阅读理解
People turn to magic (魔力) chiefly as a form of insurance-that is, they use it along with actions that
actually bring results.For example, hunters may use a hunting charm (咒语). But they also use their
hunting skills and knowledge of animals. The charm may give hunters the extra confidence they need to
hunt even more successfully than they would without it.If they shoot a lot of game (猎物), they credit
the charm for their success. Many events happen naturally without magic. Crops grow without it, and
sick people get well without it.But if people use magic to bring a good harvest or to cure a patient, they
may believe the magic was responsible.
People also tend to forget magic's failures and to be impressed by its surface successes. They may
consider magic successful if it appears to work only 10 per cent of the time. Even when magic fails,
people often explain the failure without doubting the power of the magic. They may say that the magician
made a mistake in reciting the spell or that another magician cast a more powerful spell against the
magician.
Many anthropologists (人类学家) believe that people have faith in magic because they feel a need to
believe in it. People may turn to magic to reduce their fear and uncertainty if they feel they have no
control over the outcome of a situation. For example, farmers use knowledge and skill when they plant
their fields. But they know that weather, insects, or diseases might ruin the crops. So farmers in some
societies may also plant a charm or perform a magic rite to ensure a good harvest.
1. From the passage, we can learn that the writer of the passage may be________.
A. a hunter
B. a farmer
C. a magician
D. an anthropologist
2. Which of the following can best serve as the title of the passage?
A. Magic and Hunting
B. Magic and Farming
C. Why Magic Works?
D. Why People Believe in Magic?
3. The underlined word "spell"( Paragraph 2 ) most likely means________.
A. magic words
B. magic events
C. words or expressions
D. magicians
4. People believe in magic because________.
A. magic powers are greater than natural powers
B. magic can turn dreams into reality
C. they are not sure of themselves
D. magic can bring good results
5. Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?
A. Even though magic fails, believers in magic will explain the reason.
B. Believers in magic usually overstate the power of magic.
C. People use magic to reduce their uncertainty and give them extra confidence.
D. Magic can solve problems people can't deal with in a natural way.
