Question

More than 2.25 billion cups of coffee are consumed across the globe each day, and it’s likely that many taste bitter.

Now, a new study suggests that coffee fans can make their drink taste sweeter by simply changing the colour of their cups.

Scientists claim that blue and glass mugs, which are popular in some coffee shops, can reduce coffee’s bitterness, without any need for sugar, and that coffee drunk from white cups tastes the bitterest.

To prove their claims, the researchers invited 36 volunteers and used three different colored cups -- blue, white and transparent glass -- to do an experiment.

In the experiment, coffee consumed from the white cup was found to taste less sweet when compared to the other two colored cups, while the blue cup made the coffee taste the sweetest.

The scientists believe that the colour brown may be associated with coffee’s bitterness because coffee in a white cup appears the brownest and tastes the bitterest.

“Our study clearly shows that the colour of a coffee cup does influence the perceived (感受到的) taste and flavor of coffee,” said Dr George Doorn of Federation University Australia, “but the potential effects may be different between a one-time purchase and a return customer.”

“Anyhow, the effect of the colour of the cup on the flavor of the coffee suggests that café owners, baristas (服务员), as well as coffee cup manufacturers should carefully consider the colour of their cups, ” he added.

However, the idea that colour can alter the taste of food and drink is not new.

A study published last year revealed that red, strawberry-flavored mousse (慕斯蛋糕) served on a white plate was rated as 10 percent sweeter and 15 percent more flavorous than the same food presented on a black plate.

1.What color of the cup can best reduce coffee’s bitterness without adding sugar?

A. Blue.          B. Brown.       C. White.        D. Transparent.

2.The scientists used ________ to do the experiment to prove their claims.

① different brands of coffee

② different colored coffee cups

③ several volunteers

④ several manufactures

A. ① ②           B. ② ③         C. ② ④       D. ③ ④

3.Why does coffee in white cups taste the least sweet?

A. Because white cups are not as beautiful as other cups.

B. Because white cups make coffee appear the brownest.

C. Because white cups reduce the sugar in them.

D. Because white cups are better used to serve cakes.

4.According to the article, which of the following statements is TRUE?

A. Black plates increase the sweetness of food and drink.

B. Strawberry-flavored mousse is 10 percent sweeter than coffee.

C. People consume more than 2.5 billion cups of coffee across the globe every year.

D. People can make coffee taste sweeter by changing the color of their coffee cups.

Answer

1.A

2.B

3.B

4.D

【解析】

试题分析：全球每天消费的咖啡超过22.5亿杯。现在，一项新的研究表明通过简单的改变杯子的颜色就能改变人们喝到的甜味的程度。

1.A事实细节题。根据短文Scientists claim that blue and glass mugs, which are popular in some coffee shops, can reduce coffee’s bitterness, without any need for sugar, and that coffee drunk from white cups tastes the bitterest. 可知使用蓝色的杯子可以不通过添加糖分就减轻咖啡的苦度。故选A。

2.B细节理解题。根据To prove their claims, the researchers invited 36 volunteers and used three different colored cups -- blue, white and transparent glass -- to do an experiment. 可知研究者通过一些志愿者和不同颜色的咖啡杯来做实验。故选B。

3.B细节理解题。根据短文The scientists believe that the colour brown may be associated with coffee’s bitterness because coffee in a white cup appears the brownest and tastes the bitterest. 可知棕色和咖啡的苦读有关系，而白色最能凸显咖啡的棕色，因此白色杯子里的咖啡喝起来更苦。故选D。

4.D推理判断题。根据短文Scientists claim that blue and glass mugs, which are popular in some coffee shops, can reduce coffee’s bitterness, without any need for sugar, and that coffee drunk from white cups tastes the bitterest. 可知使用蓝色的杯子可以不通过添加糖分就减轻咖啡的苦度。根据短文The scientists believe that the colour brown may be associated with coffee’s bitterness because coffee in a white cup appears the brownest and tastes the bitterest. 可知棕色和咖啡的苦读有关系，而白色最能凸显咖啡的棕色，因此白色杯子里的咖啡喝起来更苦。因此可知通过简单的改变杯子的颜色就能改变人们喝到的甜味的程度。故选D。

考点：考查社会现象类阅读