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A subject which seems to have been insufficiently studied by doctors and psychologists is the influence ofgeography and climate on the psychological and physical health of mankind.There seems no doubt that the general character of the landscape, the relative length of day and night, and the climate must all play a big part in determining what kind of people we are.

　　It is true that a few studies have been made. Where all the inhabitants of a particular area enjoy exceptionally good or bad health, scientists have identified .contributory factors such as the presence or absence of substances like iodine, fluoride, calcium, or iron in the water supply, or perhaps types of land thatprovide breeding places for pests like mosquitoes or rats.

　　Moreover, we can all generalize about types of people we have met. Those living in countries .with long dark winters are apt to be less talkative and less vivacious than inhabitants of countries where the climateis more equable(稳定的). And where the olive and the orange grow, there the inhabitants are cheerful, talkative, and spontaneous.

　　But these commonplace generalizations are inadequate: the influence: of climate and geography should be studied in depth. Do all mountain dwellers live to a ripe old age? Does the drinking of wine, rather than beer, result in a sunny and open temperament? Is the strength and height of one of the Kenyan tribes due to their habitual drinking of the blood of cows?

　　We are not yet sure of the answers to such .questions, but let us hope that something of benefit to mankind may eventually result from such studies.

　　练习题：

　　Choose correct answers to the question:

　　1.The author's purpose of writing this passage is to______.

　　A.alert readers to the scarcity of natural resources

　　B.call for more research on the influence of geographical environment

　　C.introduce different elements in character cultivation

　　D.draw more attention to the health condition of mankind

　　2.It can be inferred that proper amounts of iodine, fluoride and calcium can_____.

　　A.benefit people’s physical health

　　B. influence the quality of water supply

　　C.help provide breeding places for pests.

　　D. strengthen a person's character

　　3.How does the author evaluate the generalizations of people's types in Para. 3?

　　A.Such generalizations help us judge the different characters of people we meet

　　B.Such generalizations are not inclusive enough to draw a convincing conclusion.

　　C.Such generalizations prove that nature plays an important role in determining social habits.

　　D.Such generalizations show that there are mainly two different types of people on the planet.

　　4.According to the passage, research into the influence of climate and geography should ____.

　　A. focus on unknown aspects

　　B. be pursued on a larger scale

　　C. be carried out among remote tribes

　　D. go ahead in depth

　　5.What do we know about the generalizations of people’s type?

　　A.People who like drinking wine tend to be optimistic.

　　B.People who live in mountain areas tend to have a long life.

　　C.People who live in areas with stable climate tend to be talkative and lively.

　　D.People who like drinking cow blood tend to be strong and tall.

答案：

　　1.B   2.A   3.B    4.D    5.C

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