13．Are you shy？If you are，you are not alone．In fact，close to 50percent（百分比） of people are shy．Almost 80percent of people feel shy at some point in their lives．These days，shyness is becoming more and more common．Now，scientists are trying to understand shyness．They have some interesting ideas about why people are shy．
Is it possible to be born shy？Many scientists say yes．They say 15to 20percent of babies behave shyly．These babies are a little quieter and more watchful than other babies．Interestingly，these shy babies usually have shy parents．As a result，scientists think that some shyness is genetic．
Family size might cause people to be shy as well．Scientists at Harvard University studied shy children．They found that 66percent of them had older brothers and sisters．As a result，they became shy．At the same time，children with no brothers and sisters may be shy as well．Growing up alone，they often play by themselves．They are not able to learn the same social skills as children from big families．
You may also be shy because of where you were born．When scientists studied shyness in different countries．They found surprising differences．In Japan，most people said they were shy．But in Israel（以色列），only one of three people said so．What explains the difference？One scientist says the Japanese and Israelis have different opinions of failure．In Japan，when people do not succeed，they feel bad about themselves．They blame（责备）themselves for their failure．In Israel，the opposite is true．Israelis often blame failure on outside reasons，such as family，teachers，friends，or bad luck．In Israel，freedom of opinion and risk taking are strongly supported．This may be why Israelis worry less about failure and are less shy．
For shy people，it can be difficult to make friends，speak in class，and even get a good job．But scientists say you can get over your shyness．They suggest trying new things and practicing conversation．And don't forget---if you are shy，you are not the only one．
61．What is the passage mainly about？B
A．Happiness．
B．Shyness．
C．Kindness．
D．loneliness．
62．What does the underlined word"genetic"in paragraph 2probably mean？A
A．Passed down from parents．
B．Learned from friends．
C．Taught by teachers．
D．Made up by brothers．
63．We can learn from the passage thatB may cause shyness．
A．genetics，grown--ups and birthplace
B．genetics，family size and birthplace
C．family size，grown--ups and failure
D．genetics，family size and freedom
64．Scientists suggest that shy people can get over their shyness byB．
A．blaming their failure on outside reasons
B．trying new things and practicing conversation
C．getting themselves away from their shy parents
D．trying to understand reasons for their shyness
65．Which is True according to the passage？C
A．Most babies are born shy and quiet．
B．If you are shy now，you will be shy forever．
C．Many shy children have older brothers and sisters．
D．Most Israeli people are shy of expressing opinions．
分析 本文介绍了科学家对害羞这一性格的研究成果．你害羞吗？如果是，那么你不是一个人，研究表明很多人有这种性格．那么这种性格是怎么形成的呢？科学家在对此研究的时候发现，可能导致害羞的原因有基因、家庭成员的数量和出生地．害羞这种性格有很多缺点，不过它是可以改变的．可以通过接触新事物练习交谈等方法改进．
解答 61．B主旨大意题．文章第一句话就问道"你害羞吗？如果是，那么你不是一个人"接着文章介绍了可能导致害羞的三个原因，最后说害羞虽然有很多害处，但是可以改变的．所以本文讲的主要是害羞．故选B．
62．A单词理解题．前文说到Interestingly，these shy babies usually have shy parents．As a result 有趣的是，这些害羞的婴儿通常有害羞的父母，由此判断"genetic"意为从父母传下来的基因．故选A．
63．B大意概括题．文章的二三四段，分别介绍了可能导致害羞的三个原因．分别是：基因、家庭人数和出生地，故选B．
64．B细节理解题．文章最后一段说到They suggest trying new things and practicing conversation．他们建议尝试新事物，练习交谈，这样可以改变害羞的性格．故选B．
65．C细节理解题．根据They found that 66 percent of them had older brothers and sisters．可知许多害羞的孩子有哥哥姐姐．故选C．
点评 做题时要在理解好文意的基础上，与题目有机的结合，从文章中找到相关细节性的句子与选项细细比对，进行选择或推理判断，选出符合文章内容的正确选项．做题注意灵活，有时可采用排除法或直选法确定出最终答案．
