四、任务型阅读
KEY→P12
范畴:人与自然 主题:动物世界 体裁:说明文 难度:★★★ 建议用时:8分钟 评价:/5
Have you ever heard the phrase “crocodile tears”? We use this saying to describe someone who cries fake(假的) tears. They seem to care or be sad while actually feeling no emotion at all. But where did this strange expression come from? And is there any truth to it?
For centuries, people have told stories about crocodiles crying while eating their food. One of the earliest and most important stories comes from a famous 14th-century book called The Travels of Sir John Mandeville. It says that crocodiles “kill people and eat them while weeping”. This clear, interesting description made people imagine it easily. Soon, “crocodile tears” became a symbol of insincere(不真心的) emotion—in books and even in daily talks.
But is there any science behind this old idea? Surprisingly, yes! In 2006, scientists did a study. They trained seven crocodiles to eat at a dry feeding place. Out of these seven, five were seen shedding tears(流泪) while eating. However, these tears aren’t a sign of feeling sorry or feeling bad for doing wrong. Scientists think this happens because of the special sounds crocodiles make when they eat. These actions might push air into their noses. This air then stimulates(刺激) their glands(腺体), making more tears than usual.
So, next time someone is putting on a show of fake sadness, you can not only point out their “crocodile tears” but also impress them with your knowledge of crocodiles! Even though people first understood it a little wrong, it’s a great example of how a lively phrase can come from real animal behaviour.
根据短文内容,回答下列问题。每题答案不超过7个词。
1. What does the phrase “crocodile tears” usually describe?

2. Which book has one of the earliest and most important stories about “crocodile tears”?

3. When did scientists do the study?

4. How many crocodiles shed tears while eating?

5. When do you use the phrase “crocodile tears”?

"鳄鱼的眼泪"用来形容人流假泪、虚情假意。2006年研究证实鳄鱼进食时确实会流泪，但并非出于愧疚，而是进食动作使空气刺激腺体所致。
1. Someone who cries fake tears. 由句子"We use this saying to describe someone who cries fake tears. "可知，我们用鳄鱼的眼泪来形容一个流着假眼泪的人。
2. The Travels of Sir John Mandeville. 由句子"One of the earliest and most important stories comes from a famous 14th-century book called The Travels of Sir John Mandeville."可知答案。
3. In 2006. 由句子"In 2006, scientists did a study. "可知，2006年，科学家们进行了一项研究。
4. Five. 由句子"Out of these seven, five were seen shedding tears while eating. "可判断，在这七条鳄鱼中，有五条在吃东西时流下了眼泪。
5. When I see someone cry fake tears.（言之有理即可）

【分析】
本题为任务型阅读的细节理解题，解题思路是：先明确每个问题的核心关键词，带着关键词快速定位原文对应段落的句子，提取关键信息，同时严格遵循“每题答案不超过7个词”的要求，确保答案简洁准确，贴合原文表述。
【解析】
1. 定位原文第一段关键句“We use this saying to describe someone who cries fake tears.”，提取符合要求的答案；
2. 定位原文第二段关键句“One of the earliest and most important stories comes from a famous 14th-century book called The Travels of Sir John Mandeville.”，提取对应答案；
3. 定位原文第三段关键句“In 2006, scientists did a study.”，提取时间答案；
4. 定位原文第三段关键句“Out of these seven, five were seen shedding tears while eating.”，提取数量答案；
5. 定位原文最后一段关键句“someone is putting on a show of fake sadness”，整理为符合要求的答案。
【答案】
1. Someone who cries fake tears.
2. The Travels of Sir John Mandeville.
3. In 2006.
4. Five.
5. When seeing fake sadness.
【知识点】
任务型阅读、细节理解
【点评】
本题围绕“鳄鱼的眼泪”的来源与科学真相展开，属于任务型阅读的细节类题目，难度较低，只要能准确定位原文对应信息即可作答，需注意答案字数限制。
【难度系数】
0.3