We hear with our ears, right? Yes, but scientists have known for years that we also hear with our eyes. In a study published in 1976, researchers found that people combined both auditory cues(听力提示) and visual ones，like mouth and face movements, when they heard speech.
A new study that looks at a different set of sensory cues adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests such combination is natural. In a paper, Bryan Gick and Donald Derrick report that people can hear with their skin.
The researchers had volunteers listen to spoken syllables. Meanwhile, they connected the volunteers to a device that would blow a tiny puff (气流) of air onto the skin of their hands or necks. The syllables included “ba” and “pa”, which produce brief puffs from the mouth when spoken, and “da” and “ta,” which do not produce puffs. They found that when listeners heard “da” or “ta” while a puff of air was blown onto their skin, they considered the sounds as “ba” or “pa”.
Dr. Gick said the findings were similar to those from the 1976 study, in which visual cues defeated auditory ones — volunteers listened to one syllable but thought it another because they were watching a video of mouth movements corresponding to the second syllable. In his study，he said，cues from sensory receivers on the skin defeated the ears as well. “Our skin is doing the hearing for us,” he said.
Dr. Gick noted that it would normally be rare that someone actually sensed a puff of air produced by another, although people might occasionally sense their own puffs. “What’s so persuasive about this particular effect,” he added. “is that people are picking up on this information that they don’t know they are using.” That supports the idea that combining different sensory cues is natural.
Dr. Gick said the finding also suggested that other sensory cues might be at work in speech perception(知觉) — that, as he put it, “we are these fantastic perception machines that take in all the information available to us and combine it faultlessly.”
1.“Da” or “ta” were considered as “ba” or “pa” when __________.
A. they were spoken quickly
B. puffs of air were blown onto the listener’s skin
C. they were pronounced using a special device
D. they were made with face movements
2.Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A. Humans combine different sensory cues through experience.
B. Dr. Gick’s new study is more important than the one in 1976.
C. People sometimes can sense their own puffs when speaking
D. Only auditory and visual cues are at work in speech perception.
3.What is the best title of the text?
A. We Can Hear with Our Skin
B. Our Visual Cues Is Doing the Hearing for Us
C. Facial Expressions Are Important
D. We Are Fantastic Machines
One of the most wonderful things about having a positive attitude is that it can touch many people in the course of everyday life.
Recently I stopped by a store to get a newspaper and a bottle of juice. The young woman at the check-out counter said, “That’ll be three dollars in all please.” And as I reached into my wallet，the thought occurred to me that a newspaper and a bottle of juice didn’t quite make it to three dollars.
When I looked up to get a “re-quote”(重说一遍), she had a big smile on her face and said，“I got to get my tip in there somehow!” I laughed when I knew what she meant. She then glanced down at the paper I was buying and said, “I’m sick and tired of all the negative material on the front pages. I want to read some good news for a change.” She then said, “In fact, I think someone should publish a Good News newspaper —a paper with wonderful, inspirational stories about people overcoming difficulties and doing good things for others. I’d buy one every day!” She then thanked me for coming in and said, “Maybe we’ll get lucky tomorrow; maybe we’ll get some good news!” We both laughed，and I thought: she just made my day.
The following day after work I dropped by the same store again to pick up bottled water and a newspaper, but a different young lady was behind the counter. As I checked out I said, “Good afternoon”, and handed her my money. She said nothing，and didn’t smile or make a gesture. She just handed me my change and said in a bored voice, “Next!”
It hit me right between the eyes. Two people, the same age; one had made me feel great, while the other had made me feel that I had inconvenienced her by showing up.
The choices we make and attitudes we show influence lives every day in positive or negative ways…our peers, our friends，and even strangers we’ve never met before and will never meet again. So every morning you should ask yourself：“Who do I want to be today—‘The Grouch’(好抱怨的人) or ‘The Good News Girl?” Your answer will go a long way toward determining the quality of your life and that of those around you.
1. From the first salesgirl’s words we know that __________.
A. she was sick and tired of people with bad manners
B. she didn’t like the bad news in the newspaper
C. she liked reading all kinds of stories
D. she thought it was boring to sell newspapers
2. After the author bought the newspaper the first day，he _________.
A. had a sad day
B. kept thinking about what the girl had said
C. read the newspaper carefully
D. was in a pleasant mood all day
3.The other salesgirl’s attitude towards the author the next day was __________.
A. humorous B. enthusiastic C. cold D. positive
4.The author learned from his experience that __________.
A. a Good News newspaper would be very popular
B. a positive attitude creates warmth and happiness
C. good relationships matter a lot
D. he needed to change the quality of his life
请认真阅读下面短文，从短文后各题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中，选出最佳选项，并在答题卡上将该项涂黑。
The nine-year-old boy was attracted by the sight of my father practicing martial arts the moment he walked into the gym. As my father threw speedy punches(出拳) into the 36 bag－yet was hardly able to move it－the boy walked slowly toward him.
My father, 37 of the boy’s stare, jammed a couple of sharp sidekicks into the bag to end his 38 . He picked up his towel, sat down on a nearby bench, and began 39 his face and hands.
“Hey, mister,” said the boy. My father 40 at the boy, bringing the towel down off his face and putting it around to the back of his neck. “Do you know karate or 41?” the boy asked.
“Actually, I know Tae Kwon Do,” my father answered.
“Cool. What 42 are you?”
“Black belt,” my father said. “You like martial arts?”
“Yeah, and I want to know if you can show me a 43!”said the kid. “Can you show me how to 44 someone?”
My father 45 for a moment before he said, “Come here.” and 46 with his hand for the boy to come 47. His expression was serious.
The kid took a couple of steps closer to my father. Looking slightly 48 .As the boy moved closer, my father quickly 49 his hand straight out, 50 stopped within an inch of the boy’s chest.
The boy, shocked, jumped back in clumsy 51, almost falling over himself. My father smiled, with his hand still outstretched in the boy’s direction. “Give me your 52,” my father said.
The boy inched forward again, 53. My father took his hand and began to shake it 54, as if the two of them had been old friends 55 each other.
“You know, kid,” my father said, “you’ll solve more problems with this move than with any other.
1.A.false B.heavy C.plastic D.soft
2.A.unaware B.tired C.aware D.ashamed
3.A.performance B.competition C.strength D.practice
4.A.washing B.observing C.wiping D.covering
5.A..came over B.lookde down C.jumped over D.looked up
6.A.anything B.everything C.something D.nothing
7.A.grade B.belt C.color D.brand
8.A.position B.behavior C.move D.scene
9.A.attack B.protect C.hate D.control
10.A.laughed B.complained C.explained D.thought
11.A.gestured B.communicated C.proved D.directed
12.A.opposite B.straight C.closer D.farther
13.A.disappointed B.nervous C.excited D.embarrassed
14.A.hit B.held C.pushed D.fought
15.A.and B.so C.as D.but
16.A.action B.defence C.threat D.condition
17.A.address B.head C.finger D.hand
18.A.doubtful B.curious C.upset D.delighted
19.A.peacefully B.privately C.violently D.warmly
20.A.arguing B.challenging C.greeting D.missing
---I must be off now, or it will be too late to see Tom.
---_______? Do you really want to see that dull boy?
A. For him B. Why so C. For what D. So what
______ on the top of the hill is an ancient temple dating back to the 17th century.
A. Standing B. Having stood C. Being stood D. Having stood
The fat woman sat at the table, her eyes _____ on the rich food on the plates.
A. having fixed B. are being fixed C. fixed D. are fixing
