Passage 32【2020 •江西省】

Some people ski (滑雪) down mountains. Others climb huge rocks or photograph dangerous animals. Why do people enjoy risky activities like these?
Some people take risks simply because it makes them feel good. Psychologist (心理学家) Marvin says that this kind of explorers (探险者) are always looking for change and excitement. When people do something new or risky, a chemical (化学物质) in the brain creates a pleasant feeling. They love this feeling and want to experience it as often as possible.
Other people don't take risks for the feeling of excitement but to achieve a goal. For example, Mike Fay went on a dangerous 2,000—mile special journey in central Africa. He worked to help save the wildlife there. Fay’s expeditions helped create 13 national parks.
For other people, such as extreme athletes (极限运动员), taking risks is part of their job. Sports psychologist Shane says extreme athletes see the world differently. In a dangerous activity, most people probably do not feel in control. Extreme athletes are different: they feel in control in dangerous situations. The danger can even help them. For example, skier Daron Rahlves says that being afraid makes him try harder to succeed.
Most of us are not extreme athletes or explorers. However, we still take risks in our lives. Some of us take social risks, such as speaking in front of a large group of people. Sometimes, we take financial risks, such as buying a house. And sometimes we take career risks, such as leaving a job or starting a business. Most people take risks in some areas of life, but not in others. What kind of risk—taker are you?
41 What does the underlined word “it” in Paragraph 2 refer to?
A. The brain. B. Something new.
C. A chemical. D. A pleasant feeling.
42. What does the underlined word “expedition” in Paragraph 3 mean?
A. Much money. B. A journey with a special goal.
C. A great idea. D. A plan for a dangerous journey.
43. How many kinds of extreme athletes or explorers are mentioned in the passage?
A. Three. B. Four. C. Five. D. Six.
44. Which of the following is true according to the passage?
A. Mike Fay is a professional risk—taker.
B. Most people don’t take risks in their daily life.
C. Extreme athletes deal with danger better than others.
D. Daron Rahlves takes risks mainly for change and excitement.
本文是一篇说明文，主要介绍了人们参加冒险活动的原因，如冒险带来的刺激、需要完成的目标、工作的需要以及人们在生活工作中需要的冒险等。
41.D【解析】推理判断题。根据上文“When people do something new or risky, a chemical in the brain creates a pleasant feeling. They love this feeling and want to experience it as often as possible”可知，当人们做一些新的或有风险的事情时，大脑中的一种化学物质会产生一种愉快的感觉。他们喜欢这种感觉，并希望尽可能多地体验这种感觉。故划线部分it指代的是“愉快的感觉”。故选D。
42.B【解析】词句猜测题。根据上文“Other people don't take risks for the feeling of excitement but to achieve a goal…He worked to help save the wildlife there”可知，一些人不会因为兴奋而冒险，而是为了达到一个目标而进行冒险活动，费伊的探险队就是这样的组织，他们的目标是保护野生动物，故划线部分expedition意味着“有着特殊目标的旅程”。故选B。
43.A【解析】细节理解题。根据“Some people take risks simply because it makes them feel good…Other people don't take risks for the feeling of excitement but to achieve a goal…For other people, such as extreme athletes (极限运动员), taking risks is part of their job”可知，文中一共提到了三种极限运动员，分别是因为冒险带来的感受、完成特定的目标、工作需要。故选A。
44.C 【解析】细节理解题。A选项：迈克·费伊是个专业的冒险者。根据“Other people don't take risks for the feeling of excitement but to achieve a goal”可知，迈克·费伊是为了特定的目标而冒险的，选项错误；B选项：大多数人在日常生活中不会冒险。根据“However, we still take risks in our lives”可知，选项错误；C选项：极限运动员比其他运动员更好地应对极端危险。根据“In a dangerous activity, most people probably do not feel in control. Extreme athletes are different: they feel in control in dangerous situations”可知，极限运动员比普通运动员能更好地处理危险，选项正确；D选项：Daron Rahlves主要是为了改变和兴奋而冒险。根据“For other people, such as extreme athletes (极限运动员), taking risks is part of their job”可知，他是因为工作需要而冒险，选项错误。故选C。