Question

Many of us have had recurring (反复出现的) and disturbing nightmares that are difficult to understand. Now, research has discovered these dreams are a reflection of our daily struggles. In particular, feelings of lacking independence in competence or being misunderstood can touch off nightmares, scientists say. These feelings suggest that a person’s basic psychological needs are not being met, and nightmares occur when we haven't processed these emotions properly. A number of recurring themes, which may include being trapped, chased or attacked, or failing in an important task, seem to appear during disturbing dreams.

In their latest study on nightmares, Cardiff University found a recurring dream about falling from a height could mean someone feels frustrated in their daily lives. “We found that people whose recurring dreams were felt to have more negative emotions in them also felt more incompetent, isolated, or pressured by others in their daily life,” Dr Netta Weinstein told "MailOnline". Dr Weinstein said that finding help for challenges could help to alleviate(减轻) recurring dreams.

Dr Weinstein said that recurring dreams in which people experience failure were also common among those who frequently felt frustrated. Research has previously shown that those who feel under pressure in real life are more likely to experience a dream in which they are unprepared for something important like an exam or a meeting. “My typical stress dream was about the whole classroom getting out of control. I would be feeling powerless or helpless to manage a situation,” Margaret Bowater, president of the Dream Network Aotearoa New Zealand told "Stuff”.

Those who feel trapped in their dreams likely feel trapped in real life, Ms Bowater told “Stuff”. “A dream is trying to show, or repeat something back to you,” she said. “It's usually using concrete imagery for something that is not necessarily a concrete thing to say.” Dr Weinstein said frequently being attacked in your dreams may show you are frustrated in your day to day activities.

According to UK dream expert Ian Wallace, being chased or attacked is the most common dream from all around the world. Being chased by an animal indicates there is an instinctive impulse (本能冲动) that you are finding hard to control in waking life.

In Dr Weinstein’s new study, she found that people who are frustrated with their lives have dreams with more negative themes that made them frightened, angry or sad. When asked to describe their own dreams, they tended to do so using more negative words, while participants whose psychological needs were met were more likely to describe their dreams positively

1.What is the meaning of the underlined phrase “touch off”?

A. End.    B. Cause.    C. Escape from.    D. Turn into.

2.How can a person avoid dreaming about falling from a height according to Dr. Weinstein?

A. By not climbing high buildings any more.

B. By always doing things independently.

C. By escaping his daily challenges.

D. By turning to others when in trouble.

3.If people feel frustrated in their real life, they may dream about the following EXCEPT that ________.

A. someone is attacking them

B. they fall from a high place

C. they are not ready to go for an interview

D. they are not successful in achieving something

4.What can we know from Netta Weinsteir's words?

A. People who always have same dreams are negative.

B. People who have nightmares always lose control of their life.

C. People who frequently have dreams with negative emotions may suffer greatly in their real life.

D. People are more likely to have nightmares when they can’t control their feelings in their real life.

5.What can be concluded from the last two paragraphs?

A. It is hard for people to avoid having nightmares.

B. People are unwilling to share their nightmares with others.

C. Most people’s dreams are about them being chased or attacked by animals.

D. People whose psychological needs aren't met tend to explain their dreams negatively.

Answer

1. B

2. D

3. C

4. C

5. D

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文。我们许多人都做过反复出现的、令人不安的、难以理解的噩梦。现在，研究发现这些梦反映了我们每天的挣扎。科学家们说，尤其是缺乏独立能力或被误解的感觉会引发噩梦。这些感觉表明一个人的基本心理需求没有得到满足，当我们没有正确处理这些情绪时，噩梦就会发生。

1.词义猜测题。根据第一段中In particular, feelings of lacking independence in competence or being misunderstood can touch off nightmares, scientists say. These feelings suggest that a person’s basic psychological needs are not being met, and nightmares occur when we haven't processed these emotions properly. 科学家们说，尤其是缺乏独立能力或被误解的感觉会引发噩梦。这些感觉表明一个人的基本心理需求没有得到满足，当我们没有正确处理这些情绪时，噩梦就会发生。根据句中的occur“发生”推知划线部分的意思是“引起”，故选B。

2.推理判断题。根据第二段最后一句finding help for challenges could help to alleviate(减轻) recurring dreams.可知，按着Dr. Weinstein说，一个人“当遇到困难时，向别人求助”能避免梦到从高处坠落。故选D。

3.推理判断题。根据第二段第一句In their latest study on nightmares, Cardiff University found a recurring dream about falling from a height could mean someone feels frustrated in their daily lives.第三段第一句Dr Weinstein said that recurring dreams in which people experience failure were also common among those who frequently felt frustrated.和第四段最后一句Dr Weinstein said frequently being attacked in your dreams may show you are frustrated in your day to day activities.由此可知，如果人们在现实生活中感到沮丧，他们可能会梦到A/B/D选项中提到的事情，而不会梦到C项“他们还没有准备好去面试”。故选C。

4.推理判断题。根据最后一段中In Dr Weinstein’s new study, she found that people who are frustrated with their lives have dreams with more negative themes that made them frightened, angry or sad.可知，我们能从Netta Weinsteir的话中了解到经常做带有负面情绪的梦的人在现实生活中可能会遭受很大的痛苦。故选C。

5.推理判断题。根据最后一段中When asked to describe their own dreams, they tended to do so using more negative words, while participants whose psychological needs were met were more likely to describe their dreams positively从最后两段可知，心理需求得不到满足的人往往会消极地解释他们的梦。故选D。