Passage Two
Questions 51 to 55 are based on the following passage.
The secret to eating less and being happy about it may have been cracked years ago—by McDonald's. according to a new study from Cornell University's Food and Brand Lab, small non-food rewards--like the toys in McDonald's Happy Meals--stimulate the same reward centers in the brain as food does.
The researchers, led by Martin Reimann, carried out a series of experiments to see if people would choose a smaller meal if it was paired with a non-food item.
They found that the majority of both kids and adults opted for a haft-sized portion when combined with a prize. Both options were priced the same.
Even more interesting is that the promise of a future reward was enough to make adults choose the smaller portion. One of the prizes used was a lottery ticket (彩票), with a $10, $ 50 or $100 payout, and this was as effective as a tangible gift in persuading people to eat less.
"The fact that participants were willing to substitute part of a food item for the mere prospect of a relatively small monetary award is interesting," says Reimann.
He theorizes that it is the emotional component of these intangible prizes that make them effective. In fact, vaguely-stated possibilities of winning a prize were more effective than options with hard odds included.
"One explanation for this finding is that possible awards may be more emotionally provoking than certainty Reimann." The of added attraction and awards," says uncertainty winning provides desirability through emotional 'thrills.' The possibility of receiving an award also produces a state of hope--a state that is in itself psychologically rewarding." In other words, there's a reason why people like to gamble.
How might this knowledge be used to help people eat more healthily?
One possibility is a healthy option that offers the chance to win a spa (温泉疗养) weekend. Or maybe the reward of a half-sized portion could be a half-sized dessert to be claimed only on a future date. That would get you back in the restaurant--and make you eat a little less.
51. What do we learn about McDonald's inclusion of toys in its Happy Meals?
A. It may shed light on people's desire to crack a secret.
B. It has proved to be key to McDonald's business success.
C. It appeals to kid's curiosity to find out what is hidden inside.
D. It may be a pleasant way for kids to reduce their food intake.
52. What is the finding of the researchers led by Martin Reimann?
A. Reducing food intake is not that difficult if people go to McDonald's more.
B. Most kids and adults don't actually feel hungry when they eat half of their meal.
C. Eating a smaller portion of food does good to the health of kids and adults alike.
D. Most kids and adults would choose a smaller meal that came with a non-food item.
53. What is most interesting in Martin Reimann's finding?
A. Kids preferred an award in the form of money to one in the form of a toy.
B. Adults chose the smaller portion on the mere promise of a future award.
C. Both kids and adults felt satisfied with only half of their meal portions.
D. Neither children nor adults could resist the temptation of a free toy.
54. How does Martin Reimann interpret his finding?
A. The emotional component of the prizes is at work.
B. People now care more about quality than quantity.
C. People prefer certainty awards to possible awards.
D. The desire for a future reward is overwhelming.
55. What can we infer from Martin Reimann's finding?
A. People should eat much less if they wish to stay healthy and happy.
B. More fast food restaurants are likely to follow McDonald's example.
C. We can lead people to eat less while helping the restaurant business.
D. More studies are needed to find out the impact of emotion on behavior.
答案解析：
51. D根据第一段“small non - food rewards--like the toys in McDonald's Happy Meals--stimulate the same reward centers in the brain as food does.”以及后文实验表明和玩具搭配的小份餐更受欢迎，可知麦当劳在开心乐园餐中加入玩具可能是让孩子们减少食物摄入的一种愉快方式，所以选D。
52. D根据第三段“They found that the majority of both kids and adults opted for a haft - sized portion when combined with a prize.”可知，由Martin Reimann带领的研究人员发现大多数孩子和成年人会选择搭配非食物物品的较小份餐食，所以选D。
53. B根据第四段“Even more interesting is that the promise of a future reward was enough to make adults choose the smaller portion.”可知，Martin Reimann的发现中最有趣的是成年人仅凭对未来奖励的承诺就选择了较小份的餐食，所以选B。
54. A根据第六段“He theorizes that it is the emotional component of these intangible prizes that make them effective.”可知，Martin Reimann认为奖品的情感因素在起作用，所以选A。
55. C根据最后一段“How might this knowledge be used to help people eat more healthily?...That would get you back in the restaurant--and make you eat a little less.”可知，从Martin Reimann的发现中我们可以推断出我们可以在帮助餐馆生意的同时引导人们少吃，所以选C。
