2016年北京卷

第二节(共 5 小题;每小题 2 分，共 10 分)

根据短文内容，从短文后的七个选项中选出正确的填入空白处。选项中有两项为多余选项。

The science of Risk-Seeking

Sometimes We decide that a little unnecessary danger is worth it because when we weigh the risk and the reward, the risk seems worth taking. 71 Some of us enjoy activities that would surprise and scare the rest of us. Why? Experts say it may have to do with how our brains work.

The reason why any of us take any risks at all might have to do with early humans. Risk-takers were better at hunting, fighting, or exploring. 72 As the quality of Risk-taking was passed from on ration to the next, humans ended up with a sense of adventure and a tolerance for risk.

So why aren’t we all jumping out of airplanes then? Well, even 200,000 years ago, too much risk-taking could get one Killed. A few daring survived, though, along with a few stay-in-the-cave types. As a result, humans developed a range of character types that still exists today. So maybe you love car racing, or maybe you hate it. 73

No matter where you are on the risk-seeking range, scientists say that your willingness to take risks increases during your teenage years. 74 To help you do that, your brain increases your hunger for new experiences. New experiences often mean taking some risks, so your brain raises your tolerance for risk as well.

Mean taking some risks, so your brain raisers your tolerance for risk as well.

75 For the risk-seekers a part of the brain related to pleasure becomes active, while for the rest of us, a part of the brain related to fear becomes active.

As experts continue to study the science of risk-seeking, we’ll continue to hit the mountains, the waves or the shallow end of the pool.

A. It all depends on your character.

B. Those are the risks you should jump to take.

C. Being better at those things meant a greater chance of survival.

D. Thus, these well-equipped people survived because they were the fittest.

E. This is when you start to move away from your family and into the bigger world.

F. However, we are not all using the same reference standard to weigh risks and rewards.

G. New brain research suggests our brains work differently when we face a nervous situation.

答案解析：

71. 根据原文提到我们有时会决定承受一些不必要的危险，因为权衡风险和回报后觉得值得，而后文又说有些人喜欢令其他人惊讶和害怕的活动，可知大家衡量风险和回报的标准不同，所以选F。更多真题请微信搜索英语巴士小程序。

72. 原文讲冒险者在狩猎等方面更擅长，后面说这种冒险特质代代相传，C选项“更擅长那些事意味着更大的生存机会”能很好地衔接上下文，所以选C。

73. 前文说人类形成了至今仍存在的多种性格类型，比如有的爱赛车有的讨厌，A选项“这都取决于你的性格”符合语境，所以选A。

74. 前文说科学家表明青少年时期冒险意愿增加，E选项“这是你开始离开家庭进入更广阔世界的时候”解释了原因，所以选E。

75.后文分别阐述了对于寻求风险者和其余人大脑不同部位活跃，G选项“新的大脑研究表明当我们面对紧张情况时大脑工作方式不同”能引出下文，所以选G。