Ever wondered whether punishment actually makes people cooperate (合作)? A team of scientists created an experiment to figure it out and the results were pretty unexpected.
To understand what they found, you have to know why these scientists were studying punishment. They were trying to figure out why people cooperate when it’s often so easy to profit at others expense. Why don’t friends steal from each other? Why do parents bother to feed their children? If the answer to these questions is obvious to you, congratulations, you are ahead of scientists. They’re still trying to figure it out.
In this experiment, researchers had 225 Chinese students play a game, where if the students cooperated, they’d all get a number of points. But if one defected (变节) and everyone else cooperated, the defector would get a lot of points, and the cooperators would lose out. This game represents a lot of real life situations where you struggle with a decision: work together and do OK, or run off with the rewards, ruining everybody else’s day.
This is actually a pretty ordinary economic experiment. But the researchers added two changes to see if they could mimic(糢拟〉the real world better. Change one: some students played many rounds together, so they’d learn who they could trust. Change two: people could punish each other, sacrificing a point or two to destroy another player’s score.
In the end, the researchers found that playing multiple rounds made people cooperate more, which definitely mimics human society. But the whole punishment thing led to a surprise: punishing didn’t actually make people cooperate more. In fact, it made them cooperate less.
So the scientists still don’t know why people cooperate, though it looks like it has more to do with groups sticking together than it does with punishment.
1.What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A. Why friends don’t steal from each other.
B. Why researchers are studying punishment.
C. Why people always profit at others’ expense.
D. Why people cooperate rather than take advantage of others.
2.What happened to a defector in the experiment?
A. He lost out. B. He benefited more.
C. He got punished. D. He became the leader.
3.What conclusion is drawn from the experiment?
A. Punishing helps people realize their mistakes.
B. Cooperating is a win-win policy to all.
C. Punishment won’t work as expected.
D. People who choose to cooperate are selfless.
4.What might be the best title for the text?
A. Does punishing people actually work?
B. Why is punishment applied to cooperation?
C. How can punishment contribute to cooperation?
D. What is the best way to make punishment effective?
Japan has long been known for both its strong traditions and being on the cutting edge of technology, and this new inn combining the classic Japanese surroundings with high-tech slippers and furniture is a perfect reflection of this.
Nissan Motor Co. developed a system in which slippers park themselves at the entrance of the traditional inn, called “ProPilot Park Ryokan,” waiting for guests to use them upon arrival. When guests have finished using them, the slippers will drive themselves back to their original position. Each slipper features two tiny wheels, a motor, and sensors to drive it across the wooden floor.
The same technology features in Nissan’s all-battery electric Leaf car. High-tech sensors and cameras allow the vehicle to safely back into parking spaces without any input from the driver. Four cameras and 12 sensors assess the vehicle’s surroundings. ProPilot Park handles the accelerator, braking and steering (转向) input when the car is parking. Drivers operate the system with the press of a button, which they must hold down the entire time. Lifting a finger off the button will result in the car stopping immediately.
The inn, located in the resort town of Hakone, about 75 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, is currently most famous for its view of Mount Fuji. However, the new self-driving slippers, released by Nissan in March, is the unique feature of the high-tech inn.
“The self-parking slippers are meant to raise awareness of automated driving technologies, and their potential, non-driving applications,” Nissan spokesman Nick Maxfield said in a statement.
In addition to the slippers, office chairs, floor cushions and traditional low tables in the inn also wheel themselves back into place after use.
1.What is the typical feature of the slippers?
A. They are eco-friendly. B. They are automatic.
C. They are recyclable. D. They are rechargeable.
2.How can a driver stop the Nissan’s electric Leaf car?
A. By pressing a button. B. By using the brake of the car.
C. By removing the finger from the button. D. By handling the accelerator.
3.Why did Nissan develop the slippers according to Nick Maxfield?
A. To attract more customers.
B. To advertise the Nissan Motor Co.
C. To lessen work load of the workers.
D. To promote non-driving technologies.
4.What can we know about the inn mentioned in the text?
A. It uses robots to serve the guests.
B. It is famous for its good service.
C. It is a combination of tradition and modem.
D. It is known for its beautiful decoration.
Winter sports tend to be more dangerous than summer sports — they take place mostly outside at the mercy of ice or snow, involving (牵涉) metal edges, extreme speeds and crashes. Skeleton (俯视冰梭), however, stands apart as one of the most difficult and least accessible of all the winter sports. Adam Edelman, Israel’s first Olympic skeleton athlete, would like to change that.
Edelman was the 10th athlete named to the 2018 Israeli Olympic Team. Qualifying for the Olympics in any sport is impressive. But it’s more impressive if you qualify for the Olympics after only four years in the sport — and without a coach.
Edelman was first introduced to skeleton watching the game on television in late 2013. Sports have always been a part of his life. He grew up playing football and was a goalkeeper on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology football team. Ready for a new challenge, he set his sights on the Olympics.
