21世纪工程硕士研究生英语综合教程unit2.doc

Unit 2 Comprehension A. 1. The first paragraph mainly introduces us a newly observed phenomenon by some scientists who study intelligence: IQ scores have been rising sharply in the last few decades. 2. Scientists have believed that IQ is rigid, and remains steady. The newly observed phenomenon breaks their belief. It is hard evidence that IQ can be changed. 3. Because neither genes nor environment explains IQ rise adequately. Studies about genes show that genes account for about 75 percent of the difference between individuals’ IQs by late adolescence, so environment has very limited room to play a role in determining intelligence. But it would be ridiculous if we say that IQ rise has resulted from “smarter” genes, because the genes in a population do not change quickly enough to cause such sharp IQ rise. That is why scientists find it hard to explain the phenomenon. 4. “Paradox” here refers to two opposing views about the influence of environment on intelligence. The high heritability of IQ suggests that environment does not play much role in shaping IQ, but IQ gains over time suggest that environment is extremely powerful in shaping IQ. 5. They explained that people’s IQs were affected by both environment and genes, but their environments should correspond to their IQs. That is to say, people with higher IQ usually seek and live in a more stimulating environment, which will cause still higher IQ. 6. Genes cause people to seek out certain environments, certain life experiences. Smarter genes enable people to enjoy doing everything, thus causing them to be more and more intelligent than those who are less gifted. 7. “Multiplier effect” means that smarter genes lead to higher IQs, higher IQs then lead one into better environments, and better environments again cause still higher IQs. 8. “Dance” brings to mind a scene or a picture in which two people move rhythmically to music and cooperate in a harmonious way. Genes cause people to seek out certain environment. Envir