Question

If you want to convince the boss you deserve a pay rise or promotion, the solution could be simple—eat the same food as they do. Psychologists have discovered managers are much more likely to instantly trust us if we choose the same dishes as them.

During experiments, discussions over wages and work conditions were much more successful if both sides chose to snack on the same treats. And shoppers were much more likely to buy a product advertised on TV by someone eating a similar food to them at the time.

The reason is thought to be so-called similarity attraction theory – w here people tend to like others who have similar tastes or habits to themselves. But this is believed to be one of the first studies highlighting the role of food in this relationship. Researchers at Chicago University in the US conducted a series of experiments to examine food’s role in earning trust.

In a test, participants were told to watch TV – where someone pretending to be a member of the public praised a certain product. The volunteers were given Kit Kat bars to nibble, while the TV people ate either a Kit Kat or grapes as they talked.

The results showed viewers were much more likely to express an interest in buying the product if the TV showed the other person eating a Kit Kat too.

The researchers added, “Although similarity in food consumption is not a sign of whether two people will get along, we find consumers treat this as such. They feel more trusting of those who consume as they do. It means people can immediately begin to feel friendship and develop a bond, leading to smoother transactions from the start.’

Harley Street psychologist Dr Lucy Atcheson said it was already known that wearing similar clothes could instantly create trust. But this was the first report that food had the same effect. She said, “This is really interesting. It makes sense as people feel they have common ground and can trust the other person. That means negotiations are more likely to be successful.

1.According to the passage, customers are likely to buy a product from a dealer who______.

A. has the same taste as them

B. advertises his products on TV

C. reduces the price of his products

D. pays attention to the quality of his products

2.The experiments conducted by researchers at Chicago University show that ______.

A. people who have similar tastes to their boss’s earn more

B. bosses like employees that have the same taste as them

C. food plays an important role in earning people’s trust

D. people have less interest in buying products advertised on TV

3.What can be inferred from the passage?

A. People will get along with each other if they like to eat similar things.

B. People who eat similar food are more likely to trust each other.

C. The effect of wearing similar clothes hasn’t been proved by researchers.

D. People are more likely to make friends with those wearing the same clothes as them.

4.Which of the following sayings can be an example of the similarity attraction theory?

A. Honesty is the best policy.

B. All good things come to an end.

C. Where there is a will, there is a way.

D. Birds of a feather flock together.

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.B

4.D

【解析】本文是一篇记叙文。由怎样可以获得老板的信任，很快升职或加薪开始叙述，引出本文的观点。吃和某人一样的食物或者购买相同的产品更容易获得别人的好感，并且可以很快与之建立关系。

1.细节理解题。根据“And shoppers were much more likely to buy a product advertised on TV by someone eating a similar food to them at the time.”可知，顾客很有可能会从和他们有着相同品味的人那里买东西。故选A。

2.细节理解题。 根据“The results showed viewers were much more likely to express an interest in buying the product if the TV showed the other person eating a Kit Kat too.”如果电视上正在播放别人吃某种食物的画面，那么观看者将会对这种食物产生很大的兴趣。故选C。

3.推理判断题。根据“Although similarity in food consumption is not a sign of whether two people will get along, we find consumers treat this as such. They feel more trusting of those who consume as they do” 以及“It makes sense as people feel they have common ground and can trust the other person. That means negotiations are more likely to be successful”，可知，吃相同食物的人更有可能得到彼此的信任。故选B。

4.推理判断题。 A. Honesty is the best policy诚实为上策；B. All good things come to an end天下没有不散的筵席；C. Where there is a will, there is a way有志者事竟成；D. Birds of a feather flock together物以类聚。根据“The reason is thought to be so-called similarity attraction theory – w here people tend to like others who have similar tastes or habits to themselves”相似性吸引理论，本文论述了在食物方面品味接近的人容易产生信任，这与D项的“物以类聚”是一个道理，故选D。