2020专四阅读练习：Women's minds work differently from men's. At least,

2020专四阅读练习：Women's minds work differently from men's. At least,

　　Women's minds work differently from men's. At least, that is what most men are convinced of. Psychologists view the subject either as a matter or frustration or a joke. Now the biologists have moved into this minefield, and some of them have found that there are real differences between the brains of men and women. But being different, they point out hurriedly, is not the same as being better or worse.

　　There is, however, a definite structural variation between the male and female brain. The difference is in a part of the brain that is used in the most complex intellectual processes-the link between the two halves of the brain.

　　The two halves are linked by a trunkline of between 200 and 300 million nerves, the corpus callosum. Scientists have found quite recently that the corpus callosum in women is always larger and probably richer in nerve fibres than it is in men. This is the first time that a structural difference has been found between the brains of women and men and it must have some significance. The question is "What?", and, if this difference exists, are there others? Research shows that present-day women think differently and behave differently from men. Are some of these differences biological and inborn, a result of evolution? We tend to think that is the influence of society that produces these differences. But could we be wrong?

　　Research showed that these two halves of the brain had different functions, and that the corpus callosum enabled them to work together. For most people, the left half is used for word handing, analytical and logical activities; the right half works on pictures, patterns and forms. We need both halves working together. And the better the connections, the more harmoniously the two halves work. And, according to research findings, women have the better connections.

　　But it isn't all that easy to explain the actual differences between skills of men and women on this basis. In schools throughout the world girls tend to be better than boys at "language subjects" and boys better at maths and physics. If 〖WTHZ〗these differences correspond with the differences in the hemispheric trunkline, here is an unalterable distinction between the sexes.

　　We shan't know for a while, partly because we don't know of any precise relationship between abilities in school subject and the functioning of the two halves of the brain, and we cannot understand how the two halves interact via the corpus callosum. But this striking difference must have some effect and, because the difference is in the parts of the brain involved in intellect, we should be looking for differences in intellectual processing.

　　71. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?

　　A. Biologists are conducting research where psychologists have given up.

　　B. Brain differences point to superiority of one sex over the other.

　　C. Results of scientific research fail to support popular belief.

　　D. The structural difference in the brain between the sexes has long been known.

　　72. According to the passage it is commonly believed that brain differences are caused by ________ factors.

　　A. biological

　　B. psychological

　　C. physical

　　D. social

　　73. "these differences" n paragraph 5 refer to those in ________.

　　A. skills of men and women

　　B. school subject

　　C. the brain structure of men and women

　　D. activities carried out by the brain

　　74. At the end of the passage the author proposes more work on ________.

　　A. the brain structure as a whole

　　B. the functioning of part of the brain

　　C. the distinction between the sexes

　　D. the effects of the corpus callosum

　　75. What is the main purpose of the passage ________.

　　A. To outline the research findings on the brain structure.

　　B. To explain the link between sex and brain structure.

　　C. To discuss the various factors that cause brain differences.

　　D. To suggest new areas in brain research.

答案解析：

　　短文大意：这篇有关大脑结构的文章,介绍男性、女性大脑结构及工作方式的不同，以及科学家的研究成果。

　　71. 答案：C

　　参考译文：下列哪一项是正确的?

　　【试题分析】本题为细节题。

　　【详细解答】选项A即心理学家已经放弃，而生物学家正在展开研究工作。而文中第三句话说“Psychologists view the subject either as a matter of frustration or a joke.”即心理学家认为这个研究不是一件沮丧的事，就是一个笑话。此句和选项A含义不一样;选项B即大脑区别显示出一个性别优于另外一个性别。而文中第一段最后一句话说“But being different, they point out hurriedly, is not the same as being better or worse.”即他们指出尽管有区别，但并不能说明谁优谁劣，此句和选项B含义不一样;选项D两性大脑结构的区别早已为人所知。而文中第三段第三句话说“This is the first time that a structural difference has been found between the brains of women and men...”即这是第一次人们发现了两性大脑结构的不同。此句和选项D含义不一样。由此可知，选项C为正确答案。此题采取排除法。

　　72. 答案：D

　　参考译文：根据这篇文章，普遍认为大脑的区别由什么因素引起的?

　　【试题分析】本题为细节题。

　　【详细解答】短文第三段倒数第二句话说“We tend to think that is the influence of society that produces these differences.”即我们认为社会的影响造成了这些区别。故选项D为正确答案。

　　73. 答案：A

　　参考译文：第五段“这些区别”指的是什么?

　　【试题分析】本题为细节题。

　　【详细解答】短文第五段主题句说“But it isn’t all that easy to explain the actual differences between skills of men and women on this basis.”即在此基础上解释两性技能的区别并不是很容易的事。由此可见，“这些区别”指的是两性技能。

　　74. 答案：D

　　参考译文：文章的结尾，作者提议在哪些方面进行更多的研究工作?

　　【试题分析】本题为细节题。

　　【详细解答】文章的结尾，作者说我们不知道学校学生的能力和大脑两半球功能之间的确切关系。我们不懂大脑两半球是如何通过corpus callosum相互作用的。间接地提出对于corpus callosum的影响，多作研究工作

　　75. 答案：A

　　参考译文：文章的主要目的是什么?

　　【试题分析】本题为主旨题。

　　【详细解答】短文介绍科学家在有关大脑结构方面的研究成果。故选项A为正确答案。

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