初三英语时文阅读(二)

初三英语时文阅读（二）

（材料一）你第一次见一对夫妻时，最先闪入脑海的是什么？相信大多数人都会琢磨一下这两个人有没有夫妻相。

Do elderly couples really look alike?

You’ve probably seen it before---two elderly people walking hand in hand down the street and looking very much like each other. They look so much alike that they could be brother and sister.

Do you believe that people who live together for many years would look alike? It’s strange, but scientists say it’s true.

How scientists proved it?

In a study, scientists found young couples only showed similarity by chance. However, elder couples were very likely to look like each other. The similarity could be very subtle and could be found in wrinkles, furrows, etc. Besides, some couples look far more alike than other couples.

The reason behind it

The scientists thought of several possible reasons:

1. Diet.“We are what we eat.”As couples usually share the same diet, will they probably look alike? For example, if both partners eat a high fat diet, their faces will tend to look fat. However, the scientists ruled this out using another small study.

2. Environment. Will elderly couples show similarity because they live together in the same area for a long time? The environmental factors such as sunshine and wind affect the skin in similar ways. The scientists ruled this possibility out as well.

3. Empathy. This is the theory the scientists believe in. Couples grow to look similar because they are empathizing with each other. They copy each other’s facial expressions. For example, if one partner often smiles in a certain way, the other is likely to copy it. In this way, their faces share similar wrinkles and furrows.

A look into the future

Some people still don’t believe in the“empathy”theory. And, some think growing to look more like your partner is a horrific idea. Others, though, think there’s something very sweet and romantic about it.

（材料二）请相信，音乐是有魔力的！

Magic Music

What can music do? As a personal expression? To increase patriotism? Or as a way to pass on traditions?

Sweet music for milking

Scientists believe farmers could get more milk from their cows by playing classical music in the cowshed.

In 2001, a group of UK psychologists played music of different tempos to some cows. Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony* was a big hit in the milking s hed. But when noisy music was played, there was no increase in milk yield. According to research, calming music can improve milk yield, probably because it reduces stress.

Music can help plants grow faster as well. In 2007, South Korean scientists proved that playing music, especially classical pieces, to plants really helps plants grow more quickly.

Muzak*, more than music

Today, you hear muzak almost everywhere. Muzak is functional music rather than entertainment; it affects those who hear it.

Music is art, but Muzak is science. And when you use the science of Muzak: In an office, workers tend to work more efficiently, and feel happier. In a factory, people feel better and, with less fatigue and tension, their jobs seem less monotonous. In a store, people seem to shop in a more relaxed and leisurely manner. That’s why we say Muzak is much more than music.

Music as symbol

At the mention of the 1988 Seoul Olympics (汉城奥运会), what comes into your mind first? The theme song Hand in Hand (汉城奥运会主题曲《手拉手》), of course! It is one of the most