新编四级听力练习 第254期

Section B
Passage One
The secret of a long and happy marriage appears to be not to expect too much from it. Far better, US researchers say, to aim low to ensure you are not disappointed. [26]The key to keeping that newlywed glow appears to be forgiveness and communication. [27]The study by researchers from Ohio and Florida Universities looked at 82 couples. They quizzed all the spouses independently over four years. Writing in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, researchers led by James McNulty, professor of psychology at Ohio University, said: "In contrast to the idea that expectations in the early years of marriage exert main effects on satisfaction, [28]the current findings suggest that the effects of expectations interact with the skills partners bring to their relationships." The study also found that people tend to select like-minded partners who they believe will be able to maintain a stable relationship. The finding contradicts the old belief that opposites attract. Instead, the US researchers said people looking for long-term relationships should select partners who were similar to themselves, rather than seeking out the highest quality partner available.

Questions 26 to 28 are based on the passage you have just heard.
26. What is the key to a happy marriage according to the study?
正确答案：D
解析：短文开头处说：“使新婚夫妇容光焕发的要诀似乎是宽容与沟通。”故D正确。本题符合短文听力“听到什么选什么”的原则。
27. How many people are investigated in the study?
正确答案：D
解析：原文提到，该研究调查了82对夫妇，因此是164人，即D。本题问数字，把听到的内容一一做笔记，最后根据问题作答。
28. Which is the belief of the researchers?
正确答案：B
解析：短文介绍了一项婚姻调查研究的几个结论，其中一条说：“原先的看法是，婚后头几年里，期望值对满意度起着主要作用；而目前的研究结果与此相对：期望值的影响力与夫妻间相处的技巧密切相关。”也就是说，夫妻间相处的技巧对婚姻关系很重要，故B正确。C、D尽管措辞不同，但意义一致，属等价选项，可直接排除；A的含义即短文提到的“原先的看法”，不属目前研究的结论。