Question

You either have it, or you don’t－a sense of direction. But why is it that some people could find their way across the Sahara without a map while others can lose themselves in the next street?

Scientists say we’re all born with a sense of direction, but it is not properly understood how it works. One theory is that people with a good sense of direction have simply worked harder at developing it. Research being carried out at Liverpool University supports this idea and suggests that if we don’t use it, we lose it.

“Children as young as seven have the ability to find their way around,” says Jim Martland, research director of the project. “However, if they are not allowed out alone or are taken everywhere by car, they never develop the skills.”

Jim Martland also emphasizes that young people should be taught certain skills to improve their sense of direction. He makes the following suggestions:

If you are using a map, turn it so that it relates to(與……有聯系) the way you are facing.

If you leave your bike in a strange place, put it near something like a big stone or a tree－something easy to recognize. Note landmarks on the route as you go away from your bike. When you return, go back along the same route.

Simplify(簡化) the way for finding your direction by using lines such as streets in a town, streams, or wells in the countryside to guide you. Count your steps so that you know how far you have gone and note any landmarks such as towerblocks or hills which can help to find out where you are.

Now you will never get lost again!

1.Children have the ability to find the way around when they are ______ years old.

A．5                B．6                C．7                D．8

2.Which of the following things cannot be used as landmarks?

A．Tower blocks.      B．Hills.             C．Wells.            D．Bikes.

3.What does the underlined word “emphasize” mean in the passage?

A．To give special importance to something.

B．To express thanks for somebody.

C．To understand or become aware of a fact.

D．To admire somebody.

4.Scientists believe that __________.

A．some babies are born with a sense of direction

B．people learn a sense of direction as they grow older

C．people never lose their sense of direction

D．everybody has a sense of direction from birth

5.What may be the best title of the passage?

A．A research on direction.

B．A sense of direction.

C．People’s ability of finding the way.

D．Scientists’ research on skills.

 

Answer 1

【答案】

1.C

2.D

3.A

4.D

5.B

【解析】

試題分析：這篇短文重點講述了人們與生俱來的方向感的問題，作并就如何提高自己辨別方向的能力提出了幾點建議。

1.根據第三段“Children as young as seven have the ability to find their way around,” says Jim Martland, research director of the project.描述，可知選C。

2.根據短文第最后一段Simplify(簡化) the way for finding your direction by using lines such as streets in a town, streams, or wells in the countryside to guide you.描述，結合常識，能夠移動的物品不適宜作為地標，故選D。

3.聯系本段下文描述，可知這個單詞是強調的含義，故選A。

4.根據第二段Scientists say we’re all born with a sense of direction, but it is not properly understood how it works.描述，可知選D。

5.這篇短文重點講述了人們與生俱來的方向感的問題，故選B。

考點：關于方向感的說明文閱讀

點評：本文淺顯易懂，層次分明，學生很容易把握文章中心內容。答題中注意帶著問題閱讀短文，一般就能順利找出答題依據。對于不能直接找到根據的問題注意聯系上下文，根據短文中心總結出正確答案。