Question

    You may have been told before not to be afraid of anything. Fear is often associated with weakness. Fear is something to be avoided.

But that's not true, according to Time For Kids magazine. Fear can be good for us.

Fear tells us about danger. Without fear, we wouldn't know to run away from a tiger or step back from a cliff.

In a study published in the Justice Quarterly journal in August, researchers from Michigan State University said that a healthy fear of crime keeps teenagers away from potentially dangerous people, places and activities.

Fear makes us jump, scream and sweat. But interestingly, sometimes we make ourselves feel fear on purpose. Think about scary books and movies, and also the long lines for a scary roller coaster ride.

Margee Kerr, a US sociologist, explained why to Time For Kids.

Fear fills our brain with healthy chemical substances, especially endorphins and dopamine, and these things create feelings of happiness and excite us, according to Kerr.

In addition, when you're scared, your body produces a chemical which helps people bond with each other.

"Watch people walking out of a haunted house, and you'll see lots of smiles and high fives," Kerr told Time For Kids. That also explains why schools and companies organize challenging trips and physical activities to build up team spirit.

People experience and deal with fear in different ways. If you happen to be a “coward” who gets scared easily, don't worry. There is some evidence that being scared can help a person manage stressful situations. Kerr said that things like giving a presentation in front of your class or performing in a school play help build a sort of endurance to fear that makes us more confident.

“You become more comfortable with the physical experience of fear, and so you are better able to work through it during tense situations,” said Kerr.

So learn to love your fear. It only grows when we forget how helpful our fear is trying to be.

1.What is the article mainly about?

A.The benefits fear brings us. B.Different ways to deal with fear.

C.People's misunderstandings about fear. D.A new study about fear.

2.Why is a scary roller coaster ride helpful to people according to the article?

A.It improves people's ability to survive in the world.

B.It makes people less cowardly and more confident in life.

C.It teaches people how to keep away from things that could be dangerous.

D.It causes the brain to produce chemicals that make people happy and excited.

3.The underlined phrase “bond with” in Paragraph 8 is closest in meaning to  _________.

A.pay attention to B.fight against

C.get closer to D.be more careful with

4.What is the right attitude toward fear according to the article?

A.Learn to enjoy healthy fear.

B.Experience it as often as possible.

C.Consider it as a sign of weakness.

D.Avoid being involved in scary situations.

Answer

1.A

2.D

3.C

4.A

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。有研究表明，恐惧对人有好处。因为恐惧会让大脑充满健康的化学物质，尤其是内啡肽和多巴胺，这些物质会让人产生幸福感，让人感觉兴奋。恐惧感也会让人们更加亲密，帮助一个人应对压力状况从而更加自信。所以对待恐惧的正确态度是学会享受健康的恐惧。

1.主旨大意题。根据第二段But that's not true, according to Time For Kids magazine. Fear can be good for us.（但据《时代儿童》杂志报道，事实并非如此。恐惧对我们有好处。）以及文章主要内容为说明恐惧能够给人们带来的好处，可知这篇文章的主要内容是恐惧给我们带来的好处。故选A。

2.推理判断题。根据第七段Fear fills our brain with healthy chemical substances, especially endorphins and dopamine, and these things create feelings of happiness and excite us, according to Kerr.（克尔认为，恐惧会让我们的大脑充满健康的化学物质，尤其是内啡肽和多巴胺，这些物质会让我们产生幸福感，让我们兴奋。）可知可怕的过山车可以使大脑产生使人快乐和兴奋的化学物质，故而对人们有帮助。故选D。

3.词义猜测题。根据下文"Watch people walking out of a haunted house, and you'll see lots of smiles and high fives," Kerr told Time For Kids. That also explains why schools and companies organize challenging trips and physical activities to build up team spirit. “看着人们走出鬼屋，你会看到很多微笑和击掌，”科尔告诉《时代儿童》。这也解释了为什么学校和公司组织有挑战性的旅行和体育活动来建立团队精神。可知当人们感到害怕时，身体会产生一种化学物质，可以让人们相互之间变得更加亲密。故划线短语意思为“靠近；亲密”。故选C。

4.细节理解题。根据最后一段第一句So learn to love your fear. It only grows when we forget how helpful our fear is trying to be.（所以学会爱你的恐惧。）可知对恐惧的正确态度是学会享受健康的恐惧。故选A。