Question

    Researchers continue to show the power behind our sense of smell. Recent studies have found, among other things, that the smell of foods like pizza can cause uncontrollable anger in drivers on roads.

The review explains that smell is unique in its effects on the brain. According to Conrad King, the researcher who carried out the review, "more than any other senses, the sense of smell goes through the logical part of the brain and acts on the systems concerned with feelings. This is why the smell of baking bread can destroy the best intentions of a dieter."

Smell, which dictates the unbelievable complexity of food tastes, has always been the least understood of our senses. Our noses are able to detect up to 10,000 distinct smells. Our ability to smell and taste this extremely large range of smells is controlled by something like 1,000 genes (基因), which make up an amazing 3% of the human genome. Researchers Richard Axel and Linda Buck were together awarded a Nobel Prize in 2004 for their ground-breaking research on the nature of this extraordinary sense. These two scientists were the first to describe the family of 1,000 olfactory (嗅觉) genes and to explain how our olfactory system works.

According to one study in the research review, smelling fresh pizza or even the packaging of fast foods can be enough to make drivers feel impatient with other road users. They are then more likely to speed and experience uncontrollable anger on roads. The most reasonable explanation is that these can all make drivers feel hungry, and therefore desperate to satisfy their appetites.

In contrast, the smells of peppermint and cinnamon were shown to improve concentration levels as well as reduce drivers’ impatience. Similarly, the smells of lemon and coffee appeared to promote clear thinking and mental focus.

However, the way genes regulate smell differs from person to person. A study by researchers in Israel has identified at least 50 olfactory genes which are switched on in some people and not in others. They believe this may explain why some of us love some smells and tastes while others hate them. The Israel researchers say their study shows that nearly every human being shows a different pattern of active and inactive smell-detecting receptors.

1.What did Richard Axel and Linda Buck find out?

A.The category of food smells.

B.The logical part of human brain.

C.The nature of human olfactory system.

D.The relationship between food and feelings.

2.Which of the following can help people concentrate?

A.Bread. B.Fruits.

C.Coffee. D.Fast food.

3.What do we know from the last paragraph?

A.Some people can recognize up to 50 smells.

B.Every person has a different pattern of genes.

C.Different people are sensitive to different smells.

D.There are still some olfactory genes to be found out.

4.What is the passage mainly about?

A.Logic and behaviour.

B.Smell and its influence.

C.Sense ability and food tastes.

D.Olfactory genes and its system.

Answer

1.C

2.C

3.C

4.B

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了人类的嗅觉和它的影响。

1.细节理解题。根据第三段中“These two scientists were the first to describe the family of 1,000 olfactory (嗅觉) genes and to explain how our olfactory system works.”可知，Richard Axel and Linda Buck研究了家庭嗅觉基因并解释了我们的嗅觉系统是如何工作的，即人类嗅觉系统的本质，故选C。

2.细节理解题。根据第五段中“Similarly, the smells of lemon and coffee appeared to promote clear thinking and mental focus.”可知，柠檬和咖啡的气味有助于提高思考和注意力，故选C。

3.推理判断题。根据最后一段中“The Israel researchers say their study shows that nearly every human being shows a different pattern of active and inactive smell-detecting receptors.”， 几乎每个人的嗅觉感受器的活跃和不活跃模式都不同。由此判断出，不同的人对不同的气味敏感，故选C。

4.主旨大意题。通读全文尤其是根据第一段中Researchers continue to show the power behind our sense of smell. Recent studies have found, among other things, that the smell of foods like pizza can cause uncontrollable anger in drivers on roads.可知，研究人员继续证明我们的嗅觉背后的力量。最近的研究发现，比萨等食物的味道会让道路上的司机无法控制自己的愤怒情绪。以及全文的具体说明可知，本文主要介绍了人类的嗅觉和它的影响。故选B。