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(2021·北京模拟)
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(决定) 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, 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.
【文章大意】文章主要介绍了人类的嗅觉基因和嗅觉系统, 科学家们通过研究嗅觉基因和嗅觉系统是如何工作的, 发现了嗅觉对我们生活的影响。
1. What did Richard Axel and Linda Buck find out?
A. The type of food smells.
B. The logical part of human brain.
C. The nature of human olfactory system.
D. The relationship between food and feelings.
【解析】选C。细节理解题。答案定位在第三段These two scientists were the first to describe the family of 1, 000 olfactory genes and to explain how our olfactory system works. (这两位科学家首次描述了1 000个嗅觉基因家族, 并解释了我们的嗅觉系统是如何工作的。)由此可知Richard Axel和 Linda Buck这两位科学家发现了人类嗅觉系统的本质。
2. Which of the following can help people concentrate?
A. Bread. B. Fast food.
C. Pizza. D. Coffee.
【解析】选D。细节理解题。答案定位在第五段Similarly, the smells of lemon and coffee appeared to promote clear thinking and mental focus. 可知喝咖啡有助于提高思考和注意力。
3. What do we know from the last paragraph?
A. Different people are sensitive to different smells.
B. Every person has a different pattern of genes.
C. Some people can recognize up to 50 smells.
D. There are still some olfactory genes to be found out.
【解析】选A。推理判断题。答案定位在最后一段The Israel researchers say their study shows that nearly every human being shows a different pattern of active and inactive smell-detecting receptors. (以色列研究人员表示, 他们的研究表明, 几乎每个人的嗅觉感受器的活跃和不活跃模式都不一样。)由此可知不同的人对不同的气味敏感。
4. What is the passage mainly about?
A. Logic and behavior.
B. Smell and its influence.
C. Sense ability and food tastes.
D. Olfactory genes and its system.
【解析】选B。主旨大意题。第一段Recent studies have found, among other things, that the smell of foods like pizza can cause uncontrollable anger in drivers on roads. (最近的研究发现, 比萨等食物的味道会让道路上的司机产生无法控制的愤怒)是全文的主题句, 结合全文内容, 可知这篇文章主要介绍了气味及其影响。
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【知识拓展】词汇积累
uncontrollable anger不可遏止的怒气; unbelievable complexity难以置信的复杂性; detect发现; human genome人类基因库; ground-breaking research开创性的研究; desperate to satisfy their appetites迫切满足欲望
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