Question

    If you want to convince the boss you deserve a pay rise or promotion, the solution could be simple --- eat the same food as they do. Psychologists have discovered managers are much more likely to instantly trust us if we choose the same dishes as them.

During experiments, discussions over wages and work conditions were much more successful if both sides chose to snack on the same treats. And shoppers were much more likely to buy a product advertised on TV by someone eating a similar food to them at the time.

The reason is thought to be the so–called similarity attraction theory --- where people tend to like others who have similar tastes or habits to themselves. But this is believed to be one of the first studies highlighting the role of food in this relationship. Researchers at Chicago University in the US conducted a series of experiments to examine food’s role in earning trust.

In a test, participants were told to watch TV --- where someone pretending to be a member of the public praised a certain product. The volunteers were given Kit Kat bars to nibble, while the TV people ate either a Kit Kat or grapes as they talked.

The results showed viewers were much more likely to express an interest in buying the product if the TV showed the other person eating a Kit Kat too. The researchers added, “Although similarity in food consumption is not a sign of whether two people will get along, we find consumers treat this as such. They feel more trusting of those who consume as they do. It means people can immediately begin to feel friendship and develop a bond, leading to smoother transactions from the start.”

Harley Street psychologist Dr. Lucy Atcheson said it was already known that wearing similar clothes could instantly create trust. But this was the first report that food had the same effect. She said, “This is really interesting. It makes sense as people feel they have common ground and can trust the other person. That means negotiations are more likely to be successful.”

1.According to the passage, customers are likely to buy a product from a dealer who ______.

A.advertises his products on TV B.has the same taste as them

C.reduces the price of his products D.pays attention to the quality of his products

2.The experiments conducted by researchers at Chicago University show that ______.

A.food plays an important role in earning people’s trust

B.bosses like employees that have the same taste as them

C.people who have similar tastes to their boss’s earn more

D.people have less interest in buying products advertised on TV

3.What can be inferred from the passage?

A.People who eat similar food are more likely to trust each other.

B.People will get along with each other if they like to eat similar things.

C.The effect of wearing similar clothes hasn’t been proved by researchers.

D.People are more likely to make friends with those wearing the same clothes as them.

4.Which of the following sayings can be an example of the similarity attraction theory?

A.Honesty is the best policy. B.All good things come to an end.

C.Birds of a feather flock together. D.Where there is a will, there is a way.

Answer

1.B

2.A

3.A

4.C

【解析】

这是一篇议论文。文章主要讲的内容是具研究表明，吃相似食物的人更容易互相信任。

1.细节理解题。根据第一段的And shoppers were much more likely to buy a product advertised on TV by someone eating a similar food to them at the time.可知顾客很可能从和他们有相同品味的经销商那里购买产品，故选择B。

2.Researchers at Chicago University in the US conducted a series of experiments to examine food’s role in earning trust.可知，芝加哥大学的研究人员进行的实验表明，食物在赢得人们的信任方面扮演着重要的角色，故A选项符合文意。

3.推理判断题。根据第一段的Psychologists have discovered managers are much more likely to instantly trust us if we choose the same dishes as them.和第三段的Researchers at Chicago University in the US conducted a series of experiments to examine food’s role in earning trust.可知，吃相似食物的人更容易互相信任。故选择A选项。

4.推理判断题。通读全文可知，文章主要讲的内容是研究表明，吃相似食物的人更容易互相信任，可知可以作为相似性吸引理论的例子是C选项（物以类聚，物人以群分）。A.诚实乃上策；B.天下无不散之筵席；D.世上无难事，只要肯攀登。三个选项不符合题意，故C项正确。