Question

    Have you ever pressed the pedestrian button at a crosswalk and wondered if it really worked? Or strike the “close door” button in an elevator, while suspecting that it may, in fact, have no effect at all? They're called “placebo(安慰剂) buttons”—buttons that mechanically sound and can be pushed, but provide no functionality.

In New York City, only about 100 of the 1, 000 crosswalk buttons actually function. Crosswalk signals were generally installed before traffic jam had reached today's levels, and, over time, they started to influence the complex harmony of traffic lights.

But while their function was taken over by more advanced systems—such as automated lights or traffic sensors—the physical buttons were often kept, rather than being replaced at further expense. Other cities, such as Boston, Dallas and Seattle, have gone through a similar process, leaving them with their own placebo pedestrian buttons. In London, which has 6,000traffic signals, pressing the pedestrian button results in a reliable “Wait” light. But that doesn't necessarily mean that the “green man”—or “pedestrian stage” in traffic signal design profession—will appear any sooner.

“We do have some crossings where the green light comes on automatically, but we still ask people to press the button because that enables accessible features,” said Glynn Barton, director of network management at Transport for London.

These features, such as blind tracks and hearable traffic signals, help people with visual disorder cross the road and only function when the button is pressed. As for the lights, a growing number of them are now combined and become a part of an electronic system that detects traffic and adjusts time frequency accordingly(giving priority to buses if they're running late, for example), which means that pressing the button has no effect.

According to Langer, a Harvard psychologist, placebo buttons give us the illusion of control—and something to do in situations where the alternative would be doing nothing. In the case of pedestrian crossings, they may even make us safer by forcing us to pay attention to our surroundings. “They serve a psychological purpose at the very least,” she added.

1.What is a placebo button?

A.A button that flashes at a crosswalk.

B.A button that warns the pedestrians.

C.A button that nearly has no practical effect now.

D.A button that is not common before the electronic system.

2.Why are the placebo buttons in Boston kept?

A.They cost more to be replaced than to be kept.

B.They are unique attractions on the street.

C.They function well and are environmentally friendly.

D.They respond more slowly than the advanced systems.

3.What does the psychologist Langer think of the buttons at a crosswalk?

A.They're harmful to mental health.

B.They have no use for pedestrians.

C.Pressing them makes people feel foolish.

D.People may have a sense of safety when pressing them.

4.What can be the best title for the text?

A.How do placebo buttons affect mental health?

B.How do the buttons at a crosswalk operate?

C.When should a pedestrian wait at a crosswalk?

D.Why are the big cities full of buttons that don't work?

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.D

4.D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。你是否曾经在人行横道上按下行人按钮，然后怀疑它是否真的有用？或者在电梯里按下“关门”按钮，却怀疑它可能根本不起作用？它们被称为“安慰剂按钮”——这些按钮机械地发出声音，可以按下，但没有任何功能。文章主要介绍了这些安慰剂按钮在大城市存在的原因、对人们的影响以及人们对此的看法。

1.

细节理解题。根据第一段中They're called “placebo(安慰剂) buttons”—buttons that mechanically sound and can be pushed, but provide no functionality.可知它们被称为“安慰剂按钮”——这些按钮机械地发出声音，可以按下，但没有任何功能。由此可知，安慰剂按钮是一个现在几乎没有实际作用的按钮。故选C。

2.

细节理解题。根据第三段中But while their function was taken over by more advanced systems—such as automated lights or traffic sensors—the physical buttons were often kept, rather than being replaced at further expense. Other cities, such as Boston, Dallas and Seattle, have gone through a similar process, leaving them with their own placebo pedestrian buttons.可知但是，当它们的功能被更先进的系统（如自动信号灯或交通传感器）所取代时，物理按钮往往被保留下来，而不是以更高的成本被替换。其他城市，如波士顿、达拉斯和西雅图，也经历了类似的过程，只是留下了自己的行人按钮安慰剂。由此可知，波士顿还保留着安慰剂按钮，因为它们更换的成本比保存的成本高。故选A。

3.

推理判断题。根据最后一段中In the case of pedestrian crossings, they may even make us safer by forcing us to pay attention to our surroundings. “They serve a psychological purpose at the very least,” she added.可知在人行横道的情况下，他们甚至可以使我们更安全，迫使我们注意我们的周围环境。“它们至少有心理作用，”她补充道。由此可推知，心理学家Langer认为人行横道上的按钮，人们在按压时可能会有安全感。故选D。

4.

主旨大意题。根据第一段Have you ever pressed the pedestrian button at a crosswalk and wondered if it really worked? Or strike the “close door” button in an elevator, while suspecting that it may, in fact, have no effect at all? They're called “placebo(安慰剂) buttons”—buttons that mechanically sound and can be pushed, but provide no functionality. 可知你是否曾经在人行横道上按下行人按钮，然后怀疑它是否真的有用？或者在电梯里按下“关门”按钮，却怀疑它可能根本不起作用？它们被称为“安慰剂按钮”——这些按钮机械地发出声音，可以按下，但没有任何功能。结合文章还介绍了这些安慰剂按钮在大城市存在的原因、对人们的影响以及人们对此的看法。由此可知，D选项“为什么大城市里到处都是不起作用的按钮？”最符合文章标题。故选D。