Question

Most of the time, we choose colors for decorating based on our personal taste and our sense of aesthetics (审美学). But, a number of color experts believe that colors have an effect on our emotions and that it would be wise of us to be conscious of that before settling on a definite choice.

Some of the effects of colors are well known and accepted by most people. In fact, those effects have been the subject of serious research and experiments and have been scientifically proven. But not all scientists agree on the validity (正确性) of the results.

When we become interested in the psychological effects of colors, it is important to know that not all societies share our opinion of those effects on our emotions. What we hold as an "objective" observation on a color is often nothing more than a reflection of our cultural belongingness, which has attributed properties to that color for generations.

Why is it not possible for us to hold a really objective discourse(论述)on the subject? In part, because it is very difficult to separate the psychological from the symbolic, the symbolic aspects are definitely cultural. Often, and this without our realizing it, they influence our understanding of colors and the following emotions - both psychological aspects. Black and white are good examples. In western countries, black is considered serious, dramatic and sometimes sad. People are warned against its potentially depressing effects on decoration. Black is the traditional color of mourning. White, on the other hand, is associated with purity, peace and optimism. For those reasons, white is the traditional color of bridal dresses. No one would think of attending a funeral in white. Any more than it would occur to a bride to wear black. We simply remain convinced that it is not in the "nature" of those colors. Yet, in certain oriental countries, it is white, not black that is the color of mourning.

That having been said, there is some “overlapping” in the properties different cultures attribute to certain colors. For example, Feng Shui, the traditional Chinese philosophy that distinguishes between good and evil influences explains colors much in the same way as the majority of western color specialists. Is that to say that colors have real natural properties which all humans perceive(感知) in the same way or is the phenomenon an example of the cross-influences that affect the thinking of cultures brought closer to one another by a certain Venetian(威尼斯人) called Marco Polo? It is difficult to say.

But, be that as it may, colors do affect us. And if you feel emotions for a certain color, note them and remember them. You may even wish to consider them next time you are planning to decorate. The decision is yours!

1. Most of the time, we ignore ______ when choosing colors for decoration.

A．personal taste                          B．our aesthetics

C．cultural effects                         D．psychological effects

2.Why is it not possible for us to hold a really objective discourse on the subject?

A．Because it is often nothing more than a reflection of our cultural belongingness.

B．Because the colors have the properties for generations.

C．Because it is difficult to separate the psychological from the cultural.

D．Because the symbolic aspects influence our perception of colors.

3. The italicized word “overlapping” is paragraph 6 is closest in meaning to______

A．difference         B．conflict           C．sameness         D．agreement

4. In western countries, white is ______.

A．preferred by bridals                     B．used in a funerals sometimes

C．depressing in decoration                  D．pure in its nature

5. According to the author, which of the following statements is certain?

A．Different cultures can have the same properties of colors.

B．If you feel emotions for a color, note them and remember them.

C．All humans perceive colors’ natural properties in the same way.

D．Marco Polo disclosed the psychological effects of colors.

Answer

1.D

2.C

3.C

4.A

5.A

【解析】

试题分析：本文讨论的是在不同的文化中对于颜色的理解有很多相同的地方，并做了具体的分析。

1.D 推理题。根据文章第一段Most of the time, we choose colors for decorating based on our personal taste and our sense of aesthetics (审美学). But, a number of color experts believe that colors have an effect on our emotions and that it would be wise of us to be conscious of that before settling on a definite choice.说明人们在装修的时候，选择颜色只是根据自己的爱好，没有考虑颜色在心理学上的影响，故D正确。

2.C 细节题。根据第四段2,3行In part, because it is very difficult to separate the psychological from the symbolic, the symbolic aspects are definitely cultural.说明主要是因为文化方面的影响，C正确。

3.C 推理题。根据最后一段2,3,4行For example, Feng Shui, the traditional Chinese philosophy that distinguishes between good and evil influences explains colors much in the same way as the majority of western color specialists.说明在东西方对于风水的理解是相似的，故C正确。

4.A 细节题。根据倒数4,5,6行White, on the other hand, is associated with purity, peace and optimism. For those reasons, white is the traditional color of bridal dresses.说明A正确。

5.A 推理题。根据倒数第二段内容可知在很多不同的文化中，对于颜色有很多相同的看法，故A正确。

考点：考查文化类阅读