Question

Monkeys surprise us

Humans are the most intelligent animals on Earth. 1.But sometimes, our way of thinking can become an obstacle (障碍).

Julia Watzek, a graduate student in psychology at Georgia State University, US, recently did some research on the problem-solving abilities of both monkeys and humans.2.They intended to test their ability to change their strategies(策略) in the game. In this game, each player was shown four squares on a computer screen: one striped square, one spotted square and two blank squares. While being trained to play the game, they learned that clicking the stripedsquare and then the spotted square would cause a blue triangle to pop up in one of the blank squares. Clicking on the blue triangle would give them a reward. 3. But partway through the game, the researchers introduced a shortcut (捷径). Suddenly, the blue triangle started appearing at the start of gameplay, alongside the striped and spotted squares.4.Remarkably, about 70 percent of the monkeys figured out this shortcut immediately. 5. Only 1 out of 56 human players figured out the shortcut right away.

Watzek’s conclusion was that humans tend to get “stuck in their ways” when it comes to strategic thinking. Things such as standardized testing and formal schooling might cause humans to use the same strategy over and over, even when it doesn’t work very well.

A.Monkeys never did better than human.

B.She and her team had them play a simple game.

C.The spotted square didn’t appear at all till the end.

D.Humans, on the other hand, were slow to figure it out.

E.We have mental abilities that other animals don’t have.

F.If a player clicked on the blue triangle, they’d receive their reward right away.

G.Human players would hear a “woop!” sound and monkey players would receive a snack.

Answer

1.E

2.B

3.G

4.F

5.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文，猴子和人类玩游戏，谁会更受一筹，短文介绍了实验的过程和得出的结论。

1.

根据上文“Humans are the most intelligent animals on Earth.”人类是地球上最聪明的动物。根据下文“But sometimes, our way of thinking can become an obstacle”但有时，我们的思维方式会成为我们的障碍。所以选项承接上文与下文为转折关系。故E项“我们有其它动物不具备的心智能力”切题。故选E项。

2.

根据下文“They intended to test their ability to change their strategies(策略) in the game.” 他们打算测试他们在游戏中改变策略的能力。所以选项承接下文。故B选项“她和她的团队让他们玩一个简单的游戏”切题。故选B项。

3.

根据上文“Clicking on the blue triangle would give them a reward.”可知，点击蓝色三角形会给他们一个奖励。所以选项承接上文。故G选项“人类玩家会听到“呼！”的声音，猴子玩家会收到一份小零食。”切题。故选G项。

4.

根据上段可知，点击蓝色三角形会给他们一个奖励。再根据本段上句“Suddenly, the blue triangle started appearing at the start of gameplay, alongside the striped and spotted squares.”可知，突然，蓝色的三角在游戏开始的时候和条纹以及斑点的正方形一起出现。所以选项要承接上文，说明如果一个玩家点击蓝色三角形，他们会立刻收到奖励。故F选项“如果一个玩家点击蓝色三角形，他们会立刻收到奖励”切题。故选F项。

5.

根据下文“Only 1 out of 56 human players figured out the shortcut right away.” 在56名人类玩家中，只有1人能马上弄清楚这条捷径。选项承接下文。故D选项“另一方面，人类弄清楚这个捷径却很慢”切题。故选D项。