他人相处融洽；还知道不是中间出生的人可以更成功，故选C。

5.最佳标题。根据“Birth order—does it matter? Are you different because you are the first, second, or third child in your family—or maybe the last of nine?”可知本文主要说“出生顺序对你有什么影响”，故选C。