Without a coach, Edelman learned to drive by watching endless hours of YouTube videos and taking more runs than anybody else on the track. “When everybody else would take three runs per day, I would take six to eight.” he recalled.
Succeeding in skeleton takes a large amount of athletic ability and technical skill, but there’s one more element (因素) required, one that can’t be taught. “These tracks but built in the middle of nowhere, and it’s gray and cold. You haven’t seen your family in seven months and you really just want to give up. To continue, it takes tenacity.” Edelman said.
Edelman is already looking beyond Pyeongchang. The 2022 Olympics could be in his future, but whether he continues to compete or not, he promises to stay in Israeli sports as long as possible-as instructor or as a coach.
1.What might impress people most?
A. Edelman’s gift in winter sports.
B. The challenges Edelman has met.
C. Edelman entering for the Olympics.
D. Edelman’s successful story as a skeleton athlete.
2.Which word can be used to describe Edelman?
A. Modest. B. Generous.
C. Ambitious. D. Reliable.
3.What does the underlined word “tenacity” in Paragraph 5 probably mean?
A. Will power. B. Extra strength.
C. Good luck. D. Financial support.
4.What might be Edelman’s plan for the future?
A. Setting up a team of his own.
B. Passing on his skills and experience.
C. Calling on more people to take up sports.
D. Ending his sports life after the Olympic Games.
Hear the Wind Blow by Mary Downing Hahn
On a cold, snowy night, 13-year-old Haswell Magruder makes an important decision. A wounded Confederate soldier appears at the family’s farm, and Haswell convinces his mother to take the man in. Unfortunately, this sets off a horrific chain of events that leaves their house burned to the ground and their farm in ruins. With no home left, Haswell sets out in search of his older brother, a Confederate soldier.
Ghosts of Greenglass House by Kate Milford
Thirteen-year-old Milo is, once again, spending the winter holidays stuck in a house full of guests who are not what they seem. There are fresh clues to uncover as friends old and new join in his search for a mysterious map. The exciting ending to the beloved book is sure to thrill both fans and newcomers.
Marge in Charge by Isla Fisher
Jemima and Jake Button don’t know what to make of their new babysitter, Marge. When she first arrives, she’s dressed like a grandma and looks very serious. But as soon as Mommy and Dad are gone, Marge lets down her hair and the adventures begin. Jemima and Jake aren’t supposed to shoot apple juice out of water guns, or throw impromptu (即兴的) concerts during music class—but with Marge here, everything’s gone messy!
Max Tilt: Fire the Depths by Peter Lerangis
When 13 year old Max Tilt finds his great-great-grandfather Jules Verne’s unfinished, unpublished manuscript (手稿), The Lost Treasures, he doesn’t realize that he’s found the answers to all his problems. He realizes that the book holds the key to something incredibly valuable. A treasure that can save his house — and maybe his entire family.
1.Why did a Confederate soldier enter the family’s farm?
A. He was injured.
B. He wanted to search for a mysterious map.
C. He desired to destroy the farm.
D. He was familiar with Haswell’s brother.
2.What might happen after Mom and Dad leave?
A. Marge becomes more cruel.
B. Marge dresses herself like a grandma.
C. Jemima and Jake will make apple juice.
D. Jemima and Jake start doing something crazy.
3.What can be learned from the last paragraph?
A. Max Tilt is fond of reading fictions.
B. Max Tilt’s family has been wealthy.
C. The unfinished book matters a lot to Max’s family.
D. Max Tilt has been hunting for some lost treasures.
One Sunday morning in August I went to local music festival. I left it early because I had an appointment 1.(late) that day. My friends walked me to the bus stop and waited with me 2. the bus arrived. I got on the bus and found a seat near the back, and then I noticed a man 3.(sit) at the front. He 4.(pretend) that a tiger toy was real and giving it a voice. He must be 5.(mental) disabled.
Behind him were other people to 6. he was trying to talk, but after some minutes 7. walked away and sat near me, looking annoyed.
I didn’t want to be laughed at for talking to him but I didn’t like leaving him 8. his own either.
After a while I rose from my seat and walked to the front of the bus. I sat next to the man and introduced myself. We had 9. amazing conversation. He got off the bus before me and I felt very happy the rest of the way home.
I’m glad I made a choice. It made 10. of us feel good.
The Internet is an amazing information resource. Students, teachers, and researchers use it as 1.investigative tool. Journalists use it 2.(find) information for stories. Doctors use it to learn more about unfamiliar diseases and the 3.(late) medical development. Ordinary people use it for shopping, banking, bill-paying, and communicating with family and friends 4.(live) far away or in different parts of a city. People all over the world use it to connect with individuals from 5.(differ) countries and cultures. 6., although there are many positive developments 7.(associate) with the Internet, there are also certain fears and concerns. One concern relates to a lack of control over 8. appears on the Internet. With television and radio there are editors to check the accuracy or appropriateness of the content of programs, and with television there are restrictions on what kinds of programs can 9.(broadcast) and at what times of the day. With the Internet, parents can not check a published guide to determine what is suitable 10. their children to see.
